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Collection size: SMALL | MEDIUM | LARGE | INDETERMINATE
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European Catalogs (A - L)

Austria

Austrian Union Catalog (Österreichischer Bibliothekenverbund: Gesamtkatalog) | LARGE | GERMAN
Does not include contents of card catalogs, which most major Austrian libraries have.

Austrian Regional Libraries (Die Österreischen Landesbibliotheken) | MEDIUM | GERMAN
Make sure all boxes under "Verfügbare Datenbanken" are checked, then type search criteria into "Schnellsuche" field on the left and click the "Suche starten" button.

Austrian National Library, 1501-1929 | LARGE | ???
Don't bother looking in 1930-1991 or 1992-present catalogs.

University of Vienna, Card Catalog | LARGE | GERMAN
Most of the University of Vienna's early modern holdings are in this catalog, which is organized by author (Nominalkatalog), rather than in the OPAC.

Universities of Innsbruck & Graz Card Catalogs | MEDIUM | GERMAN
Select "Alle Kataloge" to search both Innsbruck and Graz.

University of Innsbruck, Faculty of Theology Card Catalog | MEDIUM | GERMAN
Organized by author.

Styrian State Library (Graz) Card Catalog | MEDIUM | GERMAN
Organized by author.

Technical University of Vienna Card Catalog | SMALL | GERMAN
Search any terms under "Freitext-Suche."

Belgium

A page listing many libraries and catalogs can be found here, though it is out of date.

Anet (Netwerk van Wetenschappelijke Bibliotheken in Antwerpen en Limburg) | LARGE | ENGLISH, FRENCH, DUTCH
Antwerp-area academic library Union Catalog.

Belgian National Library | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, FRENCH, DUTCH
Poor search interface. Search both "catalogue principal" and "catalogue rètrospectif" carefully.

University of Leuven | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, FRENCH, DUTCH
LIBIS is the university and Leuven-area union catalog.

University of Ghent | MEDIUM | ENGLISH
MeerCat searches card catalogs and OPAC simultaneously.

Université libre de Bruxelles | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, FRENCH

Université catholique de Louvain | MEDIUM | FRENCH

Liège University | MEDIUM | FRENCH
Telnet-only interface (click "Consultation du catalogue"; in Windows a telnet session should open automatically).

CAGEWEB Card Catalog (Catalogus Gentse Wetenschappelijke Bibliotheken) | LARGE | DUTCH
Ghent-area union catalog, including many non-university libraries.

Bosnia/Herzegovina

National Union Catalog | INDETERMINATE | ENGLISH, BOSNIAN

Croatia

There is a useful list of Croatian libraries and union catalogs (in English) here. For Eastern European catalogs generally, the "national bibliography" pages on this UIUC website are very good, especially for the translations and step-by-step directions they offer.

National Library catalogs, Union Catalog | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, CROATIAN
The national library OPAC, card catalogs, and Croatian union catalog are all accessible from this site.

Rijeka University Union Catalog | MEDIUM | ???

Czech Republic

Czech Republic Union Catalog | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, CZECH
Doesn't say "union catalog" anywhere, but SKC or SKCR are Czech acronyms to this effect. Does not include some important OPACs and card catalogs (see below).

National Library OPAC | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, CZECH
Most of the national library's early modern holdings are in the ...

National Library Card Catalogs | LARGE | ENGLISH, CZECH
Search in "General Catalogue I."

Moravian Library (Brno) Card Catalog | MEDIUM | CZECH
Search in the "do roku 1950" ("to 1950") catalog.

Charles University (Prague) Union Catalog | SMALL | ENGLISH, CZECH
To search, first click the button showing a magnifying glass trained on houses and check all libraries (otherwise, relatively few will be searched), then press the button showing houses to search.

Masaryk University (Brno) Card Catalog | SMALL | CZECH
Search in "Jmenný katalog (1957-1996)."

Study and Research Library of the Pilsen Region (Pilsen) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, CZECH
Search in "MK - The Catalogue of Non-Serial Publications."

Olomouc Research Library | LARGE | ENGLISH, CZECH

National Academy of Sciences (Prague) Card Catalog | SMALL | ENGLISH, CZECH

National Museum (Prague) Card Catalog | SMALL | CZECH
Search both "Lístkový katalog" (card catalog) and "On-line katalog."

