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Libraries

This section includes only libraries in the Netherlands and Belgium. For a listing of 3000 art libraries worldwide, see: 

IFLA directory of art libraries, maintained by the art libraries section of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.

Address guides

Nederlandse bibliotheek- en documentatiegids. Adresboek van in Nederland gevestigde bibliotheken en documentatieinstellingen, The Hague 1984-...
A complete survey of general and subject libraries and documentation centres in The Netherlands, published every two years.

Vlaamse archief-, bibliotheek- en documentatiegids. Adresboek van in Vlaanderen en Brussel gevestigde archieven, bibliotheken en documentatiecentra, Antwerpen 1993-...
The Flemish equivalent of the Nederlandse bibliotheek- en documentatiegids.

Collections of art-historical documentation in The Netherlands, part of the website of OKBN*ARLIS/NL
The most complete address guide voor art libraries in The Netherlands, compiled by OKBN*ARLIS/NL. Besides giving practical information, the descriptions inform about scope and character of collection.

Inventaris kunstbibliotheken uit Vlaanderen en Brussel, part of the website of OKBV
Extensive guide to art libraries in Flanders and Brussels, compiled by OKBV, the organization for art libraries in Flanders. Gives practical information and remarks concerning content and specializations.

Online library catalogues

PiCarta
The PiCarta catalogue system contains the catalogues of the Royal Library, all Dutch university libraries and some 600 other (pubic, institutional and company) libraries. Additionally PiCarta gives access to databases like Online Contents, Netfirst (a catalogue of internet resources) and some specialized databases, like the Repertorium Geschiedenis Nederland (Repertory for Dutch history).
PiCarta is not publicly accessible free of charge. You need an IBL-account consisting of a username and password. Such an account can be acquired from libraries which use OCLC PICA services (Royal Library, university libraries). With an IBL-account you can search in the databases. If you wish to perform delivery requests of books to your library or obtain photocopies of articles to your home address you must have a deposit with an OCLC PICA affiliated library. While most libraries allow access from your home address, a few libraries only permit access from within the library itself.

Koninklijke Bibliotheek (Royal Library)
PO Box 90407
NL-2509 LK The Hague
Visiting address:
Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5
The Hague
T +31 70 314 0911
F +31 70 314 0450
E www.kb.nl/contact

Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België / Bibliothèque Royale de Belgique (Royal Library of Belgium)
Keizerslaan 4
B-1000 Brussels
Visiting address:
Kunstberg
T +32 2 519 5311
F +32 2 519 5533
E

Virtueller Katalog Kunstgeschichte (VKK)
One-search access to the catalogues of major art libraries, such as

LIBIS
The joint catalogue of the libraries of the Catholic University Leuven and several other libraries, i.e. Katholieke Universiteit Brussel, Koninklijke Musea voor Kunst en Geschiedenis, St. Lucas Brussels and Ghent.

Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie (RKD), The Hague

Instituut Collectie Nederland (ICN) / Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam 

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam 

Koninklijke Musea voor Kunst en Geschiedenis, Brussels 

Universiteit van Amsterdam 

Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam 

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen 

Universiteit Leiden 

Radboud Universiteit, Nijmegen 

Erasmus Universiteit, Rotterdam 

Universiteit Utrecht