Library

The foundations for the reference library were laid in the museum’s early years by Mr H. Asselberghs, director of the museum at the time. He collected books, brochures and magazines about railways and tramways in the Netherlands, the Dutch East Indies and most of the European countries from far and wide.

Over the years major additions took place through the purchase of new editions, purchases from secondhand bookshops, gift copies from authors and interested parties. In 1998 the library was augmented with a major selection from the library of Dutch Railways.

Apart from books the collection for the most part contains annual reports, timetables, Baedeker guides, publications about museum management and complete series of relevant Dutch and foreign 19th and 20th century magazines.

The collection initially served only to support the staff of the Railway Museum, but now it has grown into a collection of some 16,000 volumes that can also be consulted by outsiders.

The reference library is located in the new Railway Museum building and, for the time being, is only open to visitors by appointment on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

If you have any questions, please send an email to b.receveur@spoorwegmuseum.nl.

The catalogue, in ADLIB, can be consulted in the library.

Nothing is lent out and limited photocopying is possible.