Denmark

bibliotek.dk | INDETERMINATE | ENGLISH, DANISH
The national union catalog, but it does not allow users without an account at a Danish library to see where books are located.

National Library/Copenhagen University Library | SMALL | X
Many early modern holdings probably lost in an eighteenth-century fire.

State and University Library of Aarhus | LARGE | X

Finland

LINNEA | INDETERMINATE | ENGLISH, FINNISH, SWEDISH
The national union catalog. It can only be accessed by paying a fee via a Finnish or Swedish mobile phone.

HELKA | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, FINNISH, SWEDISH
Union catalog of Helsinki-area libraries, including the National Library and University of Helsinki libraries.

Turku University | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, FINNISH, SWEDISH

Abo Akademi University Library | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, FINNISH, SWEDISH
Swedish-language university in Turku.

France

Catalogue collectif de France | LARGE | FRENCH
("Localisation de documents") Union catalog of a huge number of French university, municipal, and other secular libraries. Does not include card catalogs. Occasionally sparse bibliographic information.

Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris | LARGE | FRENCH
While technically included in the CCFR, the bibliographic information there is often confusing, and a separate search in the BN's OPAL-PLUS catalog is necessary to get exact bibliographic information, especially when the library has multiple copies of a single work. Be sure to click the links to bibliographic notes, as what appear to be several copies are sometimes just different volumes (or vice versa).

Bibliothèque interuniversitaire de mèdecine et d'ontologie, Paris | LARGE | FRENCH
Not included in the CCFR.

Germany

Baden-Württemberg/South-West Germany Union Catalog (BSZ/SWB) | LARGE | ENGLISH, GERMAN

Bavarian Union Catalog (BVB) | LARGE | GERMAN

Hesse Union Catalog (HeBIS) | LARGE | GERMAN
Make sure to look at both OPAC and card catalog results.

Nordrhein-Westfalia Union Catalog (HBZ) | LARGE | GERMAN

Northern Germany Union Catalog (GBV = Gemeinsamer Bibliotheksverbund) | LARGE | ENGLISH, GERMAN
Union catalog for Bremen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thüringen, Prussia Cultural Foundation.

Union Catalog, Berlin-Brandenburg | MEDIUM | GERMAN
Union catalogs for Berlin and Brandenburg (surrounding province) libraries, no English version. Click "Schnellsuche," then KOBV-Berlin to do searches on all Berlin academic libraries, KOBV-Brandenburg to search all Brandenburg libraries (Brandenburg does not include Berlin). Some early modern holdings from both searches at libraries not included in GBV, such as Humboldt University, Potsdam University, Berlin Academy of Sciences, others.

Northern Germany Public Libraries (ÖVK = Verbundkatalog Öffentlicher Bibliotheken) | SMALL | ???
Union catalog for public (municipal) libraries within GBV boundaries.

Das Verzeichnis der im deutschen Sprachraum erschi | MEDIUM | GERMAN
VD17 and its twin, VD16, are essential tools for early modernist scholars, not least since they are intended to be complete bibliographies for the time period, which goes beyond the scope of a 'normal' library catalog.

Berlin State Library (Staatsbibliothek Berlin) | LARGE | ENGLISH, GERMAN
The de facto national library, included in a GBV search, but a separate search should be done in the Staatsbibliothek catalog. Bibliographic information (on how many copies, volumes, etc.) can be difficult to interpret in GBV.

Palatinate Regional Library (Pfälzische Landesbibliothek) Card Catalog, Speyer | MEDIUM | GERMAN
Make sure "Pfälz. LB Speyer" is highlighted.

Bibliotheca Bipontina Card Catalog, Zweibrücken | MEDIUM | GERMAN
Make sure "Bipontina ZW" is highlighted.

Kaiserdom Gymnasium Card Catalog, Kaiserdom | MEDIUM | GERMAN
Make sure "Kaiserdom-Gymnasium" is highlighted.

Hungary

Hungarian Union Catalog (MOKKA) | LARGE | ENGLISH, HUNGARIAN
Searches mostly academic libraries in Hungary. Most early modern holdings are at Szeged University, Szeged.

National Library, Budapest | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, HUNGARIAN
Several catalogs can be searched from this page.

Iceland

Union Catalog (GEGNIR) | SMALL | ENGLISH, ICELANDIC

Ireland

National Library of Ireland | SMALL | ENGLISH

Marsh Library, Dublin | MEDIUM | ENGLISH
Ireland's first public library (founded 1701).

