Libraries in Lisbon

      by Becky Chen

I am providing info on all the libraries that I have “used” before in Lisbon. However there are many other libraries available and perhaps you could find info from elsewhere.  

Whenever there is an English version of the library info is available, I have given you the webpage in English.

This is a list of catologues:

http://www.fl.ul.pt/biblioteca/pesquisas.htm

To be more precise, I am giving you the name of the library, the internet link is for you to do your catologue search, then furnished by the second web address below it with the information of how to get there and the opening hours. 

1. Biblioteca da Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa

SIBUL Catologue Search (SIBUL = a system integrating all the libraries of the University of Lisbon) http://194.117.1.194/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b

Opening Hours http://www.fl.ul.pt/biblioteca/horario.htm

2. ICS- O Instituto de Ciências Sociais (belongs to Universidade de Lisboa)

Catologue Search http://www.ics.ul.pt/biblio/en/pesquisa.asp

How to reach there https://www.ics.ul.pt/rd/rdweb/institutelocation.do?idgenericpage=7&menu=institution

Opening Hours http://www.ics.ul.pt/biblio/en/informacaogeral.asp

3. ISCTE - Instituto Superior de Ciências do Trabalho e da Empresa

Catologue Search http://biblioteca.iscte.pt/bibliopac.htm

Further info http://biblioteca.iscte.pt/Conheca-nos.htm

4. Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal 

Catologue Search  http://www.porbase.org/english/index.html

Opening Hours http://www.bn.pt/sobre-a-bn/horarios.html

How to reach there http://www.bn.pt/sobre-a-bn/informacoes-uteis.html

(Libraries 1, 2, 3, 4 are close to one another, Libraries 2 &  3 are actually side-by-side)

5. Biblioteca de Arte da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

Catologue Search http://www.biblartepac.gulbenkian.pt/ipac20/ipac.jsp?profile=ba-en&lang=eng#focus

Access and Opening Hours http://www.biblarte.gulbenkian.pt/content.asp?cod=acesso_horarios&menu=acesso_horarios&parent=home&lang=en 

6. Rede de Bibliotecas Municipais de Lisboa (but most probably the one that you’ll go to is Biblioteca Municipal Central - Palácio Galveias)

-

Catologue Search

http://catalogolx.cmlisboa.pt/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1V9W4023927O3.39239&profile=rbml&menu=search&ts=1194402392734#focus

Information on each and every municipal library in Lisbon. http://blx.cm-lisboa.pt/contactos

(Libraries 5 & 6 are near the Campo Pequeno metro station)

Library – the second Home? 

My personal favourite is Library 1, the numbers and sequence actually indicate my preference and priorities.

I spent about one month at the Biblioteca da Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa while researching for my dissertation report. Another reason I had to spend so much time there is because as a student who’s only there for 1 semester, I can’t get a membership and I’m not allowed to take the books out. However I like it because:

- it has what is relevant to my research. If your field is American studies, Cultural Studies, Literature, this library will be very helpful to you.

- super convenient photocopy (and relatively cheap), printing, binding service.

- wireless (it’s the same e-U connection as the Lumiar Residence)

- canteen and a couple of cafes available, conveninet for a person like me who can’t accept sandwiches and cold food for lunch.

- near the Residence, by Metro.

- you don’t need to show anything to enter.

In between, whenever I need to I also walked to the ICS Library, it’s about 10 minutes walking distance. It’s a small library, with 1 or 2 photocopy machines, as the name of the library indicates, the collections are mainly in the area of Social Science, like family, religion etc.

I had also ‘enjoyed’ 2 weeks at the Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal, straining my eyes on microfilms of some Portuguese newspapers of the 1900s. As you can see, it’s the place where you want to find more specific, or antique resources. You won’t see many students here, I think people who go there are mostly postgraduate students, researchers or professors.

The procedure here is a little bit more complicated than other libraries, if you are not carrying a laptop bag, you have to leave them at the locker, and you are not allowed to bring your water into the library. If you have your laptop, usually the bag will be checked by the security.

Important Reminder: Bring your passport if you go there for the first time.

Many of my Mundus colleagues like Biblioteca de Arte da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. The book requesting process super efficient if compared to Biblioteca Nacional. I must say that the library has a very pleasant interior, comfortable chairs, and beautiful surrounding- the Gulbenkian Park is lovely. The membership card is issued on the same day while Biblioteca Nacional takes 1-2 weeks.

The Municipal Library is the only library which allows you to borrow and take the books out if you sign up for membership. All the other above-mentioned libraries require you to use the material in the libraries only.