Special collections treasure trove

The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG

Themes	Description
Alexandria Library Network	The Alexandria Library Network is a network of 15 libraries and documentation services of the Federal Administration and other publicly funded institutions. It is coordinated by the Library Am Guisanplatz, which is also responsible for the Alexandria search portal, in which all the library holdings are listed. The network is a member of the Swiss Library Service Platform SLSP. The holdings of all swisscovery libraries are accessible via the portal.
Albert von Escher collection	The Albert von Escher collection contains watercolours of cantonal and federal military uniforms from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
Agenda	Many events are held every year at the Library Am Guisanplatz. You will find more information about them here.
Alexandria search portal	The majority of the Library Am Guisanplatz’s BiG holdings can be found using the Alexandria search portal. In addition to an extensive stock of physical media, you will find a wide range of digitised items. There are numerous search and filter options you can use.

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Basic vocational training	Each year the Library Am Guisanplatz BiG trains an apprentice in information and documentation management (Federal VET Diploma). The apprenticeship lasts three years.

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Contact	Contact Library Am Guisanplatz BiG
Contact	Contact Library Am Guisanplatz BiG
Contact E-media	Kontakt E-Medien Bibliothek am Guisanplatz
Contact	Contact Library Am Guisanplatz BiG
Contact	Contact Library Am Guisanplatz BiG
Copies, scans and digitisation	The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG will make digital copies of articles, book excerpts or entire books from its holdings for you on request. This service is free of charge of employees of the Federal Administration and Swiss Armed Forces. A charge is made to all other library users.

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Documentation request	The Library am Guisanplatz BiG responds to documentation requests for all academic disciplines. A team of information specialists with an academic background is available to help you conduct your research.
Digitised special collections	The Library Am Guisanplatz gives its users online access to some of the library’s most impressive special collections in digitised form.

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Themes	Description
Federal Documentation Conference FDC	The Federal Documentation Conference (FDC) is the coordinating body of the Federal Administration for information and documentation.

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Georg Heberlein autograph collection	The Georg Heberlein autograph collection brings you face-to-face with five centuries of world history and its chief characters.

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Head of the BiG	Daniel Kohler heads the Library Am Guisanplatz BiG.
Historical maps	The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG owns a collection of historical maps dating back to the 17th century. This includes maps of Switzerland, printed local maps and hand-drawn maps of Switzerland and the surrounding countries.

Themes	Description
Imprint	The Library Am Guisanplatz (BiG) publishes its services and provides information on its activities at www.big.admin.ch. They are legally based on articles 5-6 of the Ordnance of the Library Am Guisanplatz (BiGV)l and articles 10-11 of the Government and Administration Organisation Act (GAOA).
Inter-library lending	If the BiG does not have a publication you seek, we can search for it in libraries in Switzerland and abroad.
Internships for non-BiG apprentices	Information and documentation specialist apprentices from other institutions may do an internship at the BiG to expand or consolidate their vocational expertise.

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Korea collection	The BiG’s Korea collection provides insight into the work and daily routine of the Swiss NNSC delegation.

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Lending	The Library Am Guisanplatz ist open to the public. The content of its inventory can be either borrowed or consulted at the library.
Library collection	The Library am Guisanplatz BiG holds not only books, periodicals, newspapers and electronic resources; its catalogue also contains numerous regulations, atlases, maps, plans, official documents, photographs, postcards and autographs.

Themes	Description
Meeting room reservations	We have two meeting rooms that can be used by Federal Administration employees and the general public. Both are suitable for meetings, workshops, presentations and training courses, and are appropriately equipped. They can be booked from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
MAS in Library and Information Science	The Faculty of Arts at the University of Zurich runs the part-time degree programme in Library and Information Science in cooperation with Zurich Central Library. The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG offers a two-year internship for this degree programme.
Military postcard collection	The military postcard collection at the BiG offers insights into the contemporary perception of military, national defence and war.

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Non-digitised special collections	What did Swiss soldiers see and experience during their time in the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission in Korea? How was the territory of today's Switzerland mapped? Find answers to these and more questions at the Library am Guisanplatz BiG.
News	Current news from the BiG.
New acquisitions	The Library Am Guisanplatz acquires new titles on an ongoing basis. Each month we publish a list of our new titles.

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Opening hours and location	Access to main building, customer parking and lending: Monday to Friday 08.30 to 11.00 / 14.00 to 16.30 hours

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Publication series	The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG publishes titles in its own publication series and ‘numéro S’.
Portrait BiG	The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG is responsible for providing the Federal Administration and Armed Forces with information. Its varied collections and wide range of services are also available to the public.
Press	Access to major Swiss press publications for Federal Administration employees and Armed Forces staff

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Search tips	The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG has compiled some tips to help you find what you are looking for.

