Established in 1661, the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin has a rich history. Today we explore a part of it. This is not just any library. It’s a journey through time, culture, and intellectual pursuit. The Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin is the largest scholarly universal library in Germany. It holds over twenty-five million works. These works are in various media.
Imagine stepping back to 1658. Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg, wants his private books organized. He wanted them cataloged and available to the public. By 1661, his vision came to life. The library opened in Cölln. It was known as the “Library of the Elector”.
The library’s fortunes were tied to royal whims in its early years. In 1699, Frederick I doubled the collection. He extended the opening hours. He introduced Prussia’s first legal deposit law. In 1701, with Frederick I becoming King of Prussia, it was renamed the “Royal Library”.
Later, Frederick William I cut the acquisitions budget in 1722. He even gave the valuable scientific collection to the Prussian Academy of Sciences in 1735. At first, Frederick the Great cared little for the library. He preferred French literature. However, in 1770, he granted substantial funds. Important acquisitions followed.
The library gained autonomy to avoid reliance on the crown. Construction began on a Royal Library building on Bebelplatz. Georg Christian Unger designed it. It was nicknamed the Kommode. This translates to chest of drawers. This was due to its Baroque design. The collection expanded. By 1905, it was the largest and most influential German-language repository. It housed 1.2 million books. It became one of the world’s largest libraries.
At the Weimar Republic’s founding, it was renamed the “Prussian State Library”. Post-1919, war and inflation impacted the library. The Emergency Association of German Sciences provided support.
During the Nazi era, the library suffered severely. Political intimidation and employee dismissals took place. Foreign acquisitions were restricted. World War II took its toll. In 1941, a bomb hit the Unter den Linden building. About 3 million volumes and over 7,400 incunabula were evacuated. They were sent to 30 monasteries, castles, and abandoned mines around Germany. By war’s end, the main building was badly damaged. Collections were scattered. Staff members were killed. 700,000 volumes vanished.
The State of Prussia dissolved in 1947. Support ended. The Prussian State Library ceased. After 1945, parts of the collection returned to the Unter den Linden building. It reopened in 1946 as the Public Scientific Library.
After reunification in 1990, the institutions merged in 1992. The West Berlin building and the East Berlin building became “one library with two homes”. The old State Library was reborn as the Berlin State Library. The building on Unter den Linden became a research library for historical holdings. The building on Potsdamer Strasse became a research library for modern holdings.
Today, the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin stands as a testament to resilience. It is a beacon of knowledge. It is a symbol of cultural heritage. As you leave, remember the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin’s long journey. It has evolved. It overcame challenges. It continues to serve scholars and researchers worldwide.