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Документ Microsoft Office Word
The Berlin State Library (German: Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin; colloquially Stabi) is a universal
library in Berlin, Germany and a property of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation. It is one
of the largest libraries in Europe, and one of the most important academic research libraries in
the German-speaking world.[2] It collects texts, media and cultural works from all fields in all
languages, from all time periods and all countries of the world, which are of interest for
academic and research purposes. Among the more famous items in its collection are the oldest
biblical illustrations, in the fifth-century Quedlinburg Itala fragment, a Gutenberg Bible, the
main autograph collection of Goethe, the world's largest collection of Johann Sebastian Bach's
and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's manuscripts, and the original score of Ludwig van
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.[3]
Library of Kings[edit]
In the early period, the fortunes of the State Library rose and fell on royal whims. In 1658 Frederick
William, Elector of Brandenburg decreed that his private books be organized, cataloged and made
available to the public. His library opened in 1661 at Clln as the "Library of the Elector"
(German: Churfrstliche Bibliothek zu Clln an der Spree). In 1699, Frederick I more than doubled the
collection, extended opening hours and introduced the first Prussian legal deposit law. In 1701 it was
renamed the "Royal Library" (German: Knigliche Bibliothek) upon Frederick I's accession as first King
of Prussia. Frederick William I then cancelled the acquisition budget in 1722 and gave away the valuable
scientific collection to the Prussian Academy of Sciences in 1735. Frederick the Great also cared little for
the library at first, preferring instead his own literature in the French language. However, in 1770 he
granted the library substantial assets and it made several important acquisitions. To avoid the problems
caused by its dependence on the crown, Frederick the Great also granted the library considerable
autonomy.[4]
Rise to Preeminence[edit]
With new resources and authority, construction began on a Royal Library building on
the Bebelplatz in the center of Berlin. Built between 1775 and 1785 by Georg Christian Unger to
plans by Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach, it's nicknamed the Kommode (Chest of drawers)
after its Neo Baroque design. The collection then underwent nearly continuous improvement and
expansion. By 1905 it had become the largest and most influential repository of materials in the
German language, and at 1.2 million books one of the largest libraries in the world.[5] The
Bebelplatz building housed the library until 1914, when the headquarters moved into new, even
larger premises on the Unter den Linden: the climax of the library's development before the First
World War. Today the old Royal building houses the Faculty of Law of Humboldt University.
At the founding of the Weimar Republic the library was renamed the "Prussian State Library"
(German: Preuische Staatsbibliothek). After 1919, economic effects of war and inflation on the
library were mitigated through the active support of the Emergency Association of German
Sciences (after 1930, the German Research Foundation).
Locations[edit]
The State Library operates from two major public sites, Haus Unter Den Linden and Haus
Potsdamer Strae, called the "Library in Two Homes".[11] There are additional subsidiary
locations for newspapers, magazines, and archives not open to the public.
Haus Unter Den Linden[edit]
The original main building was built between 1908 and 1913 by the Prussian Construction and Financial
Direction of Berlin, then responsible for public constructions in the city. The Neo Baroque design is by
popular Wilhelmine court architect Ernst von Ihne and was further adapted by Alexander Baerwald, who
was in charge of the construction management. In front of the building is an equestrian statue of Frederick
the Great. The building was 40% damaged during World War II, and after the division of Berlin wound up
in East Berlin. It is undergoing a major expansion by HG Merz, including a new translucent central
reading room on the ruins of the old dome, and will become the main historical research library housing
the collection up to and including 1945.[12]