Biblioteca FCT/UNL

What Biblioteca FCT/UNL does

Biblioteca FCT/UNL, officially the Divisão de Biblioteca, Arquivo e Cultura (DBAC), is the university library of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology at Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (NOVA FCT), a public university in Portugal. Founded in its current purpose-built Caparica campus building in 2006, the library serves NOVA FCT students, researchers, faculty, and staff across all 21 NOVA schools and institutes, while also functioning as a public cultural interface for the surrounding Almada municipality and broader community. Core services include the OPAC online catalog, lending and interlibrary loans, online database access (B-on, NOVA Discovery, Google Scholar), information literacy training, and the RUN institutional repository for NOVA FCT's scientific output.

The library differentiates itself from a conventional academic library through three non-traditional pillars: the FCT FabLab (a digital fabrication laboratory launched in 2017 in partnership with the US Embassy offering 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, and electronics), an extensive cultural programming calendar (CineClube film club since 2011, theater productions, exhibitions, seminars, and the Acervo Artístico art collection), and a deep open science practice (Polen Data Hub institutional area, Blimunda Project for publishing best practices). The library operates as a publicly funded, non-commercial institution with no pricing model — all services are free to the university community and general public. It is funded through public university budgets and project grants, and is governed as a division of the university rather than an independent entity.

Name

Biblioteca FCT/UNL

Legal name

Divisão de Biblioteca, Arquivo e Cultura da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa

Website

https://biblioteca.fct.unl.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Biblioteca FCT/UNL is the publicly funded university library of NOVA FCT (Universidade NOVA de Lisboa), serving students, researchers, and faculty across 21 NOVA schools with traditional library services, a digital fabrication FabLab, cultural programming, and open science infrastructure including the RUN institutional repository.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Library Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Academic & Research Library Operations (College/University Libraries) (EDAEAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK)

Keywords

• Academic library services
• Institutional repository
• Digital fabrication lab
• Information literacy training
• Cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Caparica

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Biblioteca FCT/UNL delivers academic library services to the NOVA University Lisbon community, including physical and digital lending, an online catalog (OPAC), interlibrary loans, and access to subscribed databases (B-on, NOVA Discovery). Beyond traditional library functions, it operates the FCT FabLab digital fabrication laboratory, the RUN institutional repository for open-access scientific output, and a cultural program featuring exhibitions, theater, cinema (CineClube), and the American Corner partnership with the U.S. Embassy. Services are provided free of charge to enrolled members, faculty, and the wider community as part of Portugal's public higher education funding model.

