The Public Library (François-Mitterrand site)

The Public Library is open to all age 16 and up. At the François-Mitterrand site, discover our reading rooms and consult collections on all fields of knowledge, study, relax, use our dedicated rooms for group work, join our workshops or training sessions and visit our exhibitions. 
Important
Opening hours and access information may be subject to change. Check them before your visit.
 

Reading rooms  

Work in our reading rooms and consult our collections of books and newspapers, electronic resources and multimedia documents. There are 1500 seats available, as well as computer and multimedia workstations and wifi access. 
Please note: Documents can be consulted on-site only. Home loans are not permitted. 

The 10 reading rooms  

Consult the Affluence

room A : Audiovisual Media  
room B : Press and Media 
room C : Science and Technology 
room D : Law, Economics, Politics
room E : Bibliographic Research, Books, Libraries
room F : Arts
room G : World Literature
room H : French Literature
room I : National Centre for Children’s Literature
room J : Philosophy, History, Humanities

 

You can also search by subject: 

Discover our Public Library’s Collection [In French]

Resource centres 

The resource centres give reference information on a selection of subjetcs, both on-site and online [in French]:

Electronic Resources  

The Library offers many electronic resources – periodicals, monographs, databases, Gallica and Internet Archives - accessible on-site or online. 

Via Wifi

Simply connect to the BNF WIFI network from your laptop, tablet or smartphone to access a selection of electronic resources. These resources are also accessible in areas that do not require a pass: halls, alleys, cafés etc.     

On Computer workstations 

Computer workstations in reading rooms grant access to all the electronic resources the library has suscriptions for. 

On your laptop, in a reading room 

In the reading rooms, you can access all electronic resources from your laptop.
You will need to install the software AVEC on your first connection.

Remote access 

Electronic resources can be partly consulted outside of the library 
 

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

Please note

Please note: Documents can be consulted on-site only. Home loans are not permitted. 
 

TIP
Looking for a spot to work on Sunday? 
We welcome you from 1 PM to 8 PM 
Looking for a spot to work outside of the reading rooms? 
You can work in the foyers, the Encyclopedia alley, the Eastern Hall in front of the Historical Timeline and in the Western Hall in front of the Louise Bourgeois Sculpture. 

Group work rooms  

Group rooms can be booked on the same day and up to one week in advance, for a maximum duration of 4 hours per day and 20 hours per month. 
 

Book a group room [In french]

In each room, you will find:

  • Electric plugs 
  • A Wifi connection 
  • A Magnetic whiteboard  (except in room D, which is equipped with an interactive screen)    

 

 

Help for booking 
Localization Maximum seat number

Room G

3

Room H

3

Room D

6

Room F

6

Room J

8

Please note
  • Group Rooms are for a minimum of two people
  • Wifi connections can be activated and deactivated on demand
  • Felt-tip pens for whiteboards are available, ask our staff 

Practical information

 
Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun.
  10AM
-
8PM
10AM
-
8PM
10AM
-
8PM
10AM
-
8PM
10AM
-
8PM
1PM
-
7PM

You can use the Affluences application to know the occupation rate for each reading room (real time and anticipation for every half hour). The data is updated every five minutes.

 

MORE ABOUT Affluences [in french]

1 day reader’s Card

5 €

Readers card  5PM-8PM

Access to the Public Library from 5 PM to 8 PM

Valid for 1 year.

Free

Pass BnF lecture / culture

Unlimited access to the reading rooms in the Public Library and to our exhibitions, concerts, and shows

Valid for 1 year.

Pass BnF lecture / culture – Reduced rates

Unlimited access to the reading rooms in the Public Library and to our exhibitions, concerts, and shows

Valid for 1 year.

Access Room I- Young people

Gratuit

For all children under 16 accompanied by an adult. .

 

 

The three passes are valid for one year from their delivery date. They are strictly personal

 

Please note: The cost of a lost, stolen (without proof of theft report) or forgotten pass is 2€. Pass replacement is free if the pass is malfunctioning or if it was stolen (upon proof of theft report). 

An additional fee will be charged in case of access rights extension, see admission prices here

Amenities

Changing tables

Changing tables are available in the women’s and men’s washrooms in the foyer of the small auditorium.

Catering

It is possible to eat in several places in the Library.

MORE

Bookstore

The Tschann bookstore, located allée Julien Cain, offers selections in the humanities and literature, fine arts or youth.

morE (french content)