SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library Народна Библиотека Sofia

Overview

The SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library (Народна Библиотека Св. св. Кирил и Методий) is Bulgaria's national library and the largest library in the country. Located in central Sofia, it serves as the principal repository for Bulgaria's national documentary and cultural heritage, holding collections that span from medieval manuscripts to contemporary publications.

History and Founding

The library was founded in 1878, the year of Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule, initially as the Sofia Public Library. It became the National Library of Bulgaria in 1880 and was subsequently named after the Byzantine missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius, who created the Glagolitic script—the precursor to the Cyrillic alphabet—in the ninth century. The institution's current building in the centre of Sofia was opened in 1953.

Collections and Holdings

The National Library holds over six million items, including books, periodicals, manuscripts, maps, music scores, photographs, and audiovisual materials. Its manuscript department contains medieval Bulgarian manuscripts and early Cyrillic printed books of outstanding historical significance. The Rare Books and Old Prints department holds publications from the Bulgarian National Revival period and early modern publications. For journalism and media researchers, the library maintains comprehensive collections of Bulgarian periodicals and newspapers from the nineteenth century to the present, as well as materials related to the history of Bulgarian publishing and the press.

Access and Usage

The library is open to researchers and the general public. Reading room access requires registration. The National Library also maintains an online digital catalogue and has undertaken digitisation projects to expand online access to its collections. The library serves as the national deposit library for Bulgaria, receiving copies of all publications produced in the country.