The origin of the six million items strong library goes as far back as the 19th century. A quick numerical breakdown: 45000 rare books, 700000 engravings and drawings, 150000 maps, 9.200 microfilms, five million books  and a quarter million other objects. In short, this is one of the country’s most important buildings. Its divided into several sections: Center for American Studies, Coins and Medals, Maps and Plans Reading Room, Music Reading Room, Newspapers and Contemporary Media Reading Room, Prints Reading Room and the Rare Books Reading Room. Visit Library website for upcoming events and exhibitions. Also, check out the Librarium, which is about the  history of books, writing, and libraries. There is an urban garden on the roof top.

• Check out the shop and cafeteria on the 5th floor.

• Subway 1 and 5; Buses 38, 48, 86, N04, N05, N06, N10, N11, N12, N13, N16, N18, NAV stop Gare Centrale
• Trams 92 and 93 stop Palais
• Brussels Central Station
• Buses 48, 95 stop Brussels Parlement

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