Collection

The Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library spans more than five centuries of Antwerp and Flemish history. Its unique and complete collection encompasses rare old editions as well as more contemporary publications and popular, contemporary periodicals, on paper, microfilm or in digital form.

Venue rental and filming

Our stunning Nottebohm Room is the perfect setting for a lecture, a seminar, a film shoot or a book launch. You can also rent the Eekhoud Cabinet.

The Nottebohm Room

As well as being used for book storage and as an exhibition space, the Nottebohm Room is also the place where some of the highlights of the collection are kept. It is only open to individual visitors from July 19 until August 30, 2026.

Catalogue

Search our online catalogue.

The Nottebohm Room is open to individual visitors

From 19 June to 30 August 2026

This summer, the Nottebohm Room is opening its doors once again for the public to enjoy.

Expo 'The Antwerp Songbook'

Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library

The library for Dutch literature, Flemish cultural heritage and the history of Antwerp

The library for Dutch literature, the history of Antwerp, and Flemish cultural heritage

Reading room

In our reading room you can consult all collection items of the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library. You can also search our digital databases and have reproductions made. For those who want to get to know the library and its heritage collections in more detail, there are our introductory sessions or workshops.

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.  

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.