The scientific library has a documentation base that is mainly specialised in economics, finance and monetary policy.
Its collection reaches almost to 100 000 books and more than 1,300 periodicals, many of which can be consulted on line. In addition, the library keeps a vast collection of reports and publications from both Belgian and foreign institutions.
In its specialist areas, the library owns one of the widest collections in the country. This collection encompasses historical documents as well as the most recent publications.
For their buying/acquisition policy, the librarians take account of the opinions and the requirements of an internal team of leading economists: this approach guarantees an up-to-date and high-quality selection.
The latest publications and periodicals are freely accessible. Older books are kept on closed shelves and brought into the reading room upon request.
Catalogue
The library's on-line catalogue, which is accessible via internet, gives you direct access to around 200 000 reference works (books, reports, periodicals, review articles) which can be freely consulted in the library's reading room.
Since 2008, this catalogue has been incorporated into KULeuven's Libis-Net network which assembles the university's own collection as well as those of a score of other institutions, including the federal Parliament and the Ministry of Finance.
Full text journals
The archives of several hundreds of economic and financial journals can be consulted on the library's PCs.
Databases
The following databases are open to consultation in the library:
- Econlit: bibliographic database of economic literature (articles, working papers, book chapters)
- IMF e-Library: e-Books and journals from the International Monetary Fund
- RepEc: repository of economic research (working papers & articles)
- OECD iLibrary: electronic publications of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (journals, e-Books)
- Strada: (Belgian) full-text law journals and handbooks
- World Bank e-Library: World Bank journals, reports & e-Books
Portal site
The portal offers a well-structured selection of important and interesting electronic sources of information in the fields of economic research, statistics, international institutions and monetary policy.
The portal was originally designed to meet the needs of the NBB staff's own research work but, it is also adressed to students and researchers in economics. In order to keep it as complete and topical as possible, the portal is regularly updated. If you have any suggestions, please do not hesitate to send us your comments by e-mail, telephone or by post.
Acquisitions
With a view to keeping you regularly informed, the library publishes lists of articles and books that it has recently acquired and indexed:
If you do not want to miss out on any of these lists, you can register as a user. Each new list will then be automatically sent to you by e-mail.