About the library

When the third technical university in the Netherlands was founded in 1961, an associated library was also established. In the early years, library facilities were still basic and the university library services were housed in a villa in the city centre of Enschede. With the completion of the first buildings on the campus of Twente University of Technology, the first customized library building was also taken into use. In 1971, the “De Vrijhof” building was completed, containing the University Library.
The physical book collections could be found in faculty libraries and later also in the ITC library; as part of the centralization, the faculty libraries were closed and the collection was integrated into the Vrijhof Library.
To make room for more study places and project rooms the majority of the physical collection has been moved to a closed depot in the Vrijhof building.

Source of photos below: Beeldbank University of Twente

Library cargo bike (1969)

Library's Electric Cart (1971)

Catalogue hall Central Library (1971)

Catalogue hall Central Library (1971)

Central Library desk (1972)

Opening Faculty Library Mechanical Engineering (1972)

Faculty Library Chemical Engineering (1973)

Vrijhof building (1975)

Vrijhof (current Library entrance) (1975)

Reading room Central Library (1977)

Carousel in the Vrijhof Central Library (1980)

microfiche reader (1980)

Signage in the Vrijhof Central Library (1989)

Vrijhof Central Library (1989)

Catalogue hall of the Central Library (1990)

Faculty Library Mathematics and Public Administration (1990)

European Documentation Centre (1997)

Entrance BIOD/EDC (1997)

Vrijhof Library (2008)

University Library warehouse (2008)

Lockers (2010)

Study hall (2010)

University Library interior (2010)

PC room Vrijhof Library (2012)

Vrijhof Library (2012)

University Library warehouse clearance (2013)

Entrance University Library (2014)

Silent Area (2018)

Study area (2023)

Study area (2023)

Coffee corner (2023)

The University Library comprises the departments Embedded Information Services (EIS) and Operational Information & Learning Services (OILS) and is part of service department Library, ICT Services & Archive (LISA).

For contact details, see Library Staff.

The annual report of the University Library highlights developments and innovations such as Open Access (OA), Data Management and student involvement. The report demonstrates the University Library's ongoing commitment to meet the needs of researchers, teachers and students, and to creat a dynamic and inspiring learning environment.