Trinity College, Dublin | MEDIUM | ENGLISH
Search in "Early Printed Books."

Queen's University, Belfast | MEDIUM | ENGLISH

Italy

Union Catalog (Instituto Centrale per il Catalogo Unico) | LARGE | ITALIAN
Includes many academic, public, and some theological library catalogs from all of Italy. Generally excellent bibliographic information.

Historical Card Catalog Database (Cataloghi Storici) | LARGE | ENGLISH, ITALIAN
This catalog is "historical" only in the sense that it's a card catalog; it is the only way of finding copies of early modern works from many important libraries in Naples, Bari, Florence, Pisa, etc. Slow interface. Search "Basic Search" under "Card Catalogues," not "Volume Catalogues" or "All Catalogues."

Trieste University | SMALL | ITALIAN, CZECH
Some of its early modern holdings are in the ICCU.

Archiginnasio Library, Bologna | MEDIUM | ITALIAN

Biblioteca Marucelliana, Florence | MEDIUM | ITALIAN

Uffizi Gallery Library, Florence | SMALL | ENGLISH

Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana | LARGE | ENGLISH, ITALIAN

Südtirol Union Catalog (EHB = Erschliessung Historischer Bibliotheken) | LARGE | ENGLISH, ITALIAN, GERMAN
Interesting union catalog containing a mix of academic and theological libraries from the Bolzano/Bressanone area. Unusual among catalogs in listing the provenance of many copies which come from defunct theological establishments and now reside in Bolzano.

Latvia

TBA

Lithuania

TBA

Luxembourg

National Library | LARGE | FRENCH
Search both "catalogue bibnet.lu à partir de 1985" and "fonds non luxembourgeois de la BnL."

European Catalogs (M - Z)

Macedonia

National Union Catalog | MEDIUM | ENGLISH

Netherlands

National Union Catalog (PiCarta) | INDETERMINATE | ENGLISH, DUTCH, GERMAN
Membership in a Dutch library is required to gain access. There seems to be a way to buy a pass by mail through the National Library, which would be worth looking into for anyone doing frequent searches. However, Dutch libraries are (more or less) integrated into WorldCat, so a search there along with searches in the following catalogs is the functional equivalent of a PiCarta search.

National Library, The Hague | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, DUTCH

Leiden University | LARGE | ENGLISH, DUTCH

Nijmegen Catholic University | LARGE | ENGLISH, DUTCH

Utrecht University | LARGE | ENGLISH, DUTCH

Free University of Amsterdam (UBVU) | LARGE | ENGLISH, DUTCH

Erasmus University, Rotterdam | LARGE | ENGLISH, DUTCH

University of Amsterdam | LARGE | ENGLISH, DUTCH

University of Maastricht | LARGE | ENGLISH, DUTCH

Frisian Historical and Literary Center (Leeuwarden) (TRESOAR) | LARGE | ENGLISH, DUTCH
Click the British flag, then go to "Research," "Library." TRESOAR holds the collections of the University of Franeker, which was disbanded by Napoleon in 1811, but had previously been considered a rival university to Leiden.

University of Tilburg | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, DUTCH

University of Groningen | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, DUTCH

Zeeuwse Bibliotheek Middelburg (Zealander Library) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, FRENCH, DUTCH

Stadsarchief en Athenaeumbibliotheek Deventer (City Archive and Athenaeum) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, DUTCH

Norway

Norwegian Union Catalog (BIBSYS) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, NORWEGIAN
Most early modern holdings are at the University of Trondheim.

Oslo University Card Catalog | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, NORWEGIAN
Some early modern holdings, not included in BIBSYS.

Poland

Jagiellonian University (card catalog) | LARGE | POLISH

Ossolinski Library (Ossolineum) | MEDIUM | POLISH
The manuscript and early printed books catalog. Translations of the categories are: autor (author), haslo rzeczowe (keyword), tematyka (topic), rodzaj (type), czas powstania rekopisu (date of manuscript), szukaj (search), and wyczysc (clear). We suggest de-selecting Szukaj tylko pelnych wyrazow (search only certain phrases) because it will allow for more hits.

Kornik Library Catalog | INDETERMINATE | ENGLISH, POLISH
NB: The catalog is hosted at an affiliated site; the site of the actual library is here.

Portugal

National Union Catalog (PORBASE) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, PORTUGUESE
Includes the National Library.

