National Library of Greece facts for kids
Quick facts for kids National Library of Greece |
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| The façade of the main building of the library | |
| Established | 1832 |
| Location | Athens |
| Coordinates | 37°58′52″N 23°43′59″E / 37.98111°N 23.73306°E |
| Branches | 2 (Αγία Παρασκευή/Agía Paraskeví & Νέα Χαλκηδόνα/Néa Chalkidóna) |
| Collection | |
| Items collected | books, journals, newspapers, magazines, multimedia and manuscripts |
| Criteria for collection | Material that is produced in Greece as well as Material that is produced abroad, but is connected with Greece in any language and form. |
| Other information | |
| Director | Fillipos Tsimpoglou (Φίλιππος Τσιμπόγλου), general director. |
The National Library of Greece is the main library for the country of Greece. It is located in Athens, the capital city. This important library was created in 1832.
Contents
What is the National Library of Greece?
A national library is a very special kind of library. It collects and keeps all the important books, newspapers, and other writings from a country. The National Library of Greece does this for Greece. It makes sure that the country's history and knowledge are saved.
A Home for Greek Knowledge
This library is like a huge treasure chest of information. It holds millions of items. These include books, magazines, and old newspapers. It also has rare manuscripts, which are handwritten documents. Many of these are very old and valuable. They show how people lived and thought in the past.
The library collects anything made in Greece. It also gathers things made outside Greece that are about the country. This means it has a complete record of Greek culture. It helps people learn about Greece's past and present.
A Look at Its History
The National Library of Greece has a long and interesting history. It was founded almost 200 years ago. This was a very important time for Greece. The country had just become independent.
How It All Began
The idea for the library started in 1829. The first governor of Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias, wanted a national library. He wanted to collect all the important Greek writings. The library officially opened in 1832. It started with a small collection of books.
Over the years, the collection grew much larger. People donated books and other items. The library became a central place for learning. It helped to educate the people of Greece.
Moving to a New Home
For many years, the library was housed in a beautiful building. This building was called the Vallianeio Megaron. It was a famous landmark in Athens. However, the library's collection kept growing. It needed more space.
In 2017, the main part of the library moved. It moved to a new, modern building. This new home is part of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. It gives the library more room for its collections. It also has better facilities for visitors.
Why the Library is Important
The National Library of Greece plays a key role in the country. It is not just a place to read books. It is a place where Greek heritage is protected. It keeps old texts safe for future generations.
It also helps researchers and students. They can find rare documents there. The library helps to spread knowledge. It supports education and culture in Greece. It is a symbol of the country's love for learning.
Images for kids
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The Vallianeio Megaron, which housed the Library prior to 2017
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca Nacional de Grecia para niños
