German National Library

German National Library
Name	German National Library
Native name	Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Caption	The main building in Leipzig
Established	1912
Location	Leipzig, Frankfurt am Main, Berlin
Collection size	Over 38 million media units
Director	Elisabeth Niggemann
Website	www.dnb.de

German National Library. The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek is the central archival library and national bibliographic center for all works published in Germany and in the German language. Its legal mandate, established by the Law regarding the German National Library, requires it to collect, catalog, and permanently preserve the entire national published heritage, making it accessible to the public. With main locations in Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main, and a subsidiary in Berlin, it serves as a vital institution for research, culture, and information in the Federal Republic of Germany.

History

The institution's origins trace back to the founding of the Deutsche Bücherei in Leipzig in 1912, an initiative led by the Börsenverein der Deutschen Buchhändler and the Kingdom of Saxony. Following World War II and the division of Germany, the Deutsche Bibliothek was established in Frankfurt am Main in 1947 to serve the Federal Republic of Germany. For decades, the two libraries operated separately, with the Deutsche Bücherei serving the German Democratic Republic. After German reunification in 1990, the libraries were merged, and the unified institution was renamed the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek in 2006 through a new federal law. Key figures in its development have included Gustav Wahl and Professor Elisabeth Niggemann.

Legal mandate and functions

The library's work is governed by the Law regarding the German National Library, which mandates the collection of all media publications issued in Germany, including those in the German language from Austria, Switzerland, and other regions. This legal deposit obligation extends to books, periodicals, sound recordings, maps, and online publications. Its core functions include creating the German National Bibliography, maintaining the authority files of the Integrated Authority File, and ensuring the long-term preservation of collections. It also plays a key role in the national strategy for preserving digital heritage, cooperating with institutions like the Kulturstiftung der Länder.

Collections

The collections encompass over 38 million media units, representing the entirety of German-language publishing since 1913. Special collections include the Exile Collection 1933–1945, documenting works published by German-speaking émigrés during the Nazi era, and the Anne Frank Shoah Library. The German Music Archive, located in Leipzig, holds all published music and music-related literature. The library also maintains extensive collections of posters, patents, and dissertations. Notable items include original manuscripts from the Weimar Republic era and recordings from the Berlin Philharmonic.

Buildings and locations

The library operates from three main sites: the original building in Leipzig, opened in 1916 and significantly expanded with a modern tower completed in 2011; the building in Frankfurt am Main, opened in 1997 and known for its distinctive architecture; and the German Museum of Books and Writing, also located in Leipzig. A subsidiary location in Berlin houses the Collection of Printed Music and the Berlin Phonogramm-Archiv. The architecture of the Frankfurt building, designed by the firm Metaraum, is considered a landmark, while the Leipzig tower offers extensive storage and reading rooms.

Organization and administration

The library is a federal institution under the legal supervision of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. It is directed by a president, currently Elisabeth Niggemann, and advised by administrative boards including representatives from the Bundestag, the Bundesrat, and cultural organizations. It is organized into directorates general for Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main, each managing specific collection domains and services. Major projects, such as the development of the National Library Service Center, are overseen by these directorates in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Society.

International cooperation

The institution actively participates in global library and archival networks. It is a founding member of the Conference of European National Librarians and contributes to projects like the European Library and Europeana. It collaborates closely with the Library of Congress on standards such as the MARC format and is involved in the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Bilateral partnerships exist with national libraries including the Austrian National Library and the Swiss National Library to coordinate the collection of German-language materials, and it participates in UNESCO programs for world documentary heritage.

Category:National libraries Category:Libraries in Germany Category:1912 establishments in Germany