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2. Organisation and Service Management Structure

2.1. Who we are?

Responsibility for the services outlined in this Charter lies with the Biblioteca de Catalunya. Law 4/1993, of 18 March, on the Library System of Catalonia, establishes the Biblioteca de Catalunya as the national library. It was founded in 1907 as the library of the Institut d’Estudis Catalans and opened to the public in 1914.

 

2.2. What we do?

The mission of the Biblioteca de Catalunya is to collect, preserve, and disseminate Catalan bibliographic production and works related to the Catalan linguistic sphere. It also ensures the preservation and dissemination of bibliographic heritage and maintains its role as a centre for universal consultation and scientific research, both in analogue and digital formats.

The library offers everyone the opportunity to visit its exhibitions, attend events, and view the Gothic halls from the entrance lobby. Anyone interested in consulting the library’s collections may access them upon prior registration.

Its structure and organisation chart, as well as some of its services aimed at professionals in various sectors—such as legal deposit management, ISSN assignment, and bibliographic standardisation—are regulated by specific rules and legislation.

This Charter focuses on the services provided by the library that are intended for the general public.

 

2.3. How we do it?

To deliver its services, the Biblioteca de Catalunya is organised into units, services, and areas: the Bibliographic, Graphic, Sound and Audiovisual Units, and the Newspaper Library; the Access & Document Supply, Acquisitions, Storage, and Preservation and Conservation Services; and the Information Technology, Dissemination, and Digitisation Areas; as well as the Joan Maragall Archive.

The units are responsible for managing the library’s collections according to document type. The services and areas operate transversally, supporting the units in fulfilling the library’s mission. Together, these units, services, and areas manage the services that the Biblioteca de Catalunya provides to the public.

Decree 300/1995, of October 25, on the structure of the Biblioteca de Catalunya

In terms of funding, 98–99% of the Biblioteca de Catalunya’s income comes from the Department of Culture of the Government of Catalonia. The remaining 1–2% comes from revenue generated by the sale of publications, document reproductions, and service fees.

Regarding the funding of the Library of Catalonia, 98–99% of its income comes from the Department of Culture of the Government of Catalonia, while the remaining 1–2% is generated through the sale of publications, document reproductions, and fees.