libri europae 

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„A future for the past: European knowledge at the transition from the medieval to the modern period – the restoration and internet presentation of early printed encyclopaediae.” This slogan sums up the task set themselves by the Stadtbibliothek Trier, the Nationalbibliothek Luxemburg and the Bibliothèque Municipale de Metz – Médiathèque du Pontiffroy. Under the terms of a cooperation agreement, these three major libraries have undertaken the restoration of 45 selected incunabula (15th c. prints) for the purpose of presenting them in a joint virtual exhibition on the internet. It is hoped that the restored works will thus not only be brought within the reach of a broader public, but also that the choice of medium will provide both experts and non-experts alike with a direct online discussion link to the participating libraries.

The Libri Europae Project is being sponsored by the European Union under its “Culture 2000” programme, which is covering 50% (€86,000) of the total cost. The same sum again will be contributed by the Stiftung der Landesbank Rheinland-Pfalz and the three libraries themselves.