Product overview

Biblioteca FCT/UNL is a university library serving NOVA FCT (Universidade Nova de Lisboa). Its core offering is traditional library services including the OPAC catalog, lending (empréstimos), interlibrary loans, and online resources (B-on, NOVA Discovery, databases, technical standards). The library differentiates itself through cultural programming featuring the Sala de Exposições exhibition space, CineClube film screenings, and theater performances. It houses the FCT FabLab for digital fabrication education and the American Corner partnership with the U.S. Embassy. Supporting academic mission, it offers information literacy training (Formação), maintains the RUN institutional repository, and provides access to the Polen Data Hub for research data management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) Online catalog system (opac.fct.unl.pt) providing 24/7 searchable access to the library's physical and digital collections of books, journals, and other materials, shared across NOVA schools and faculties.
• FCT FabLab Digital Fabrication Laboratory Small-scale digital fabrication workshop (fctfablab.fct.unl.pt) offering 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, CNC milling, 3D scanning, and manual fabrication tools. Open to the academic community and external visitors through equipment reservations, technical support, and the FabMaster/FabAcademy specialization course (16 ECTS, 16 modules).
• BookCrossing Program Free book sharing initiative hosted at the Preguiçódromo (basement floor) where books bearing a BCID (BookCrossing IDentifier) can be taken, read, and released back into circulation at designated points, with circulation tracked through the international BookCrossing platform.
• CineClube Film Club Annual film club (biblioteca.fct.unl.pt/cine-clube) organizing curated film cycles, screening introductions, and post-screening debates with invited guests in the library auditorium, operating since 2011 with free admission.
• American Corner (US Embassy Partnership) Partnership node (biblioteca.fct.unl.pt/american-corner) within the US Embassy Portugal network providing access to American cultural and educational resources, English-language programming, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, and collaborations such as the Fulbright photographer diary program.
• Sala de Exposições (Exhibition Space) Library exhibition space hosting rotating art exhibitions, photography displays, the Acervo Artístico collection (artworks accumulated since 2006), and cultural installations throughout the year in collaboration with FBAUL, Ar.Co, Berardo Foundation, and ImaginArte.
• Formação e Literacia da Informação (Information Literacy Training) User training and information literacy programs (biblioteca.fct.unl.pt/formacao) including tutorials, guides, workshops, and specialized courses covering research skills, academic writing, citation management, and database usage for students, researchers, and the campus community.
• Polen Data Hub - Área Institucional NOVA FCT Institutional area within the national Polen Data Hub (datahub.polen.fccn.pt) developed by FCCN/FCT for depositing and managing research data from NOVA FCT projects, groups, and research centers, supporting open science data management.
• RUN (Repositório Institucional da Universidade Nova) Institutional repository (run.unl.pt) preserving and providing open access to the scientific output of NOVA University Lisbon researchers, including deposited publications, with bibliographic management features for NOVA schools and faculties.
• Empréstimos e Reservas (Loans, Renewals, Reservations, Interlibrary Loans) Library lending services (biblioteca.fct.unl.pt/servicos/emprestimos) covering home loans, loan renewals, document reservations, and interlibrary loans for accessing materials from other institutions, including 241 interlibrary loan requests processed in 2012.
• Recursos Online (Online Databases and Standards) Portal (biblioteca.fct.unl.pt/recursos-online) providing access to subscribed databases, B-on (Portuguese scientific journals), NOVA Discovery (EBSCO discovery service), technical standards (Normas), and related digital resources for research and teaching.
• Ciência Aberta / Open Science Program Open science initiatives (biblioteca.fct.unl.pt/ciencia-aberta) promoting best practices in scientific publishing, open access research, and coordination of the Blimunda Project for national scientific journal publishing standards.
• Projeto Blimunda Project (biblioteca.fct.unl.pt/projectos-biblioteca/projecto-blimunda) coordinated by the library to develop the future PubIN platform, promoting best practices in scientific publishing among national scientific journals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 266,325 annual library entries; 10,171 documents loaned; 52 cultural activities delivered (2012 data)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Embaixada dos EUA (US Embassy) - FABLAB SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe US Embassy provides support and sponsorship for the FCT FabLab (FABLAB powered by US Embassy), which offers digital fabrication services including 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC, and electronics. The FabLab resulted from this partnership and has been a flagship maker-space initiative supporting both the campus and community with workshops and educational programming.
• American Corner (US Embassy Portugal Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiblioteca FCT/UNL is part of the Portuguese network of American Corners, supported by the Embassy of the United States in Lisbon. This partnership provides access to American cultural and educational resources, supports seminars, workshops, and events, and has facilitated collaborations such as the Fulbright photographer diary program and support for theater productions.
• Empresas / Setor Privado (Private Sector for FabLab)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with private sector companies for digital skills training programs under the Industry 4.0 - Digital Economy framework, aimed at training specialized technicians and creating new professional insertion opportunities through skills development.
• CMA - Câmara Municipal de AlmadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlmada Municipal Council is a longstanding partner in cultural programming, supporting exhibitions, photography projects (Lugares que Já Foram Indústrias e Memórias de Almada), and the annual celebration of the National Day of the Sea. The partnership reflects shared ideals of valuing interdisciplinary knowledge and community engagement.
• Ar.Co (Centro de Arte e Comunicação Visual)minorOthersArt education institution that collaborates with the library on artistic exhibitions and cultural activities, contributing to the interdisciplinary programming that blends art and science.
• Fundação Museu BerardominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Berardo Collection Museum foundation for cultural programming and exhibitions at the library, contributing works and curatorial expertise to the cultural agenda.
• Teatro Extremo - Teatro-Estúdio António AssunçãocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular theatrical company partner that has produced multiple science-themed plays at the library including Einstein (2012), Marie Curie (2011), Transgressões by Nobel laureate Roald Hoffmann (2022), and Armstrong about Neil Armstrong (2019). Also involved in the EmCena a Ciência (Science on Stage) project.
• Teatro MoscaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater company that collaborated on theatrical performances at the library, including the adaptation of 'O Som e a Fúria' by Faulkner in 2015.
• Teatro JB / Teatro Joaquim Benite (Teatro Municipal de Almada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal theater of Almada (Teatro Joaquim Benite) has partnered with the library for theatrical performances, including 'O Som e a Fúria' in 2015.
• A CausaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater group that has collaborated on theatrical programming at the library, including performances since 2010.
• Blimunda ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA major ongoing project that will lead to the future PubIN platform, aiming to promote best practices in scientific publication among national scientific journals. The library coordinates this initiative as part of its open science and open access mission.
• Erasmus+ INNO3DcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ project involving 7 European countries focused on 3D printing literacy in libraries. Biblioteca FCT/UNL is a partner institution contributing to international collaboration on maker-space education and digital fabrication literacy.
• Centro Interuniversitário de História das Ciências e da Tecnologia (CIUHCT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with the library on the CineClube programming (since 2024) and other science history events, bringing academic expertise to cultural programming at the intersection of science and humanities.
• Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (FLUL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with the library on the CineClube 2024 cycle focused on 'Liberdade' (Freedom), a partnership among DBAC, FLUL, and CIUHCT for film programming and post-screening debates.
• ImaginArte (Mês da Fotografia de Almada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography festival organization that collaborates on the Fronteiras debate series and photography exhibitions held at the library, integrating the library into the broader Almada cultural calendar.
• AlmadaFormacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlmada municipality's continuing education network that partners with the library for programs targeting secondary school students and local community, including FabLab workshops and educational outreach.
• VICARTE (Vidro e Cerâmica para as Artes)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch center collaborating with the library on the International Year of Glass 2022 (UN/UNESCO) programming, including lectures, exhibitions, and debates on glass as a material bridging art, science, and technology.
• Fundo Ambiental (Environmental Fund)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the Marlisco project (littering awareness) through environmental programming at the library.
• Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) / FCCN (Unidade de Computação Científica Nacional)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe national science foundation and its computing unit support the library's digital infrastructure and open science initiatives. The library participates in Polen Data Hub, the national research data repository developed by FCCN/FCT, establishing an institutional area for NOVA FCT.
• Faculdade de Belas Artes da Universidade de Lisboa (FBAUL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong ongoing partnership with FBAUL for exhibitions and artistic programming. Multiple student groups from FBAUL have exhibited work at the library, including finalists from the Painting course, and the Formiga Luminosa artist collective. Also collaborated on the 'A Liberdade está a Passar por Aqui' exhibition with artist Fernando Quintas (FBAUL).
• NOVA University Lisbon Schools and InstitutescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe library serves all 21 NOVA schools, faculties, and institutes including FCT, FCSH, FD, ENSP, IHMT, ITQB, NIMS, NMS, NSBE, and others, through shared catalog infrastructure (RUN) and unified access to library resources.
• Fundação Mário Soares e Maria BarrosominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the 'Memória de abril' photography exhibition documenting the April 25, 1974 revolution, providing archival materials and curatorial support.
• Coleção BerardominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed to the artistic collection and cultural programming at the library through art donations and exhibition loans.
• United Nations (UN) - International Year of Glass 2022coreOthersThe library participated in celebrating the International Year of Glass 2022, declared by the UN General Assembly, in collaboration with the International Commission on Glass (ICG), the Glass Community of Associations (CGA), and ICOM-Glass. Activities included lectures, exhibitions, and debates on glass as a transformative material.
• UNESCO - International Year of Light 2015coreOthersThe library coordinated NOVA FCT's participation in the UNESCO-declared International Year of Light 2015, organizing 20 seminars, welcoming secondary school students, and facilitating interdisciplinary programming on light across science, health, art, and technology.
• UNESCO - European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018minorOthersThe library participated in the UNESCO-declared European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 through cultural programming aligned with the year's themes.
• ACP (Automóvel Club de Portugal)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on the National Day of the Sea (November 16, 2018) event, collaborating on lectures, plastic recovery demonstrations, and an artistic mural at the library entrance.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal: Portugal's national library; relevant as a national-scale cultural and bibliographic infrastructure peer whose open-access and cultural-programming remit overlaps DBAC's, though at much greater scale.
• Stanford Libraries: A larger, established academic library system with digital scholarship, open-access repositories, and cultural programming — broader in scale but functionally analogous as a science-university library hub.
• University of Cambridge Library: Major European research-library system with institutional repository, open-access support, and cultural programming — a broader incumbent in scale but conceptually aligned with DBAC's research-support mission.

