Feature Humble yet proud: experiencing the magic of

Morag Evans talks about her study tour around Berlin’s stunning and historic libraries, and discovers in Berlin feelings of pride versus modesty and a city which is hopeful for the future.

WHEN I saw that CILIP and Jon Baines Tours were organising a study tour of the libraries of Berlin, I jumped at the chance. I was born in Berlin and studied German Morag Evans ([email protected], history for my degree 20 odd years ago – @MoragEvans) is Trainee Librarian at so all this, plus improving my knowledge Dorset County Hospital Library. of librarianship seemed like too good an opportunity to miss. Our study tour started on 6 ­October and was led by the very ­knowledgeable Ian Stringer whose humour and anecdotes were much appreciated, especially during his welcome talk on mobile libraries around the world on the first evening. Some of the group joined Ian and his son Paul, who ac- companied us during the tour as translator, on an optional orientation walk of the local the Stabi is generously supported by the area. Later, the nine of us had a lovely wel- German Research Foundation as well as come dinner at a local Italian restaurant; it other foundations, companies, individuals was time to network and get to know each and associations, in particular the Friends other. We were a diverse group of library of the Berlin State Library. The artwork in staff, ranging from those of us in training the reading rooms was particularly out- to those whose experience inspired the rest standing. of us. German Bundestag Staatsbibliothek Next on our tour was the library of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin (‘Stabi’) is one German Bundestag, an impressive build- of the largest libraries in Europe. It is a ing. With more than 1.4 million and library of kings and one could see this by around 8,000 specialist journals, the library its grandeur, the height of the ceilings and is one of the largest and most modern the vastness of the reading rooms. Famous ­parliamentary libraries in the world. It pri- items in its collection include Biblical illus- marily serves the members of the Bundestag, trations including a . The the German government, the parliamentary oldest handwritten is a Coptic codex groups and administration. Our tour guide of the biblical book of Proverbs, dating from was extremely knowledgeable and proud of the third century. It collects texts, media and the library and for good reason. cultural works from all fields of knowledge in all languages, from all eras and all coun- Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin tries of the world. The group next visited the Zentral- und The holdings and collections are impres- Landesbibliothek Berlin (Berlin Central and sive: they include printed work from many Regional Library) – the official library of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin centuries, manuscripts, maps, globes, news- City and State of Berlin and the largest pub- (‘Stabi’) is one of the largest papers and periodicals, books for children lic library in . It was established libraries in Europe. It is a and young people. The transactions are also as a Foundation by two State laws, initially library of kings. impressive: some 1.2 million are recorded in 1995 and amended in 2005. The library annually, including regular loans, ILLs system contains more than 3.4 million elec- and document supply. Regarding funding, tronic and printed media.

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Bundestag dome.

Berlin’s fernsehturm (television tower) behind St Mary’s Church. .

Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek decide on the federal budget and deploy- Murdered Jews of Europe and sections of the At the Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek in Kreuz- ments of the Bundeswehr (Federal Armed Berlin Wall, as well as important buildings berg (the American Memorial Library),­ Forces) outside Germany. Another important constructed during the years of the GDR. the humanities and fine arts, fiction, films, function performed by the Bundestag is the The group had a farewell evening meal at ­music resources can be found. The chil- election of the German Federal Chancellor. another local restaurant and the following dren’s and young adult library is also For me, the most striking part of the Bun- morning some of the group had time to located here, along with its learning centre. destag was the glass roof which represents visit Museum Island. It was then time to re- The ZLB is one of the most frequently transparency in government but also allows turn to the UK for most of us. It was a study visited cultural and educational institutions light into the senate room where the chairs tour which had just the right ingredients, in Berlin. It is hoped that future plans will are the colour of ‘Reichstag blue’. Also strik- interesting locations, lovely participants consolidate the library at one location. ing was the giant sculpture of the bald eagle and great tour leaders in Ian and Paul. After another lovely evening meal, with which dominated this room, a symbol which some of us drinking Kindl beer (well, as pervades German history and politics. Humble yet proud ­library staff it was a must?) and the obliga- Berlin is a city to behold. Its neo-classical tory currywurst we headed back to John F Stasi Museum architecture suggests it was once inhabited Berlin Hotel for a good night’s sleep, ready The itinerary next took the group to the by the gods of Roman and Greek mythol- for the following day’s visits. Stasi museum. The Stasi museum is located ogy. This is a city proud of its history, its in House 1 on the former grounds of the traditions and culture. It is a microcosm of German Bundestag headquarters of the GDR Ministry for State Europe as it reveals the wounds and scars We were given a tour of the German Bunde- ­Security (MfS). The building was erected in of wars and rebellion. The juxtaposition of stag, the national parliament of the Federal 1960-61 as the offices of Erich Mielke, who East and West is seen everywhere, even in Republic of Germany and its location is at served as Minister for State Security. His the traffic light symbols and the mosaic laid the restored Reichstag building in Berlin. ­offices are preserved in their original condition streets. This is a resilient and resourceful The German Bundestag is elected by the and form the centrepiece of the historic site. city, humble yet proud, modest yet self-as- German people and is the forum where sured of its place in Europe. Berlin’s various differing opinions about the policies the Walking tour libraries follow this theme of pride versus country should be pursuing are formulated After lunch, the group was treated to an modesty. They are simply huge. This is a and discussed. The most important tasks interesting walking tour of the history of city which is hopeful about its future; so performed by the Bundestag are obviously Berlin. The tour started in the (city too, it seems, are its libraries. nU the legislative process and the parliamentary centre) and finished at Checkpoint Charlie. scrutiny of the government and its work. Significant aspects of the tour included the The author would like to thank Skye The Members of the German Bundestag also Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Evans for her help with this report.

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