Liechtenstein

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 Formal Name:            Liechtensteinische Landesbibliothek
 Name of Librarian:     Dr Alois Ospelt
 Address:                    Offentliche Stiftung, Gerberweg 5, Postfach  385, 9490 Vaduz
 Phone:     075-236-6362     Fax:    075-233-1419 
 E-mail:    labibl@lie-net.li

History

 "The 'reading societies,' founded in Vaduz in 1861, Triesen in 1871, and Triesenberg in 1912 must be regarded as the forerunners of the public libraries.  These reading societies remained in existence until the 1930s, providing their members with entertainment of a literary and social nature.  Among other things, they organized theatrical and singing evenings; their goal toward national education can be identified as characteristic of the modern public library.
 The History Society for the Principality of Liechtenstein, founded in 1901, initiated numerous works of historical and national importance and has published the Year Book since its first year.  The Library of the History Society collects mainly Liechtenstein publications and works from the sphere of 'history' and 'historical auxiliary science.'  The society exchanges works with more than 100 history societies and scientific institutions; its library contains approximately 2500 volumes (excluding those works which have been received in exchange).  The books may be borrowed direct through the society or through the intermediary of the State library."

Organization

 "In 1906 the National Teacher's Library was founded by order of the government for the purpose of 'making scientific journals, works of pedagogic-didactic and scientific content, beautiful literature and works of a national character available to the teachers of Liechtenstein.'  As the financial situation of the schools and the teachers improved and it became possible to procure more books by private means and through the schools, the National Teachers' Library became less important and its administration was taken over by the newly established National Library of Liechtenstein.  Since then, publications from the spheres of pedagogy, didacticism, and psychology have been regularly purchased with a special annual credit.  The number of books in the National Teacher's Library in 1960, particularly valuable in the field of Liechtenstein literature, amounted to approximately 1300 volumes.  A further 1200 books have been purchased since 1961."

Buildings and Facilities

 "On the occasion of the celebrations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the sovereignty of Liechtenstein, from 1806 to 1956, the attention of culturally interested circles was focused once more on the absence of a center for the assembly and documentation of national literature.  An initiative committee was formed whose objective was the erection of a small national library.  The committee's efforts were successful: In 1961 the Liechtenstein National Library was founded by law as an independent foundation under public law with domicile in Vaduz.  The State of Liechtenstein is responsible for the library.  The purpose of the National Library is to assemble the most complete collection possible of Liechtenstein literature, to make the necessary specialist literature available to the scientifically active inhabitants of Liechtenstein, and to procure the best books for education and entertainment.  In its aims therefore the library is simultaneously a national library, science library, and public library."
 

Collections

 "The members of the House of Liechtenstein, founders of one of the greatest and most valuable private galleries in the world, also collected and cared for books.  The Princely Library of Liechtenstein, in Vienna, had its beginnings in the sixteenth century.  Before the Second World War the library, rich in book treasures, contained in addition to something like 100,000 volumes of general scientific works, in particular from the realms of 'history,' 'martial science,' and 'art,' a great number of priceless manuscripts, incunabula, woodcuts, engravings, maps, and globes.  The principal item of this booklovers' collection was the collection of Franz von Hauslab, procured in 1883.  The most valuable articles were either carried off during the Russian occupation of Vienna or sold after 1945.  The present library, privately owned by the reigning prince, comprises some 40,000 volumes, in the Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna and 2000 volumes, as house library, in Vaduz Castle.  As its history reveals, the Princely Liechtenstein Library can hardly be regarded as the library of the Principality of Liechtenstein."
 

Catalogs, Bibliographies, and Indexes

 "During its 20 year existence the National Library has developed into a genuine information center in Liechtenstein.  At the moment, approximately 100,000 books are available to library users.  Up to 1980 the publications are listed in conventional card index catalogs; after 1981 they are listed on compact microstrip cards (catalog of authors and subject).
 Since 1974 the National Library has published the Liechtenstein Bibliography annually; this lists the new issues of Liechtenstein literature.  The period between 1960 and 1973 has been recorded bibliographically by a librarian thesis, which also originated from the National Library.  The library is also concerned with closing the gap which still exists in the records of Liechtenstein literature, that is, between the Liechtenstein bibliography up to the year 1910, published by Hanns Bohatta and the of Heidi Rockle covering the period from 1960 to 1973, and plans to continue maintaining the annual publication of the Liechtenstein Bibliography ."

Reference and Reader Services

 "Inhabitants of Liechtenstein who are active in the fields of science particularly appreciate the fact that Swiss and international interlibrary lending facilities are available to them through the mediation of the National Library.  In recent years several new school and local libraries have been established.  These complement the National Library and aid its function as a public library; a desirable development.  Via these school and public libraries the user may also borrow scientific books belonging to the National Library."
 

Statistics (1992)

 Volumes                             160,000
 Audiovisual materials        1,345
 1992 Acquisitions
  Titles                                 4,500
  Audiovisual materials       230
 Periodicals                         15,750
 Circulated items                  60,200
 Interlibrary loans                 1,500
 Interlibrary borrows            540
 Personnel                             6
 

Material taken from the Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science, vol.40, Suppl. 5, pp.315-317.  Statistics supplied by the National Library of Liechtenstein (Liechtensteinische Landesbibliothek Öffentliche Stiftung)