Syllabus Librorum Academicorum: the first catalogue of the University of Groningen Library
The library of the "Hoogeschool van Stad en Lande" was founded in 1615. Four years on, Nicolaus Mulerius, who was professor of Mathematics and Medicine as well as librarian, made a list of all the books that had been acquired so far: the Syllabus Librorum Academicorum.
This catalogue has been preserved in two versions. One is the working copy used for nearly a century by subsequent librarians. The other is the calligraphic copy meant to be shown to visitors and potential benefactors.
Now, after more than four centuries, nearly all 205 titles in over 400 volumes are still present in the University of Groningen Library. They are splendid and rich sources for those interested in the history of books and libraries, in the early stages of the academy in Groningen, and in the history of science and scholarship in the early 17th century.
Available Online
Both copies of the Syllabus are now kept in the Groninger Archieven. For centuries, few people had access to them, but they are now available for all online.