27 September 2023 press release

Construction work is to start at the German National Library in Leipzig in October 2023. It will still be possible to use the library even though the space available will be limited. The construction work is scheduled for completion by August 2024.

The ravages of time are also taking their toll on the German National Library's historic building on Deutscher Platz in Leipzig. The windows in the humanities reading room and central issues desk are to be replaced. The reading room's ventilation system also needs to be modernised. Renovation work will be carried out on the central sanitary facilities on the first and second floors.

While the renovation work is taking place, we will be setting up a central information point for all visitor queries along with a self-service system for the handout and return of the media works made available for use in the reading rooms. The rooms adjoining the humanities reading room will be set aside for group work.

While the construction work is taking place, the issues desk and user registration area will be provisionally relocated to the libraries ground floor, which will be accessible through the main entrance as usual. The humanities reading room and the science/technology reading room will not be accessible during this period. Access routes to the other reading rooms will be changed and signposted accordingly.

During the construction work, the reading room reference collection will be relocated to the closed stacks; staff at the issues desk will make them available on request.

We request our visitors' understanding and patience when dealing with the restrictions during the construction period. They can look forward to modernised premises offering improved work facilities and services once the construction work is complete.

Background

The German National Library collects, documents and archives all written publications and sound recordings issued in Germany since 1913 together with works in German and about Germany published worldwide; it then makes them available to the public. This includes all sheet music and music resources published in Germany. It offers a comprehensive range of services at its sites in Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main along with digital services.

With the German Exile Archive 1933-1945 and the German Museum of Books and Writing, the German National Library also has valuable and rich special collections. It regularly organises readings, exhibitions, presentations and concerts to draw attention to its treasures and promotes a culture of books, reading and music with a diverse programme of events.

Contact

Image material for editorial use

Press image material is only available in German.