In the heart of Herne, a city in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, stands a beacon of cultural preservation and historical significance—the Martin-Opitz-Library. Known locally as the Martin-Opitz-Bibliothek, this institution is dedicated to the German culture and history of Eastern Europe, making it a unique treasure trove for historians, researchers, and curious visitors alike.
The library is named after Martin Opitz, a notable poet and literary theorist of the Baroque period, who lived from 1597 to 1639. The establishment of the Martin-Opitz-Library was a collaborative effort between the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the city of Herne, with financial backing from the Federal Republic of Germany. Officially founded on September 25, 1989, the library's foundation was built upon a collection of approximately 80,000 volumes from the Bücherei des Deutschen Ostens, a library maintained by the city of Herne since 1948.
Today, the Martin-Opitz-Library boasts a staggering collection of around 360,000 titles, including approximately 12,000 periodicals, 560 of which are currently active, and about 10,000 maps. This makes it the largest specialized library of its kind in Germany. The library serves as a central repository for literature from Eastern Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, with a particular focus on regions that are now part of Western Poland and the Kaliningrad area—historically known as East Germany.
The library's collection is not limited to German-language materials. It also includes works in Russian, Polish, and other languages relevant to the regions it covers. Visitors can delve into a wide array of subjects, including regional and family history, historical geography, church and religious history, and the literary works of German-speaking authors from these regions. The library also houses extensive resources on the history of German expellees and their literary testimonies, as well as research on migration and minority groups.
The Martin-Opitz-Library is home to several significant archival collections. These include the archives of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft ostdeutscher Familienforscher, a society dedicated to East German family research, as well as the archives of Germans from Central Poland and Volhynia, the Galician German Archive, and the Historical Society of Volhynia. These archives provide invaluable resources for genealogists and historians alike.
In keeping with the times, the Martin-Opitz-Library offers a contemporary digitization service. Since November 2012, the library has been an associate member of the EBooks-on-Demand network, allowing books published up to the year 1900 to be digitized upon request. The library's electronic reading room, integrated into the German Digital Library, includes over 7,000 digital documents. These range from monographs and periodicals to maps and postcards, all meticulously cataloged with structural data for ease of access.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Martin-Opitz-Library is that it is open to the public free of charge. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or a casual visitor, you can explore its vast collections without any cost. The library sees itself as a service institution, dedicated to providing access to its resources for anyone interested in the cultural and historical heritage of Eastern Europe.
Since September 28, 2021, the Martin-Opitz-Library has been affiliated with the Ruhr University Bochum as an associated institute. This partnership underscores the library's academic significance and its role in fostering scholarly research and collaboration.
The Martin-Opitz-Library is primarily funded by the city of Herne and receives approximately 70% of its support from the federal government under Section 96 of the Federal Expellees Act (BVFG). This financial backing ensures that the library can continue to preserve and expand its collections, providing a vital resource for future generations.
In conclusion, the Martin-Opitz-Library is not just a repository of books and documents; it is a gateway to the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Eastern Europe. Its extensive collections, modern services, and commitment to accessibility make it a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring the diverse heritage of this fascinating region. Whether you're delving into genealogical research, studying historical events, or simply curious about the past, the Martin-Opitz-Library offers a wealth of knowledge waiting to be discovered.
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