Tasks and functions
It catalogs and organizes old printed and digital monographs. It takes part in auctions and contributes to the acquisition of documents by purchase and donation.
History
Section created in 1995 by the Decree 300/1995 of the structure of the Biblioteca de Catalunya. It is heiress of the old section of Rare Books created in 1917. It is part of Bibliographic Unit.
Collections
It conserves the books of most historic and patrimonial value. It comprises the Catalan Reserve (named Aguiló, that gather the Catalan bibliographic heritage) and the General Reserve, particularly rich in books from 16th century, the Segle d'Or of the Spanish literature, although it also includes works from other periods.
More than 600 incunabula (books printed before 1501) are part of the section, as well as other collections of different periods and features, among them, the Col·lecció Cervantina, the Fullets Bonsoms (booklets historic-politic from 16th to 19th centuries), the collection of manuscripts and parchments, the incunabula and old books, the engravings and artistic bindings from de Frederic Marès, the artistic bindings of Miralles or the Col·lecció verdagueriana, are relevant examples.