The Book Museum of the SLUB Dresden showcases impressive treasures from the library’s diverse collections, including photographs, parchment manuscripts, sheet music, and early films. A particular highlight is the famous Maya Codex, one of only four surviving manuscripts of the pre-Columbian Maya culture worldwide. It serves as a key to deciphering hieroglyphs and exploring the astronomy and timekeeping of this ancient civilization. The history of the SLUB Dresden's collections dates back to the 16th century, when Elector Augustus of Saxony began acquiring books intensively. In the 18th century, the library expanded significantly through extensive acquisitions. From 1835, the most valuable pieces, known as Zimelien, were displayed in a separate room. A dedicated Book Museum was established in 1935 and reopened in 2003 following the merger into the SLUB Dresden.