Preserving collections - Shaping their use
Photo: DNB, Stephan Jockel
Books, online publications, sheet music, leaflets, even letters from exile – we are constantly expanding our collection and making it accessible to everyone. This is part of the German National Library's statutory mandate.
This valuable cultural heritage, which currently encompasses more than 50 million media, is kept in optimum conditions and made widely available for use. One important task in this context is the digitisation of our holdings. Our work also encompasses the preservation of our collections, from mass deacidification to the restoration of individual books.
Users are the focus of our activities. The wealth of knowledge held by our library is intended to benefit the general public and provide low-threshold access to information. We therefore make sure that our locations offer the best possible conditions for concentrated work and discussion. And we are constantly at pains to expand our digital services and make them widely available for use.
We preserve our common cultural heritage and make it accessible to all with as few restrictions as possible. Support us in this effort!
Donate now
Support your favourite topic "Collection and Use" by making a bank transfer or setting up a standing order payable to the following account:
Account holder: Bundeskasse
Bank: Deutsche Bundesbank Filiale Saarbrücken
IBAN: DE81 5900 0000 0059 0010 20
Intended use: 1156 5111 1240, Spende DNB
Via app
You can access a pre-filled transfer form directly via your banking app using the following QR code.
Your donation to the German National Library is tax-deductible.
Your donation supports
So that Wittfogel's later voice is not lost
Photo: DNB, Theresia Biehl
Karl August Wittfogel (1896-1988) – member of the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research, exile, and leading expert on China – is one of the most influential intellectuals of the 20th century. In 1933, while trying to cross the Swiss border, he was arrested and sent to a concentration camp. After his release, he managed to emigrate to the USA, where he became a professor of sinology. His seminal work "Oriental Despotism" was published in 1957. The German Exile Archive houses unique testimonies to Wittfogel's eventful life: 116 of his personal letters dating from the 1970s as well as publications and interview recordings. Your donation will help preserve this priceless piece of contemporary history and make it accessible – so that history remains alive.
Preservation of our holdings
Photo: DNB, Stephan Jockel
Our conservation and restoration projects enable us to preserve the unique objects and extensive holdings in the German National Library's collections. Preventive measures such as cleaning, packing for archival storage, conservation and restoration measures for damage repair, emergency management measures and support for digitisation projects – all these tasks are vital when it comes to preserving our holdings in the best possible condition and enabling users to experience them.
Funded projects
Numerous projects have benefited from generous support in the past. A selection:
Illustration: Rotraut Susanne Berner
Image / Video 1 / 3
The image as a knowledge resource – illustrations as cultural assets
At the end of 2024, the German Museum of Books and Writing acquired the extensive artistic estate of the award-winning children's book illustrator Rotraut Susanne Berner, thereby ensuring the permanent preservation of her work.
Contact
The opportunities to get involved are many and varied. We are happy to tell you more and answer your questions at engagement@dnb.de
Last changes:
30.10.2025
