The "Bibliotheca universalis" of the "Altes Buch" library is a department containing a compilation of works of special significance. These were previously included in a "Canon" created by the library's curator, Tassilo S. Schweiger. They are works that may also be available in a newer edition, or entirely new, modern works. The shelfmark prefix "_mod" refers to modern prints from the period after 1800.

The "Bibliotheca universalis" is divided into four categories:

1. World Literature: Aesthetic and linguistic masterpieces of narrative, lyrical, and dramatic art—canonical novels, plays, and poetry that define their eras—which transcend their cultural origins to reflect universal human experiences, yearnings, and conflicts.
2. World Myths: Foundational narratives, sacred texts, and archetypal tales—such as epics and cycles of legend—that forge collective identities, explain the origins of worldviews, and endure as sources of cultural vitality across centuries.
3. Interpretations of the World: Major philosophical, theological, and ideological works that seek to systematically interpret and interrogate the meaning of existence, the ethical position of humanity, social orders, or the universal structure of the world.
4. World Knowledge: Systematic compendia, encyclopedias, and scientific milestones that document humanity’s empirical, theoretical, and technical foundations, while revolutionizing the state of knowledge of their time and decisively driving progress forward.