This is Sweden’s national library and an autonomous Government department in its own right. Ever since 1661, when there were only nine printing presses in Sweden, copies of every piece of printed matter have had to be lodged with Royal Library. Since 1993 this requirement has also applied to electronic documents. As there are now some 3,000 printers and publishers in Sweden the volume of materials is expanding rapidly. The stock of books is increasing at the rate of 35,000 volumes a year.

The imposing original building, dating from 1865-78, had to be expanded in the 1920s, and again in the 1990s. The library is in a beautiful setting in Humlegarden created by Gustav II Adolf in 1619 to grow hops for the royal household. Ever since the eighteenth century, the park has been a favourite recreation area for Stockholmers.