Burgerbibliothek of Bern (Burger Library), Bern

The Burger Library (Burgerbibliothek) of Bern, located on Münstergasse in Bern, is a public library rich in history and cultural significance. Originating from the Reformation era, it was originally a shared institution between the city of Bern and the University of Bern until 1951. Following its reestablishment as a separate entity, it became a central cultural institution of the Burgergemeinde of Bern.

Today, the Burger Library functions as a comprehensive archive and research hub, housing an extensive collection of historical documents. Its impressive holdings include around 30,000 pictorial records and 1,000 valuable codices, some dating back to late antiquity. The collection features notable works such as the illustrated late medieval Berner Chronik by Diebold Schilling the Elder and Liber ad honorem Augusti.

In addition to these treasures, it also manages administrative and private archives, a Graphics Collection, Photographic Archives, and a substantial collection of manuscripts. These resources illuminate the rich history of both Bern and Switzerland, serving scholars and the general public alike through its open-access Reading Room.

As a center of expertise for private archives and a repository of international importance, the Library of Bern diligently indexes and preserves documents from the early Middle Ages to the present day, including long-term digital data archiving. Through its events and publications, the library actively contributes to the city's cultural vitality and serves as a unique resource documenting the history of the Burgergemeinde of Bern, its guilds, societies, and institutions.