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Libraries

Libraries run by the French and Flemish Communities and selected specialist libraries and documentation centres
Looking for a good read, listen or watch? There are many libraries in Brussels with books, CDs and DVDs for loan, as well as lots of information and documentation.

The Brussels-Capital Region’s cultural life is essentially centred on the two linguistic communities: the French Community and the Dutch-speaking Flemish Community.

These two institutions run libraries, too, where you can loan books and more often than not CDs and DVDs as well. You can go online at most public libraries or read reference works and magazines.

For French speakers

For Dutch speakers

  • There are twenty or so approved libraries (NL), spread throughout the 19 Brussels communes. Some of them also loan out CDs, DVDs and CD-ROMs.
  • The Archief en Museum van het Vlaams leven te Brussel (NL) preserves examples of the intangible cultural heritage of Dutch speakers living in Brussels, such as works by Flemish authors and printers, as well as documents of the Flemish movement in Brussels.

Specialist libraries

Other languages

Most cultural centres of foreign embassies in Brussels have a documentation centre or a library. Some of them may also have DVDs and CDs in their own national language.

Who to contact:

  • French Community Commission (COCOF)
    Administration des Affaires Culturelles
    Rue des Palais 42, 1030 Brussels
    Phone: +32 (0)2 800 80 00
    Online: www.spfb.brussels/culture-sport (FR)
  • Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie (VGC)
    Dienst Sociaal-Cultureel Werk,
    Square Sainctelette 17, 1000 Brussels
    Phone: +32 (0)2 208 02 89
    Online: www.vgc.be/cultuur (NL)

 

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