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Sfeerbeeld bijna volledig gevulde boekenplak in kast in Nottebohmzaal

The Library

You can consult all items in the collection of the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library in our Reading Room. Here you may also reproduce documents and check our digital databases. If you want to learn more about our library and its heritage collections, then sign up for one of our introductory sessions or workshops.

Practical information

Catalogus

Catalogue

Sfeerbeeld leeszaal gebruiker doorbladert grote oude druk

Reading room

Ordering and using reproductions

Two international scientists receive travel grant to Antwerp (2025-2026)

Two international scientists receive travel grant to conduct research in Antwerp in the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and the museum Plantin-Moretus.

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Groepsfoto studenten en professoren onderzoeksgroep READSEARCH van PXL-MAD School of Arts in Nottebohmzaal

From student programme to exhibition: Design for Digital Reading

What can a book from the 17th century teach us about digital reading? During the three-year programme Design for Digital Reading, a team of students, instructors and curators delved into the Heritage Library’s historical collection. The assignment was just as simple as it was complex: use the analogue books as a breeding ground for digital reading innovations. The result? An exposition full of innovative prototypes that redefine the boundaries of reading and experience. 

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Meet our experts

Curators of old prints and manuscripts

Steven Van Impe and Marie-Charlotte Le Bailly

Old prints are books, newspapers and magazines made before the art of book printing was industrialised, which was around the 1800s. That is why every old print is unique, just like manuscripts. Each copy is separately designed, printed and bound and that is what makes them so special. Our two curators would love to help you in your research. 

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Portretfoto conservator moderne drukken Marlou de Bont voor boekenkast in Nottebohmzaal

Curator of modern prints

Marlou de Bont

From the 19th century onwards, the book becomes a mass-produced item, printed with the help of the industrial printing press on machine-made paper. This kind of mechanisation happens little by little. In our collection policy, we date the transition to the year 1830. From then on, we speak of ‘modern prints’. Curator Marlou de Bont manages this extensive part of our collection. Do you have research questions about the modern prints in our collection? Feel free to contact her. 

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Portretfoto_Mieke

Cataloguing system

Mieke Lietaer

How do you find the right books and materials in our vast collection of nearly 800.000 titles? Every edition is carefully described in our extensive catalogue. This way, users can find what they are looking for in different manners. However, that can only happen when the descriptions are accurate and complete. Mieke Lietaer is responsible for the cataloguing system.  

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Portretfoto_Alexandra

Collection management and repository work

Alexandra Noël

The Heritage Library collection is unique. More than 1.5 million volumes, of which 40.000 rare, old prints from before 1830. It is a whole task to preserve such a treasure with the utmost care for the generations to come. Alexandra Noël coordinates the preservation and management of our collection.  

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Portretfoto Marie-Charlotte Le Bailly voor de globes in de Nottebohmzaal

Public and research

Marie-Charlotte Le Bailly

The Heritage Library Hendrik Conscience works very differently than other libraries. Our collection consists of fragile heritage, so our consultation is adapted to that fact. Our curator of Public and Research Marie-Charlotte Le Bailly and our team in the reading room make sure that clients can find what they are looking for quickly and smoothly, either physically in the reading room or online. That is why we like to work closely with researchers. Most of the services we offer are actually free of charge as well.  

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Portretfoto_Leni

Public engagement and venue rental

Leni Albertyn

Who has never heard of our Nottebohm room? The impressive historical library is famous in all of Antwerp and beyond. That is partly thanks to Leni Albertyn. Besides the regular public engagement, she also manages the rental of this unique room. This can be for lectures, guest workshops and even television recordings from here and abroad. She makes sure everyone feels welcome.  

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Educational coordinator

Thomas Martin

Our educational mission is all about information literacy. How do you adequately and critically work with the information that is available today? Thanks to our collection, a true treasure trove of information, we have a lot of experience on this subject ourselves, which we pass on to schools. We also focus on education online. Thomas Martin is our educational coordinator. 

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