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THE GERD BUCERIUS LIBRARY

“The research library is a quite indis-
pensable adjunct to the collection of craft works.” (Justus Brinckmann)

When it was founded in 1877, the library was endowed with an annual budget of 500 marks for the pro-
curement of new books.
AIt was first housed in the Director’s office, but the number of books soon grew too large to be accommodated there; the budget also rose steadily. The “Gerd Bucerius Library” newly opened in the Schümann Wing in 2000 today comprises over 160,000 media and some 450 periodicals. Specialized literature on all the fields represented in the Museum is to be found on the more than 4,500 metres of shelf space: art and art history, both theoretical and practical, literature on European craft work from

the earliest times up to modern design, as well as books on European sculp-
ture, the art of Classical antiquity, the Ancient Orient and the Islamic world, East Asian art, architecture, fashion and textiles, the World Exhibitions, bibliographic and graphic art and photo-
graphy. Auction catalogues round off the works available.

Regular events held in the Library and the Collection of of the Book Art are intended to reach a circle of persons interested in books in the widest sense. An ample air-conditioned reading room invites all devotees of the book to use the reference books, pursue research or just have a good read. The Gerd Bucerius Library keeps the publications in its inventory in store-rooms spread over two storeys. The material requested will be brought to the reader. Many voluntary helpers from the Justus Brinckmann Gesellschaft devote their time here.