Björn Hinderyckx is a historian and information professional who obtained his Master's degree in History from Ghent University (2001–2005). He supplemented these studies with a masterclass in journalism in 2008 and library training in 2010.
After gaining experience in the museum sector at the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, Björn briefly worked on a research project focusing on historical maps of the Westhoek region. He then chose a career in librarianship, specialising in scientific research libraries. At the KASK art library, he took his first steps in librarianship and developed a passion for service based on the hospitality that characterises libraries. This was followed by a period at the Translation Studies library (HoGent), where he further developed his research support skills. At the Faculty of Bioengineering Sciences library (UGent), he combined his strengths in service provision with his expertise in formal and content-related access, taking the faculty library to the next level.
Björn laid the foundations for a new start in the brand-new SMAK Arts Library when he joined as a cataloguer. Then, in 2012, he received an offer he couldn't refuse from Ghent University, his alma mater, to join the library project of the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy. This project involved centralising 80 departmental libraries into one Faculty Library. Working in the highly professional team at the Faculty Library, Björn was able to further develop his strengths and expertise in scientific research support, service provision, cataloguing, and library management.
In 2018, he became a librarian at Musea Brugge, where he realised his vision for the research library of the future and breathed new life into the museum library. Since then, he has put the museum library back on the map. He is at the heart of the BRON project, Musea Brugge's brand-new research centre. His experience in various libraries and his vision of service, hospitality, research support, access and library management are reflected in the four main responsibilities of the BRON research centre: facilitating research, knowledge development & knowledge sharing, networking and community building by using BRON as a third place.
In addition, Björn is also involved in the intangible heritage of fencing, as a fencing instructor in historical weapons and curator of the Bruges Sint-Michielsgilde, preserving a tradition dating back more than 500 years at the oldest fencing guild in the world for future generations.
Library operations, research support, hospitality, knowledge sharing, valorisation, cataloguing, military and sports history, fencing and intangible heritage.
Fencing in the Low Countries: the history, culture, social role and martial ethics of the fencing guilds in the Low Countries.
Hinderyckx, Björn, Gevaert, Bert en Dendooven Hannes. Hallebardiers: 500 jaar Brugse schermerstraditie onder de vleugels van Sint-Michiel. Leuven: de Boekenmaker, 2021.
