German Museum of Books and Writing
Team WissensSpuren und Deutsches Buch- und Schriftmuseum
The German Museum of Books and Writing of the German National Library in Leipzig is dedicated to the collection, exhibition, interpretation, and scholarly study of artifacts spanning 5,000 years of book, writing, and media history.
History of the Building
On May 9, 2011, the newest addition to the German National Library’s building complex, the fourth extension, was officially inaugurated. This contemporary museum building now houses the permanent and temporary exhibitions of the German Book and Writing Museum and the German Music Archive. Designed by architect Gabriele Glöckler, it is inspired by a book lying on its side, symbolizing the library’s function and the rich history of its museums.
History
The museum was founded in 1884 under the name German Museum of the Book Trade in Leipzig. It is considered the oldest museum of its kind in the world and, due to the scope and quality of its collections, one of the most significant museums in the field of book culture.
Education and Research
The museum serves as both a hub for cultural education and a scholarly documentation center for experts and the general public alike. With over one million objects, the collections of the German Book and Writing Museum rank among the largest and most comprehensive in the world in the field of media history. In addition to manuscripts, historical prints, and modern book art, the museum houses extensive archives and estates dedicated to the history of books, writing, and media. Notable holdings include the world’s largest collection of watermarks, graphics, marbled papers, early writing materials and tools, as well as equipment and machinery used in book and paper production, some of which remain in use today.
Outreach
Located in Leipzig and accessible online through traveling exhibitions, the German Book and Writing Museum offers a rich and diverse program that links themes from the history of books and media with current societal issues. In the permanent exhibition “Signs – Books – Networks: From Cuneiform to Binary Code,” visitors can explore 5,000 years of media history, while the online exhibition invites them on a virtual journey through time.
The museum also provides a wide array of guided tours and events covering media history, as well as topics such as writing, books, printing, and paper. Its offerings are closely aligned with school curricula in subjects like German, history, social studies, and religious studies.