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Leipzig Book Tower: A look behind the scenes at the DNB!
Find out more about the impressive book tower of the German National Library in Leipzig and its importance for book archiving.
Leipzig Book Tower: A look behind the scenes at the DNB!
On June 15, 2025, Jan Schäfer will lead a tour of the imposing book tower German National Library (DNB) in Leipzig. The Book Tower, opened in 1982, covers 20 floors and is an architectural symbol of the long history of this institution, which has been collecting and archiving books since 1913. The books are arranged according to format, which enables optimal use of space and avoids constant switching for new releases.
Around 13,900 new publications are recorded, categorized and sorted every day at the DNB locations in Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main, with the majority of these new publications being electronic works. In addition, there are over 3,600 physical media items that also have to find a place in the library.
Optimal conditions for books
The DNB has set up strict requirements for temperature and humidity control. A room temperature between 16 and 18 degrees and a relative humidity of 40 to 50 percent are ideal for storing the books. Daylight is completely excluded in order to protect the materials as best as possible. The building's thick shell also ensures high temperature stability, while the last structural extensions are air-conditioned and thus offer ideal conditions.
Publications and studies
The DNB is not only an archiving center, but also an active publisher. Digital annual reports have been published since 2022, which can be accessed via jahrbericht.dnb.de and offer extensive archive and download options. Among the most recent publications is the book “Knowledge Storage in the Federal Republic” by Helke Rausch, which deals with the history of the German Library between 1945 and 1990.
In addition, numerous publications such as “Umbruch, Aufbruch 1990 – 2020”, which was published on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of reunification, can be ordered online and free of charge, as can information brochures and specialist literature on the DNB and on media history topics. Another appealing title is the architectural guide about the German National Library, which is available for 5.00 euros.
This diversity of materials and information underlines the central role of the DNB as a knowledge repository and cultural heritage of Germany, which is important not only locally in Leipzig, but also for the international community.