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100th Anniversary of the Reading Room at the Mines Paris – PSL Library

Campus life Event Institutional Science and society Video interview
Published on 12 June 2026
For more than two centuries, the Mines Paris – PSL Library has supported the dissemination of knowledge, the advancement of research, and the training of engineers, researchers, and doctoral students. As the successor to an institution founded in 1794, it preserves an exceptional collection of documents while playing a vital role today in supporting research, open science, and the promotion of the School’s scientific output.
In 2026, it will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its historic reading room, inaugurated in 1926 at the heart of the Paris campus. To mark the occasion, Mines Paris – PSL is offering a series of events designed to highlight the history of this iconic venue, its current missions, and the transformations shaping its future. Exhibitions, conferences, meetings, concerts, and a Learning Center project: this program invites you to discover how the library combines heritage, innovation, and openness to address the academic and scientific challenges of tomorrow.

A century-old reading room

A heritage founded in 1794 in the service of knowledge

The history of the Mines Paris – PSL library began in 1794 with the founding of the École des mines. From the outset, its mission was to bring together the scientific and technical knowledge necessary for teaching and research, while preserving the intellectual and institutional memory of the institution.

In 1924, architect Albert Janty presented a proposal to the School’s Board for a new reading room designed to accommodate the growing collections and increasing demand. Completed in 1926, this space quickly became a central hub for work, study, and research.

A century later, this reading room remains one of the most remarkable heritage spaces on the Paris campus. It houses an exceptional documentary collection comprising several hundred thousand print and digital publications, maps, periodicals, and archives tracing the history of science, technology, and industry.

This anniversary is an opportunity to rediscover some of the archives, plans, and founding documents of this heritage (Click to enlarge):

Floor plan of the first floor of the reading room

 

Floor plan of the library’s facade

 

 

Floor plan of the library

A library in constant evolution

At the heart of research, education, and open science

While its collection is one of its greatest assets, the library is now much more than a repository. As a key player in the School’s academic life, it supports researchers, faculty, doctoral students, undergraduates, and staff on a daily basis in their studies, research, and the dissemination of knowledge.

It provides specialized documentary resources, develops training in scientific information retrieval, supports publishing practices, and contributes to the management and promotion of research data.

The library also plays a major role in the School’s open science policy. In particular, it oversees HAL Mines and Minéralis, the institutional open archive of Mines Paris – PSL, and Minéralis, the School’s digital library, which enable the dissemination and promotion of its laboratories’ scientific output to the international academic community.

Through these initiatives, she contributes to the scientific reputation of the School and PSL University.

Learn more

Toward a Learning Center

Supporting new ways of working

At a time when learning, research, and collaboration practices are undergoing profound changes driven by digital technology and artificial intelligence, the library is embarking on an ambitious reflection on its future. The year 2026 thus marks the launch of a transformation project toward a Learning Center. This initiative aims to rethink spaces and services in order to offer a more open, collaborative environment tailored to the contemporary needs of the academic community. This project builds on the library’s history: evolving tools, spaces, and services while preserving an exceptional heritage dedicated to the transmission of knowledge.

Series of Events

Celebrating a Century of Dedication to Knowledge, Envisioning the Future

Opening Night

  • June 12, 2026 – 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Reading Room – by invitation

The event will bring together the Mines Paris – PSL community, its alumni, partners, and key players in its ecosystem around one of the architectural gems of the Paris campus.

Student-led activities, demonstrations, and social gatherings will celebrate a century of commitment to scientific and technical knowledge.

Exhibition: “The Library at the Heart”

  • June 12–October 16, 2026
  • Entrance Hall and Reading Room – Free admission

Through archival documents, photographs, heritage artifacts, and digital resources, the exhibition traces the history of the library from its founding in 1794 to the projects shaping its future.

Visitors will discover how the library’s spaces, collections, and services have evolved over the centuries to keep pace with changes in higher education, research, and the dissemination of knowledge.

Library Outreach

  • October 15, 2026 – 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
  • Espace du Carreau – free admission

Through scientific posters and demonstrations, the library team will present its services, collections, and digital tools.

These events will offer researchers, students, and staff the opportunity to discover resources that are sometimes overlooked and to discuss uses and needs that will help shape the services of tomorrow.

Lecture by Isabelle Laboulais

  • October 13, 2026 – 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
  • Reading Room – Free admission with registration (link coming soon)

Isabelle Laboulais, a specialist in the history of the École des Mines and professor of modern history at the University of Strasbourg, will discuss the creation of the library and the evolution of its collections from the Revolutionary period to the present day.

Closing concert as part of the Musique aux Mines festival

October 16, 2026 – 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Reading Room – registration required (link coming soon)

This evening will mark the convergence of two anniversaries: the 100th anniversary of the reading room and the 10th anniversary of the Musique aux Mines festival.

For the first time, a festival concert will take place in the library to allow the public to experience the exceptional acoustics of this venue.

Video Testimonials

The Paris Library of Mines Paris – PSL: A History, Architecture, and Vision

Three questions to understand the library’s evolution and the prospects shaping its future

In this video, Sébastien Perrin, director of the Mines Paris – PSL library, and Pauline Falquet, an architect at Thalès Architectures, discuss the library’s history, the remarkable architecture of its reading room, and the ambitions for the future Learning Center.

Through their shared perspectives, they show how a heritage site founded over two centuries ago continues to reinvent itself to keep pace with the transformations in higher education, research, digital technology, and artificial intelligence.

An invitation to discover how the library combines memory, innovation, and openness to meet the scientific and educational challenges of tomorrow.

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