The Federal Union of German Library Associations (BID) condemns Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We declare our solidarity with library personnel and libraries in Ukraine as well as with the Ukrainian library association.
We call on Russia to comply with the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its protocols.
Libraries in Ukraine are continuing to provide access to information even in the face of the tragic current situation and are thus upholding the right to critical, democratic, free and objective thinking and activities. They provide places of shelter and refuge for both children and adults. The Ukrainians did not wish this war upon themselves and yet every day the situation becomes more fraught for them; in circumstances such as these, the support given by those operating libraries requires considerable personal courage on their part. The German and international library community thus stands united behind its Ukrainian colleagues.
The associations that are part of BID and many libraries in Germany are organising programmes for the benefit of Ukraine. Libraries are offering grants and other financial aid to library staff who have fled the country. A dedicated section has been set up for our Ukrainian counterparts on openbibliojobs, an online portal advertising jobs in libraries, archives and related institutions. Libraries are assisting with the protection and transport of endangered cultural assets as well as the long-term archiving of digital data.
For an overview of current aid measures provided by libraries and their partners, please visit the website of the German Library Association (Deutscher Bibliotheksverband e. V, dbv)
The Dutch architect and creative guide Aat Vos was presented with the Karl Preusker Medal 2021 on 28 October in Ludwigshafen am Rhein.
BID awards the annual Karl Preusker Medal (Karl-Preusker-Medaille) in memory of Karl Benjamin Preusker (1786-1871) who founded the first German public library in Grossenhain near Dresden in the year 1828.
The medal is awarded to committed individuals or institutions in recognition of special services to German librarianship.
Image: 2021 / Carsten Theumer
Image: 2021 / Carsten Theumer
The 8th German Library Congress took place from 31 May to 2 June 2022 at the Congress Center Leipzig.
Under the motto #CreatingFreeSpaces the Congress was held as a face-to-face event with digital elements (livestream).
President: Dr. Sabine Homilius ([email protected])
Vice-President: Dr. Ute Engelkenmeier
Vice-President: Volker Heller
Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Lorenzen
http://www.bibliotheksverband.de
Volker Heller
Hella Klauser
Marion Mattekat
Barbara Schleihagen
Prof. Robert Zepf
Prof. Dr. Tom Becker
Dr. Ute Engelkenmeier
Sylvia Gladrow
Anke Berghaus-Sprengel
Dr. Klaus-Rainer Brintzinger
Johannes Neuer
Stefanie Kastner
Phone: +49 (0) 30 644 98 99-20
Fax: +49 (0) 30 644 98 99 27
E-Mail: [email protected]
„Von allen Welten, die der Mensch erschaffen hat, ist die der Bücher die Gewaltigste.“