The initial idea of the founders was the creation of a library with national scientific journals and books, in order to cover the need for scientific information and constant access to scientific data. The structure and basic operating principles were pioneering for the time as they were based on library science.
The architects Dimitri Pikioni and Konstantinos Doxiadi were commissioned to carry out the study for the building, construction of which began on 10/5/65 and was completed in Oct 68.
On 17th February 1993, the library was named in honour of the prominent K.Th. Dimaras, one of its creators, and one of the founders of the National Hellenic Research Foundation.
Situated in the centre of Athens, our premises are easily accessible.The design and décor is typical of American libraries. Its dominant interior features are the wooden wainscotting, balcony railings and furniture, and the natural light from the abundant skylights.
In 1968, a Royal Research Foundation - as the National Hellenic Research Foundation was then known - document noted that the library had 2,500 journal titles and thus could also be classed as a documentation centre. However, this function did not officially become recognised until 1980 when the Documentation Centre was established in the library, and almost immediately began services providing scientific information for the entire scientific community, with emphasis on universities and hospitals. This initiative was combined with the existing work of the NHRF library, which, at that time was the central point for information for the scientific community of the country.
Since 1989, with the establishment of the National Documentation Centre (EKT), the library and our services have been its responsibility.