The BNE is the country’s main library institution.Founded in 1711 by Philip V, it is currently the legal depository and its collections include around 35,000,000 physical documents as well as the largest repository of cultural heritage in digital format. Its main mission is the collection, conservation and dissemination of the Spanish bibliographic heritage.

The Library also promotes and develops library policies in relation to the bibliographic and documentary heritage of the Spanish State and acts as a reference centre in the field of technical library regulations.