Requesting materials
Please use the online catalogue for requests from the closed stacks, both in the reading rooms and from home.
Survey on our library services
KBR launches the LibQUAL+ survey in order to improve its library services. Let us know what you expect from us!
What is LibQUAL+ ?
The World of Bruegel in Black and White
Visit the exhibition that brings together KBR’s complete collection of prints by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
Opening hours in July and August
In July and August, KBR is closed on weekends and closes every day of the week at 5 pm.
Reading rooms closed, Bruegel open
Christmas opening hours
From 25 December to 1 January, the reading rooms will be closed.
The Bruegel exhibition and the restaurant are open, with these exceptions:
– on 24/12 and 31/12 KBR closes at 5 p.m.
– on 25/12 and 01/01 KBR is closed.
The KBR museum reopens on 8 December
Come discover the Library of the Dukes of Burgundy. Buy your tickets today and visit from 8 December.
Het KBR museum heropent op 8 december
Venez découvrir la Librairie des ducs de Bourgogne. Achetez maintenant vos tickets pour une visite dès le 8 décembre.
Bruegel: offer for groups
The World of Bruegel in Black and White
The World of Bruegel in Black and White
Book a guided tour
Restaurant closed for alterations
15 May 2020 is the provisional opening date of our brand new restaurant, a contemporary food concept.
KBR closed this afternoon
Due to a general power cut at the Mont des Arts KBR will have to close the doors for the rest of the day. We apologise for the inconvenience.
Copying is not a crime
On the contrary: before the invention of printing, there was no other means of reproducing a text. A book was a manuscript, which literally means “handwritten”.
Kopiëren is geen misdrijf
Integendeel: vóór de uitvinding van de boekdrukkunst bestaat er geen andere manier om een tekst te reproduceren. Een boek was een manuscript, wat letterlijk “met de hand geschreven” betekent.
Digital resources can be accessed from home
Although KBR has to close its doors for a few weeks due to the adapted health measures, you can still access all our online resources.
The general reading room is reopening. You need to reserve a seat before coming to KBR.
KBR is temporarily closed
Due to the extra sanitary measures in the Brussels region, KBR will be closed until 7 December.
We reopen on 8 December.
Méfiez-vous des lapins
Au Moyen Âge, les lapins ne sont pas de petits animaux innocents…
Two unknown works by Johann Sebastian Bach discovered at KBR
In the exceptional Fétis collection, preserved at the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR), two previously unknown organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach have been discovered. These pieces, recently authenticated by the Bach Archive Leipzig, were presented on 17 November during an exceptional concert in the Thomaskirche in Leipzig.
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The Library of the Dukes of Burgundy: Centuries-old splendor now digitally accessible
KBR preserves 279 manuscripts from the prestigious Library of the Dukes of Burgundy. Thanks to an ambitious digitization project, this exceptional collection is now fully available online. Zoom in on the finest details of the most beautiful miniatures and admire art of the highest calibre.
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Strengthening Knowledge Exchange: KBR Welcomes Colleagues from the National Library of Latvia
KBR is part of a broad network connecting all European national libraries. As Belgium’s national scientific library, international collaboration is not only a legal mandate on paper but also a key part of our daily work.
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The Navez Project : a sandbox for interns
Our PhD researcher Fien Messens looks back on a year and a half of the Navez Project, the comings and goings of interns, and the reasons why this approach works so well.
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The Gulf of Mexico. Today’s politics and yesterday’s maps
On January 7, 2025, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to issue an executive order […]
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From one to many voices: the rise of polyphony
Brett Kostrzewski, postdoctoral researcher at KU Leuven, guides you through the world of late-medieval music manuscripts from the Low Countries.
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Opening weekend KBR museum
On May 23rd, 2025, the KBR museum reopens its doors with a new musical experience ! […]
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Reopening of the KBR Museum on May 23, 2025
The KBR Museum, the place where the manuscript collection of the Burgundian dukes shines, will reopen its doors on May 23, 2025. Thanks to a unique musical experience, visitors will now be able to enjoy the magical polyphony of the 15th and 16th centuries in the museum.
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The Belgian Bibliography: 150 years of preserving Belgian publishing
150 years ago, in February 1875, the first issue of the Belgian Bibliography was published. To mark this milestone anniversary, we delve into its history, evolution, and future perspectives.
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The BelgicaPress portal of KBR now includes newspapers from the German-speaking Community.
Thanks to a collaboration with the Zentrum für Ostbelgische Geschichte (ZOG), BelgicaPress has been expanded to include roughly 171,000 pages of newspapers from the German-speaking Community.
Continue reading “The BelgicaPress portal of KBR now includes newspapers from the German-speaking Community.”
Online resources
With your free MyKBR account you have remote access to the entire digital offer.
A book defies time
The KBR museum turns the page. We will share an interesting fact weekly about the prestigious Library of the Dukes of Burgundy. This week: A book defies time! The manuscripts of the Burgundian dukes are little time machines.
Guided tours at the KBR museum
From now on it is possible to book a guided tour at the KBR museum. Discover the fascinating 15th century together with an experienced guide!
WiFi disruption possible on 29/09
On Wednesday 29/09, there may be disruptions on our WiFi-network throughout the day because of scheduled maintenance.
Guided tours in the library
Guided tours are possible from Monday to Saturday. Tours needs to be booked at least 3 weeks in advance via rqhp@xoe.or.