An initial focus for the e-rara.ch project which includes material from all over Switzerland comprises Swiss prints from the 16th century. These play an important role in the history of ideas in Europe and especially in the history of the Reformation. The digitization is being coordinated with the VD 16-1 digital and VD 16-2 digital projects (Bavarian State Library in Munich).

The systematic digitization of 19th century Swiss prints is as yet not within the scope of the e-rara.ch project. Accordingly, only selected holdings on specific themes will be incorporated.

This category includes scientific books collected by the ETH-Bibliothek, dating from the middle of the 15th century to the end of the 19th century. The focus is on subjects such as astronomy, mathematics, technology, architecture and natural sciences.