Russia

Russian State Library (Moscow) | LARGE | ENGLISH, RUSSIAN
Click the British flag for English.

Serbia

Slovakia

National Library (Martin) | LARGE | ???

Union Catalog | MEDIUM | ???

Slovenia

Slovenia Union Catalog (COBISS) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH
Efficient portal for a wide range of Slovenian libraries (includes a "Maritime Library").

Spain

Catálogo Colectivo del Patrimonio Bibliográfico (CCPB) | LARGE | ENGLISH, SPANISH
National union catalog of public and private library holdings from the 15th century forward; constantly updated.

Biblioteca Nacional de España, Madrid | LARGE | ENGLISH, SPANISH
Make sure to change "Precise search" to "ALL types of documents." Most of the National Library's early modern holdings are not in the BN's own electronic catalog, but almost all can be accessed through the CCPB above.

Network of Spanish University Libraries (REBIUN) | LARGE | ENGLISH, SPANISH, FRENCH, CATALAN, EUSKERA, GALEGO
Great interface, very good bibliographic information.

Sweden

National Union Catalog (LIBRIS) | LARGE | ENGLISH, SWEDISH
Seems to consist of academic libraries plus the national library.

Linnköping City Library (Linnköping Stadsbibliothek) | MEDIUM | X
Largest municipal library in Sweden; not included in LIBRIS.

Switzerland

National Library, Bern (Helveticat) | SMALL | X

Basel/Bern Union Catalog (IDS Basel/Bern) | LARGE | GERMAN
Basel and Bern libraries, including all university and city libraries.

Western Switzerland Union Catalog (RERO) | LARGE | FRENCH
Academic and public libraries in French Switzerland.

University of Zürich (IDS Zürich) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, GERMAN

Zürich Union Catalog (NEBIS) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN
Zürich libraries beyond the University, such as ETH, city library, etc.

Swiss Virtual Catalog (CHVK) | MEDIUM | FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN
KVK-like union catalog of a range of Swiss libraries not in other catalogs (including Italian Swiss ones).

Luzern Union Catalog (IDS Luzern) | MEDIUM | GERMAN
Luzern-area libraries.

Luzern Central Library Card Catalog (Zentral- und Hochschulbibliothek) | MEDIUM | GERMAN
Search by author under "Ordnugsworten." Some early modern holdings are not included in IDS Luzern; make sure to look for results in all four catalogs after searching.

University of Neuchâtel Card Catalog | MEDIUM | FRENCH, GERMAN
Some early modern holdings are not included in RERO.

University of St. Gallen (IDS St. Gallen) | SMALL | GERMAN

United Kingdom

Includes England, Scotland, Wales; Northern Ireland is included in "Ireland" above.

UK Research Libraries Union Catalog (COPAC) | LARGE | ENGLISH
Searches the biggest academic and other research libraries in the UK, mostly in England (in Scotland, for example, searches Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, but not St. Andrews or Stirling).

British Library, London | LARGE | ENGLISH
A COPAC search includes the British Library, but a separate search in the BL catalog is useful.

London-area Consortium of Academic Libraries Union Catalog (M25) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH
Searches a range of libraries in greater London (all the way to the south coast) not included in other catalogs, such as UCL and the University of Kent (Canterbury).

London Public Libraries | SMALL | ENGLISH
Site which allows a simultaneous search of all London public libraries.

Scottish Union Catalog (CAIRNS) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH
Site allowing a simultaneous search of (apparently) all Scottish libraries. CAIRNS can be very slow if all libraries are selected; for faster searches uncheck Aberdeen U, Edinburgh U, Glasgow U, and the National Library of Scotland, as their collections are already in COPAC. Early modern holdings are principally at St. Andrews and Stirling.

National Library of Wales (Aberystwyth) | SMALL | ENGLISH
Early modern holdings generally do not turn up in a COPAC search.

University of Lampeter (Lampeter, Wales) | MEDIUM | ENGLISH
Welsh university. Probably more early modern holdings than the national library.

Central / South American Catalogs

Argentina

Pre-1800 Catalog of the Biblioteca Nacional de la República Argentina | INDETERMINATE | SPANISH
Argentinian Union Catalog of books published prior to 1800.

Brazil

Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil | INDETERMINATE | PORTUGUESE
Under "Catálogos," at left, select "Obras raras" and make sure to search both catalogs (works catalogued prior to, and after, 1982) that appear.

Colombia

Mexico