The Library
The library at Rijksmuseum Boerhaave holds unique historical books, works, and archives from Dutch scientists and physicians. You will also find information about scientific instruments and their makers. The collection includes journals and foreign books covering scientific developments in the Netherlands.
Visiting the Library?
Would you like to view the unique archives and books of Rijksmuseum Boerhaave? You can make an appointment by calling 071-7519940 or emailing collectie@rijksmuseumboerhaave.nl
The library is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. It is closed on weekends and public holidays (including May 5).
Explore the Collection
The collection at Rijksmuseum Boerhaave includes around 126,000 objects, books, prints, and visual materials.
Discover the Unique Collection of Rijksmuseum Boerhaave
In the reading room, you can view unique archives and books from before 1900, including manuscripts, letters, and photos. Books published after 1900 that are not unique can be borrowed with a valid ID.
Search the Book Catalog
Books and Archives
The library at Rijksmuseum Boerhaave offers a unique collection of books on the history of mathematics, natural sciences, and medicine in the Netherlands. Here, you will find rare works, from early publications by Dutch scientists to catalogs of scientific instruments not available anywhere else in the country. Our oldest book is a herbarium from 1484.
We also manage archives of renowned scientists such as Willem Einthoven and Paul Ehrenfest, along with smaller archives containing documents on scientific instruments, letters, and notes.
Questions? Feel free to contact us or explore the collection yourself.
