29 April 2019 press release

Frank Scholze to be appointed the new Director General of the German National Library

In accordance with the recommendations of a selection committee, the Administrative Council of the German National Library is to propose to the Federal President that Frank Scholze be appointed as Director General of the German National Library. Following a selection procedure lasting several months, the decision was announced today by the Administrative Council, the National Library’s highest authority.

Frank Scholze, born in 1968, has been working as Director of Library Services at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology since 2010. He previously studied Librarianship, Art History and English Studies. From January 2020 he will succeed Elisabeth Niggemann, who will be retiring at the end of 2019 after 20 successful years in the post.

Monika Grütters, Minister of State for Culture and the Media, welcomed the decision from the Administrative Council: “Thanks to his professional qualifications as a librarian, and his extensive experience as Director of Library Services at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Frank Scholze is eminently suited to taking on this important position. His extensive expertise, leadership skills, and in particular his experience in the field of digital libraries are ideal qualifications for this post. I am certain that in Frank Scholze’s hands, the German National Library will be well prepared to face any challenges the future holds, and that he will succeed in carrying the transformation process forward and ensuring the German National Library is well positioned for the digital age.”

Frank Scholze thanked the Administrative Council for placing its trust in him. He continued by saying: “I am delighted to be able to help further develop the German National Library as a cultural archive for both the past and the future. Cooperation with my colleagues and partner institutions will be a core value for me.”

Background

The German National Library collects, catalogues and archives all printed and digital material published or distributed in Germany since 1913 along with foreign publications about Germany or in the German language. This includes all sheet music and music resources published in Germany. The German National Library’s collections consist of more than 36 million media units; these can be accessed in the reading rooms in Leipzig and Frankfurt and in digital form in the World Wide Web where this is permitted by law. Various other user services are also provided.

In addition, the German National Library also houses valuable and extensive special collections in the German Exile Archive 1933-1945 and the German Museum of Books and Writing. It showcases its valuable collections and promotes the culture of books, reading and music by regularly staging readings, exhibitions, lectures and concerts. It houses over 36 million media units and attracts roughly 220,000 visitors to its two sites in Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main with its collections and rich and varied programme of events.

Contact

Images for editorial use