From 1585 to 1843, the Dutch town Franeker housed the University of Franeker. It had its peak in the seventeenth century and attracted students from Protestant countries throughout Europe. A library was founded right from the start and its collection has been preserved almost entirely. Eleven catalogues were printed in the course of its existence, and as a result the development of the collection can be examined chronologically.

The Library of Franeker University in Context, 1585–1843 discusses the relationship with education at Franeker University in detail, and makes a comparison with other similar libraries.