The National Meteorological Library of Germany: Balancing Traditional Library Services and the Creation of a Digital Collection within a European Context

After the Second World War, the German Research Foundation (DFG) officially tasked the National Meteorological Library of Germany with collecting the international meteorological literature as comprehensively as possible. This decision was mainly based on the unique international historic stock reaching back to the 15th century, systematically acquired since the library’s foundation in 1847. World-wide exchange since the 19th century added so called grey (institutional) publications to its collection, not available elsewhere in Germany. Throughout the decades, it represented an important part of the library’s work to fulfill this special role as National Meteorological Library within the inter-library loan system while adapting to the changing media environment. Combining this role alongside being primarily a service provider to the scientists of Germany’s National Meteorological Service (DWD) is at times a balancing act. Requirements changed fundamentally when the enhancing of electronic services was firmly established in the DWD strategy.

A close cooperation developed with the climate department, in order to fill various data gaps within historical climatological data rows. Digitization of historical stock (yearbooks, weather charts, etc.) is systematically continued.

This presentation aims to give an idea of the library’s efforts at maintaining its dual role while adjusting to the changing requirements of information and data access. To optimize this process, cultivating and expanding the existing cooperation between the libraries of the European weather services seems vital.