The origin of the National Library of France goes back to the book collection of Charles V, who in 1368 installed his manuscript library in a room of the Louvre. Later, during the reign of François I, an ordinance was promulgated making it compulsory to deposit a copy of each published book in the library of the Château de Blois. The institution reached a remarkable peak in 1666 under the administration of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, establishing itself as one of the most important libraries in Europe. After the French Revolution, its holdings increased significantly thanks to the incorporation of confiscated and seized documents. Finally, Mitterrand, President of the Republic, announced in 1988 the construction of the National Library of France, opening its doors to the public in 1994.