The library of the Institute for Linguistics is a branch library of the Bern University Library. It is open to the public, but its contents and services are primarily geared towards the needs of members of the Institute and its students.
The approximately 51,000 books in the library are organized by subject group (see call number overview). The collection focuses on theoretical areas of linguistics (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, ...), as well as descriptions of various languages and language families of the world. However, there is a particular focus on the languages of the Americas, Indo-European languages, Trans-Himalayan/Tibeto-Burman languages, and other South and Southeast Asian languages. Older holdings also focus on the languages of Iran and the Caucasus, sociolinguistics (dialectology, multilingualism), and language aquisition.
The latest issues of current journals are available in the foyer of the institute.
In addition, the library houses two open work spaces, and 22 long-term work spaces which can be reserved upon request.
