Journey back to the 16th century for a moment. The seeds of what would become the Biblioth\u00e8que municipale de Lyon were sown. This institution stands as a beacon of knowledge and culture in Lyon.
The Biblioth\u00e8que municipale de Lyon is more than just a library. It is a classified municipal library spread across sixteen sites in Lyon. It also manages the regional legal deposit for printed materials from Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes. Its main site is the Biblioth\u00e8que de la Part-Dieu. It is one of Europe’s largest public libraries. It spans approximately 27700 square meters.
Imagine a vast collection of knowledge. The Biblioth\u00e8que municipale de Lyon boasts about 3.8 million documents. These include manuscripts, incunabula and ancient books. There are also artist books, prints and photographs. This collection is second in France only to the Biblioth\u00e8que nationale de France.
The library’s origins trace back to the Coll\u00e8ge de la Trinit\u00e9. The Jesuits managed it from 1565. The books were housed in a room built in the early 17th century. Funding from the Consulate and donations from Jesuit fathers expanded the library. Archbishop Camille de Neufville de Villeroy bequeathed 5000 printed works and manuscripts in 1693.
Initially, the library was exclusive. Only professors could access it. Exceptions were made for outsiders. In 1731, Lyon’s first public library opened in the Saint-Jean district. It was located in the H\u00f4tel Fl\u00e9ch\u00e8re. Consultation was limited to the premises and documents were mainly legal. After the Jesuits were expelled in 1763, the Consulate combined the two collections. This formed the Biblioth\u00e8que de la Ville de Lyon with 40000 documents.
During the Revolution, the library closed. Religious properties were seized. These items were stored in several depots. The chapter of the Saint-Jean cathedral’s collection joined the existing holdings. During the army’s occupation after the siege of Lyon books were taken. Some were sent to Parisian collections. The remaining collection was entrusted to the new \u00c9cole centrale in 1795. The municipality took over management in the early 19th century. Antoine-Fran\u00e7ois Delandine became the first director in 1803.
The 19th century brought significant acquisitions. These included the Charvin legacy in 1842. The Coste collection was added in 1855. The Mestre legacy contained literary texts in 1882. A second municipal library was founded in 1831. It was established by Mayor Gabriel Prunelle. Housed in the Palais Saint-Pierre it focused on science and arts. It was named \u00ab Biblioth\u00e8que du Palais des Arts \u00bb.
Space became an issue. In 1911 the municipality merged the two libraries. They were moved to the Palais Archi\u00e9piscopal. This followed the separation of the Churches and the State. Key acquisitions included the Morins-Pons legacy in 1905. This contained historical prints. The collections of the Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 de G\u00e9ographie de Lyon in 1921 were added.
Today, the Biblioth\u00e8que municipale de Lyon stands as a testament to Lyon’s commitment to knowledge. It is a place where history and innovation meet. The Biblioth\u00e8que municipale de Lyon continues to evolve. It serves as a vital resource for the city and beyond.