{{Short description|Cultural hubs with rich literary collections}} [[File:Salle de lecture Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevieve n03.jpg|thumb|right|Sainte-Geneviève Library at Sorbonne-Nouvelle University]] Paris, the capital of France, has many of the country's most important libraries. The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF; in English "national library of France") operates public libraries in Paris, among them the François-Mitterrand, Richelieu, Louvois, Opéra, and Arsenal.<ref>"[http://www.bnf.fr/pages/zNavigat/frame/version_anglaise.htm?ancre=english.htm How to find us] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202070012/http://www.bnf.fr/pages/zNavigat/frame/version_anglaise.htm?ancre=english.htm |date=February 2, 2009 }}." ''Bibliothèque nationale de France''. Retrieved 21 January 2009.</ref>
==Overview== In the 2nd arrondissement, the Bibliothèque Richelieu is to a design by Henri Labrouste with nine domes; it opened in 1868. There are three public libraries in the 4th arrondissement. The Bibliothèque Forney, in the Le Marais district, is dedicated to the decorative arts; the Arsenal Library occupies a former military building, and has a large collection on French literature; and the Bibliothèque historique de la ville de Paris, also in Le Marais, contains the Paris historical research service. The Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève at Sorbonne-Nouvelle University is in 5th arrondissement; designed by Henri Labrouste and built in the mid-1800s, it contains a rare book and manuscript division.<ref name=Woodward2006>{{cite news|last=Woodward|first=Richard B.|title=At These Parisian Landmarks, Shhh Is the Word|url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/03/05/travel/05journeys.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|accessdate=4 July 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 5, 2006}}</ref> The Saint-Germain-des-Prés Library at Université Paris Cité is associated with the national public library as a mixed service unit in the Latin Quarter. Situated in the 6th arrondissement, Bibliothèque Mazarine is the oldest public library in France. The Médiathèque Musicale Mahler in the 8th arrondissement opened in 1986 and contains collections related to music. The Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand (nicknamed ''Très Grande Bibliothèque'' i.e. very large library; and part of the BnF) in the 13th arrondissement was completed in 1994 to a design of Dominique Perrault and contains four glass towers.<ref name=Woodward2006 /> In the same arrondissement, Bibliothèque Marguerite Durand opened in 1931 and holds a collection on feminism. The children's library, Petite Bibliothèque Ronde, opened in 1965.
There are several academic libraries and archives in Paris. The Sorbonne Library at Panthéon-Sorbonne University in the 5th arrondissement is the largest university library in Paris. In addition to the library on the Sorbonne site, the other university bearing the same name, Sorbonne University, also has several humanities libraries throughout Paris with its Sorbonne University Library: the Malesherbes Library, the Clignancourt Library, the Michelet Library-Institut d'Art et d'Archéologie, the Serpente Library, and Institut des Etudes Ibériques.<ref>{{cite web|title=Paris-Sorbonne libraries|url=http://www.english.paris-sorbonne.fr/libraries/|publisher=Paris-Sorbonne University|accessdate=4 July 2013|archive-date=3 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703101116/http://www.english.paris-sorbonne.fr/libraries/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Situated in the 7th arrondissement, The American Library in Paris opened on 20 May 1920 and is part of a private, non-profit organisation.<ref>{{cite book|title=The American Society Legion of Honor Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jVRmAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=29 June 2013|year=1955|publisher=American Society of the French Legion of Honor|page=85}}</ref> It originated from cases of books sent by the American Library Association to U.S. soldiers in France. Other academic libraries include Interuniversity Library of Health at Université Paris Cité, Paris School of Mines Library.<ref name=nd.edu>{{cite web|title=French Libraries and Archives|url=http://www.library.nd.edu/help/study-abroad/France.shtml|publisher=University of Notre Dame, Hesburgh Libraries|accessdate=5 July 2013|archive-date=17 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017053726/http://library.nd.edu/help/study-abroad/France.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Opened in 2009, the Sainte-Barbe Library at Sorbonne Nouvelle University is an inter-university library located in the buildings of the former College of St. Barbara.
==See also== * {{illm|Municipal libraries of Paris|fr|Bibliothèques municipales de la ville de Paris}} * List of libraries in France
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commonscat-inline|Libraries in Paris}}
{{library nav}} {{Paris}} {{Authority control}} Category:Libraries in Paris