Its high esteem to be a research library of international rank is based on its rich manuscripts holdings.

Three of these manuscripts became part of UNESCO's Memory of the World: The nucleus of the collection may be traced back to the emperor Henry II, who founded the bishopric of Bamberg in 1007.

In the ensuing period many books were written and illuminated in the town, notably in the 12th century by the Benedictine monks of the Michaelsberg Abbey.

Although only fragments of the very first period of printing in Bamberg can be found in the library, the collection of incunabula documents the wide range of book production in the 15th century.

In the course of the 19th century the library was enriched by gifts such as the art historian Joseph Heller's collection, which today comprises 80,000 prints and drawings.

The reading room provides a view over the rose garden which also was built on behalf of Prince-Bishop Lothar Franz von Schönborn.