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Terms and conditions	Terms and conditions Library Am Guisanplatz BiG
Training at the BiG	The BiG is engaged in training in the field of «information und documentation», which addresses the past, the present and the future, and offers a variety of training options.
Taster days	The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG holds taster days on which schoolchildren can take an exciting and varied look at the activities at the library and get an idea of what being an information and documentation specialist involves.

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Workstations and facilities	The Library Am Guisanplatz provides modern surroundings with quiet and well-lit workstations at which to study and work. You can also enjoy the use of the library’s other facilities.
Working at the BiG	The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG promotes an active personnel policy. Through targeted training and further education, BiG offers its employees career prospects.

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News
- Close
  
  News
  
  Current news from the BiG.
  
  Agenda
  
  Many events are held every year at the Library Am Guisanplatz. You will find more information about them here.
  
  New acquisitions
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz acquires new titles on an ongoing basis. Each month we publish a list of our new titles.
Your search
- Close
  
  Alexandria search portal
  
  The majority of the Library Am Guisanplatz’s BiG holdings can be found using the Alexandria search portal. In addition to an extensive stock of physical media, you will find a wide range of digitised...
  
  E-media
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG provides employees of the Federal Administration and the Armed Forces with access to numerous journals, newspapers, e-books and reference works . National licences,...
  
  Search tips
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG has compiled some tips to help you find what you are looking for.
  
  Further links
  
  The Library am Guisanplatz BiG has compiled a list of useful links to finding aids and databases to help you with your research.
Services
- Close
  
  Lending
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz ist open to the public. The content of its inventory can be either borrowed or consulted at the library.
  
  Meeting room reservations
  
  We have two meeting rooms that can be used by Federal Administration employees and the general public. Both are suitable for meetings, workshops, presentations and training courses, and are...
  
  Inter-library lending
  
  If the BiG does not have a publication you seek, we can search for it in libraries in Switzerland and abroad.
  
  Workstations and facilities
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz provides modern surroundings with quiet and well-lit workstations at which to study and work. You can also enjoy the use of the library’s other facilities.
  
  Guided tours
  
  Did you know that the Library Am Guisanplatz BiG is a listed building and a former munitions depot? And do you know how the Federal Administration is supplied with up-to-date specialist information?...
  
  Copies, scans and digitisation
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG will make digital copies of articles, book excerpts or entire books from its holdings for you on request. This service is free of charge of employees of the Federal...
  
  Documentation request
  
  The Library am Guisanplatz BiG responds to documentation requests for all academic disciplines. A team of information specialists with an academic background is available to help you conduct your...
  
  Training - Webinars
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG offers training and courses for employees of the Federal Administration and the Armed Forces. In practical courses, they can acquire the skills required to conduct...
  
  FAQ
  
  Can’t find the answer you are looking for? Then please contact us: we’ll be happy to help!
Inventory and collections
- Close
  
  Library collection
  
  The Library am Guisanplatz BiG holds not only books, periodicals, newspapers and electronic resources; its catalogue also contains numerous regulations, atlases, maps, plans, official documents,...
  
  Digitised special collections
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz gives its users online access to some of the library’s most impressive special collections in digitised form.
  
  Non-digitised special collections
  
  What did Swiss soldiers see and experience during their time in the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission in Korea? How was the territory of today's Switzerland mapped? Find answers to these and...
Publications and exhibitions current page
- Close
  
  Publication series
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG publishes titles in its own publication series and ‘numéro S’.
  
  Special topics
  
  Are you interested in a particular current event or do you need tips and literature on a specific topic? We regularly produce documentation on selected topics.
  
  Special collections treasure trove
  
  Interesting information on aspects of historical events and unique items from our collections: the Library Am Guisanplatz BiG regularly publishes articles on interesting topics from the special...
  
  Exhibitions
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG ‘exhibition cube’ contains an interesting selection of titles from our holdings and collections.
About us
- Close
  
  Portrait BiG
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG is responsible for providing the Federal Administration and Armed Forces with information. Its varied collections and wide range of services are also available to the...
  
  Working at the BiG
  
  The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG promotes an active personnel policy. Through targeted training and further education, BiG offers its employees career prospects.
  
  Organisation
  
  The BiG is an institution of the General Secretariat of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS).
  
  Training at the BiG
  
  The BiG is engaged in training in the field of «information und documentation», which addresses the past, the present and the future, and offers a variety of training options.
  
  Opening hours and location
  
  Access to main building, customer parking and lending: Monday to Friday 08.30 to 11.00 / 14.00 to 16.30 hours

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Special collections treasure trove

Interesting information on aspects of historical events and unique items from our collections: the Library Am Guisanplatz BiG regularly publishes articles on interesting topics from the special collections.

A hand opening a book from the BiG's special collections (Image: Sina Guntern/EMC) — Of great historical value: the BiG's special collections (Photo: Sina Guntern/EMC)

The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG opens its ‘treasure trove’ and regularly publishes articles on its special collections. Find out more about individual items, restoration and conservation and about the special treasures in our holdings.