The CERN Library

The CERN Library has been in operation since the Organization was founded in 1954. The renovation work, completed in 2022, has expanded and modernized the library’s offerings, with the aim of providing a welcoming, functional space that meets the needs of employees .

The library is part of the Scientific Information Service (SIS), a department that also includes the CERN Archives, the Open Science service, and the INSPIRE platform, a leading resource for literature in particle physics .

The collection

Since its establishment, the library has been committed to providing CERN staff with the reference materials necessary for their research activities. The collection focuses primarily on key disciplines such as: particle physics (theoretical and experimental), accelerator technology and mathematics.

To meet the needs of a broader audience, popular science materials have also been added over time, including works of fiction, art books related to science, and a section dedicated to children, designed to introduce them to the world of science.

The catalog includes a wide range of resources: books, conference proceedings, scientific articles, preprints, standards, and journals. Today, much of this material is also available in digital format, in the form of e-books, electronic journals, videos, and audiobooks.

Over the years, the collection has grown significantly: from the initial 533 volumes in 1954 , it has grown to over 16,500 books currently available on-site, in addition to more than 40,500 volumes stored in the archives. The digital collection also includes approximately 121,000 e-books, 6,800 videos, and 2,900 audiobooks .

The catalog

Originally, the library catalog was in paper format and organized using index cards divided into two sections: alphabetical and subject-based. The subject classification was based—and continues to be based—on the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC), an internationally recognized library classification system.

Librarian searching in the Library card catalog, © CERN

With technological advancements, the catalog has been progressively digitized to simplify the management of bibliographic information. Today, it is fully online and allows users to access both physical documents and available electronic resources.

The mission of the CERN Library

The library plays a key role in preserving and promoting CERN’s scientific production. It is responsible for cataloging and distributing articles, books, and reports produced by the Organization’s staff.

Its primary mission is to ensure rapid and comprehensive access to up-to-date scientific information, including:

• books and manuals
• conference proceedings
• scientific journals
• technical reports and standards

In collaboration with the Open Science section, the library is also involved in promoting open access and developing new models of scientific communication. These models aim to make publication costs more sustainable through agreements between authors and publishers.

The location

The CERN Central Library is located on the first floor of Building 52. As early as 1967, it covered approximately 450 square meters and had over 275 linear meters of shelving.

Today, the reading rooms are open 24 hours a day, every day, offering a flexible study environment that is always available to staff. The facility also houses a bookstore.

The events

The CERN Library regularly organizes events and activities for the Organization’s staff, with the aim of promoting scientific culture and fostering the exchange of ideas.

"Meet the Author"

Meetings with researchers and authors who present their publications to the CERN community. Guests have included Avi Loeb, Gian Francesco Giudice, and Claudia de Rham.

"Library Science Talk"

A series of lectures for information professionals and archivists, featuring presentations by international experts. The initiative is organized with the support of the Association of International Librarians and Information Specialists (AILIS), CERN’s Scientific Information Service, and the Zurich Central Library.

"The Voice of Science"

This series focuses on science communication and how to make it accessible and engaging for the general public. Speakers include Claire Malone, Zach Weinersmith, and Katie Mack.

"Meet the Artist"

A newer format that introduces the artists involved in the Art at CERN program, fostering the intersection of science and art.