Martin-Opitz-Library, Research library in Herne, Germany.
The Martin-Opitz-Library is a research library in Herne that holds approximately 360,000 books, 12,000 periodicals, and 10,000 maps. The collection focuses on German cultural traditions and histories across Eastern Europe.
The library was founded in 1948 and officially established in 1989 after acquiring 80,000 volumes from the Library of the German East. This transfer formed the foundation for its extensive collection on German-speaking history in the region.
The collection reflects connections between German-speaking communities and Eastern Europe, with materials in multiple languages that document these historical relationships. Visitors can explore the cultural diversity and lived experiences of these regions through the holdings.
The library offers free access to its materials and participates in a Books-on-Demand network that provides digitized works from before 1900. Visitors find all necessary research facilities and specialist guidance on-site for their inquiries.
The library houses specialized archives including collections from the Association of German Ancestry Researchers and the Historical Society of Volhynia. These archives preserve documentary evidence of families and communities that are often found nowhere else.
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