Abstract
The Austrian National Library, as heir to the Hapsburg Imperial Court Library, has a history rich in tradition dating to the fourteenth century. Its collections, including those of manuscripts, incunabula, maps and early printed books, are of international significance. A historical outline of the Library describes the growth of the collections under the Habsburg emperors and its emergence as the Austrian National Library in 1920. The Federal Museums Law of 2002 established the Library as an autonomous body, leading to major organizational reform and greater control over budgetary policy. The Library's strategic goals 2002–2006 were: the gradual expansion of the digital library with a corresponding improvement of service to clients; building and repair projects; scientific research and the modernization of the training of librarians; and coming to terms with the period of National Socialism. The new strategic plan covering the five years from 2006 will emphasize further improvements in catalogues, digitizing holdings, and long-term archiving of digital information.
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