The Boekentoren (Booktower) is the central entity of the Ghent University Library network that serves scholars, lecturers, students, and visitors with a diverse collection and a broad range of services. The Boekentoren manages a large digital library, with more than 300,000 e-books and the Academic Bibliography, which gathers over 300,000 publications by Ghent University researchers. The building itself is a remarkable monument, and a recognised heritage library, housing one of the largest and richest heritage collections in the Low Countries. The Boekentoren is responsible for the physical and digital management of this collection.

Spanning over  65 km of material in total, the collection is exceptionally varied. The heritage collection includes papyrus, medieval manuscripts, early modern prints, letters, and the archives of artists and scholars, alongside rare books, maps, and photographs built up over centuries. More than 50 items in the collection are officially recognized as Flemish Masterpieces (Vlaamse Topstukken), underlining the exceptional value and rarity of the holdings. Around one million items from this collection have been digitised and made freely available online.

In collaboration with researchers, students, volunteers, and partners, the library contributes to knowledge creation through education, research, public participation, and the use of collection items in exhibitions and educational projects at local, national, and international levels. This drive shapes the library’s mission: to promote knowledge creation through openness and accessibility, expert service, and a strong digital connection between the public and its collections, extending well beyond the university community to create societal impact through the collections.

Website: https://boekentoren.gent/en

Browse the collection: https://lib.ugent.be/en