For almost 75 years the Bruges library supports the teaching and research activities of the College of Europe. It collects and provides access to information resources linked to the academic programme and the European integration project; offers guidance by e.g. organising introductory tours and information sessions; preserves the academic research output; organises activities, collaborates with academic departments and (local) communities and implements new digital technologies where possible.
The Bruges library offers a wide range of user services and is considered a special place by many students and faculty. It wants to be seen as ‘the heart of the institute’ and as a third place, a familiar environment alongside the residences and the work environment alias classrooms. A place where students will study and work on papers and theses, where they will meet fellow students and staff, where lasting friendships and memories will be made, a place where one feels at home and can seek advice from the helpful and professional library team.
The available information resources in the Bruges library principally focus on European law, economics, politics, international relations and diplomacy.
The collection consists of approximately 500.000 e-books, 70.000 printed books, 5.000 theses, 188 journal subscriptions (176 online, 7 print and 5 print/online), more than 30 annual licensed databases. Printed and electronic books from leading publishers as Routledge, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Palgrave Macmillan, licensed online leading periodicals - for example Journal of European Public Policy, Journal of European Integration, Journal of Common Market Studies - and databases such as Westlaw, Dalloz, Wolters Kluwer, Sage are available to our users, in addition to official publications and documents of the European Union published and distributed by the Publication Office of the European Union in Luxembourg.
To find out more, please consult our library website and catalogue.
Head of Library
Roselien VAN LOOCKE
Timely discussions never stop at the College of Europe. On April 14th 2026, our European Political and Governance Studies department organised a conference on the theme of "Applications and...