The largest and richest collection of books in Europe in the 16th century

On December 28, 1537, French King Francis I issued a decree that obliged authors and printers of the time to deposit a copy of their works in the King's Library, the first legal deposit requirement in the world. This measure aimed to preserve and disseminate France's cultural heritage, as well as control censorship and the quality of publications.

Francis I was one of the greatest patrons of the arts of the French Renaissance, attracting several Italian artists to work for him. Francisco was also an advocate of the development and promotion of the French language, being known as the “Father and Restorer of Letters”.

The King's Library, founded by Charles V in 1368, was the largest and richest library in Europe at the time of Francis I. It contained around 12 thousand volumes, including manuscripts, printed books, maps, medals and coins. The 1537 decree allowed the library to expand further, receiving works of all genres and subjects. Furthermore, the decree encouraged the production and circulation of books in France, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and culture

The 1537 decree was a milestone in the history of books and libraries, as it established the principle of legal deposit, which is still adopted by several countries today. Legal deposit consists of the obligation to deliver to a public institution one or more copies of every work published in the national territory, with the aim of preserving, cataloging and making this material available for research and consultation.

Thus, Francis I was a visionary king, who recognized the importance of books and libraries for the preservation and dissemination of French and universal culture.