Alert
Attention

Annual maintenance work will take place again this summer, which is why the reading rooms at the Heldenplatz location and in all collections will be closed from Friday, July 25, to Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Due to the shutdown of the ordering system, no media orders can be accepted from Thursday, July 24, 2025, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 4 p.m. The regular opening hours will then apply again from Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

The study room of the Albertina is closed from July 15 to August 15. During this time (except July 25 to August 5), media ordered from the Albertina collection will be transported twice a week (Monday and Thursday) to the reading rooms of the National Library on Heldenplatz and can be used there.

State Hall

Starting August 1, 2025, the State Hall will open at 9 a.m.

State Hall

Due to an event, the State Hall will be closed on August 4, 2025.

Historische Zeichnung eines Pumas

We invite you to sponsor a historical animal depiction from the imperial collections. The colourful original watercolours come from the estate of Emperor Ferdinand I (1793-1875) and show mostly domestic and exotic animals from the former Court Natural History Cabinet.

Today, the magnificent zoological picture collection comprises around 10,000 animal watercolours by the most outstanding natural history artists of the 19th century.

If we are to preserve these treasures for future generations, we need your help. By taking on a sponsorship, you will support the Austrian National Library in the restoration and conservation of these and many other unique objects. You can also make a gift of a sponsorship for birthdays, anniversaries or to animal lovers: a special present related to the recipient’s favourite animal or star sign, or as a symbol for a valued quality, for example "strong as a lion" or "light as a butterfly".

In return for a donation of 500 euros

  • you will be forever linked to your chosen animal watercolour,
  • you will receive a sponsorship certificate with the name you have chosen and the title of your sponsored work,
  • a bookplate will be attached to the work, documenting the personal, lifelong relationship.

All animal views and the request form can be found here or click below on "Choose your animal".

Become an animal sponsor

Help us preserve our treasures.

Roter Papagei mit gelben und blauen Farbakzenten

The donation is made once only, and may be tax-deductible.

We gladly advise you with the selection of your sponsorship or with the search for a special animal representation!

Contact:
Michaela Hübner
Sponsoring and Event Management
Phone: +43 1 534 10-263
E-Mail: buchpatenschaft[at]onb.ac.at

Follow Chat
JavaScript deaktiviert oder Chat nicht verfügbar.