Bruges Public Library digitizes 1,600 historical manuscripts

The Public Library of Bruges has digitized over 1,600 historical manuscripts and old prints, making them accessible to the public online. The collection includes significant historical items such as the oldest newspaper from Bruges, dating back to 1637, and the medieval diary of Galbert van Brugge, which contains accounts of the murder of Charles the Bold.

This digital initiative was facilitated by the implementation of Wander, a collection management system developed by the University of Antwerp. The system allows for detailed descriptions and high-quality digital images of every page, utilizing the IIIF open standard for sharing digital collections.

The digitized materials include various Flemish masterpieces, 18th-century manuscripts regarding funerary heritage, and incunabula from the printer Colard Mansion. The library aims to lower the barrier for historical research, genealogy, and education by providing these resources to academics and enthusiasts alike.