War Damage, I939-I945, and Post-war Reconstruction in Libraries of the Federal German Republic and England: a comparison

Abstract

This article is an exercise in comparative librarianship, confined to strict geographical limits because of the vastness of the topic. The Federal Republic is studied first. In 1939 Germany had wonderful research libraries and mediocre public libraries; reasons for latter investigated. An account is given of damage suffered and reconstruction measures. Investigation of war damage in English libraries is more difficult owing to lack of published data, but it is clear that the extent of it is much less. Damage was chiefly to public libraries, which lost much valuable material. In reconstruction, less emphasis was placed on rebuilding than on keeping the service unbroken. The conclusion is that, while war damage in English libraries caused setbacks, England had to reconstruct basically along same lines, incorporating improvements. In Federal Republic library systems brought to a standstill, but the end of the war renewed contact with outside world. Reconstruction gave the opportunity of creating a vastly improved public libraiy system and making the most of remaining resources in research libraries by improved organization in inter-library co-operation, staff training and professional associations.