Whereas the principle of a single collection serving all faculties arose with the “academy libraries” in 1855, and that of institutions specifically intended for students with the establishment of a “library right” in 1873, it was only with the IIIrd Republic that true university libraries came into their own. Beginning in 1878, under the authority of Republican ministers and with the support of Jules de Chantepie and Lorédan Larchey, librarians both, the doctrine of French university libraries is elaborated and published. This  comprehensive reform is accompanied by financial efforts that will lead to the expansion of book collections and the emergence of a career path for librarians. Under State stewardship, and in divergence from the German model, French university libraries came into existence late and somewhat slowly.