Direct peers

• MIT Libraries: MIT Libraries integrate digital fabrication/maker-space culture and serve as a hub for cross-disciplinary research support at a science-and-technology university — closely analogous to DBAC's library-plus-FabLab model at NOVA FCT.
• University of Michigan Library: Combines deep research collections, maker/digital-scholarship services, and large-scale cultural programming at a major research university, paralleling DBAC's combined lending, repository, and cultural agenda.
• Georgia Tech Library: Hosts the Invention Studio and maker initiatives inside the library footprint and runs active cultural/community programming, making it a structurally similar library-as-innovation-hub model.
• Carnegie Mellon University Libraries: Operates maker-oriented services, integrates tightly with faculty research support, and runs cultural programming — directly comparable to DBAC's hybrid library/research/cultural role at a science-and-technology faculty.

Regional players

• University of Coimbra Library: The flagship Portuguese academic library system; a natural regional peer given shared national higher-education governance, funding environment, and student body characteristics.
• Sorbonne Université Bibliothèque: European university-library peer with comparable research-support, open-science, and cultural-programming scope at a large multi-faculty science-and-humanities institution.

Others

• EBSCO Information Services: Provides the NOVA Discovery discovery layer and database infrastructure underlying DBAC's online resources — an enabling technology partner rather than a competitor, but a relevant ecosystem peer for understanding DBAC's digital-service dependencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=Ga9kq_CkJFY
• Facebookfacebook.com/BibliotecaFCTNOVA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biblioteca-fct-unl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Biblioteca FCT/UNL