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{{expand list|date=August 2012}}
{{expand list|date=August 2012}}
==Austria==
When Hitler’s Germany started the Anschluss with Austria in 1938, one of the first casualties was the looting of the public and private libraries of Vienna.<ref>Harclerode, Peter and Brendan Pittaway, 2000, The Lost Masters: World War II and the Looting of Europe’s Treasurehouses. Pages 9-15, 22</ref>

* Of the library of the [[University of Graz]], about 100 manuscripts and 4,500 volumes of academic publications, which had been stored for safe keeping in [[Steiermark]], were lost as a result of plunder.<ref>Hoeven, Hans van der; Van Albada, Joan, 1996, “Memory of the World: Lost Memory: Libraries and Archives Destroyed in the 20th Century.” Pages 7-15. They comment from: M. Hirschegger, in Liber Bulletin. Volume 32/33(1989), pages 6-12.</ref>

* In 1938 the Nazis formed a Bücherverwertungsstelle which was a collection and distribution center for books stolen from the personal libraries, publishing companies and bookstores of Jews and other people who's possessions declared in forfeit to the states for political or ethnic reasons. These books contained 644,000 volumes, of which 410,000 volumes were destroyed. This center was directed by [[Albert Paust]], who previously had been the director of the [[Deutsche Bucherei]] in [[Leipzig]]. Libraries in Austria could chose desired titles from this center for their own book collections.<ref>[http://www.lootedart.com/MFVALY48822 Der Raub der Bücher: Plünderung in der NS-Zeit und Restitution nach 1945.] by Evelyn Adunka. 2002.</ref>

* "The two big Vienna Jewish libraries, the library of the [[Israelitische Kultusgemeinde]] (IKG) and of the [[Israelitisch-theologische Lehranstalt]] (ITLA), were transferred separately to the [[Reichssicherheitshauptamt]] (RSHA) in Berlin, where a major part of them was burned in an air raid in 1943."<ref>[http://www.lootedart.com/MFVALY48822 Der Raub der Bücher: Plünderung in der NS-Zeit und Restitution nach 1945.] by Evelyn Adunka. 2002.</ref>

* “The library of the [[Weiner Arbeiterskammer]] (Council of the Trade Unions) had a very valuable collection of material in socialism, communism, trade unions and related fields, but when the Germans took over in 1938 they broke up the entire collection and moved most of the material to Germany. The rumor went around that collection was to form the nucleus for a library of an international labor office to be established under “the New Order”. However, the collection disappeared altogether and has not been recovered yet. The library in Vienna opened its doors again in 1945 with its holdings reduced to a minimum.”<ref>Langer, Elizabeth M. 1949. “Vienna’s Libraries Desire U.S. Books.” Library Journal. May 15, 1945. Page 789.</ref>

* The National Library had been instrumental in of taking the books and other possessions of Jewish citizens, and also other victims of the Nazi regime. It was estimated that about 195,000 books and other objects had been stolen from politically and racially persecuted victims, and unlawfully added to the collection.<ref>[http://www2.onb.ac.at/siteseeing/geraubte_buecher/about_eng.htm Austrian National Library]. 2003. “Looted Books: The Austrian National Library confronts its Nazi Past.”</ref> In 2003 the Austrian National Library in Vienna states that 32,937 books, manuscripts maps and other objects had been restored to their lawful owners.<ref>Werner, Margot. 2003. “Provenance Research and Restitution.” Bericht der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek an die Kommission für Provenienzforschung (Provenienzbericht). Wien: Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. </ref>

* The Austrian National Library in Vienna had a number of books stolen from private libraries stored on site. After the war, these were returned without problems. These were the libraries of [[Moriz von Kuffner]], [[Oskar Ladner]], [[Viktor von Ephrussi]], [[Stefan Auspitz]], [[Rudolf Gutmann]] and [[Alphonse Rothschild]].<ref>[http://www.lootedart.com/MFVALY48822 Der Raub der Bücher: Plünderung in der NS-Zeit und Restitution nach 1945.] by Evelyn Adunka. 2002.</ref>

* A review of the library situation in Austria at the end of the war was prompted by the [[American Library Association]]. "“Vienna was heavily bombed and many of its famous buildings were badly damaged or altogether destroyed. But the library buildings were practically untouched. All functioned throughout the war, with only a short interruption when all facilities broke down in the Spring of 1945. But the conditions have suffered a great deal. There was at first a purge of books when the Nazis took over in 1938, and then all through the German occupation restrictions on new acquisitions and complete isolation from the rest of the world."<ref>Langer, Elizabeth M. 1949. “Vienna’s Libraries Desire U.S. Books.” Library Journal. May 15, 1945. Pages 788-89.</ref>


== Belgium ==
== Belgium ==

Revision as of 21:41, 24 July 2014

This is a list of libraries damaged during World War II.

Austria

When Hitler’s Germany started the Anschluss with Austria in 1938, one of the first casualties was the looting of the public and private libraries of Vienna.[1]

  • Of the library of the University of Graz, about 100 manuscripts and 4,500 volumes of academic publications, which had been stored for safe keeping in Steiermark, were lost as a result of plunder.[2]
  • In 1938 the Nazis formed a Bücherverwertungsstelle which was a collection and distribution center for books stolen from the personal libraries, publishing companies and bookstores of Jews and other people who's possessions declared in forfeit to the states for political or ethnic reasons. These books contained 644,000 volumes, of which 410,000 volumes were destroyed. This center was directed by Albert Paust, who previously had been the director of the Deutsche Bucherei in Leipzig. Libraries in Austria could chose desired titles from this center for their own book collections.[3]
  • “The library of the Weiner Arbeiterskammer (Council of the Trade Unions) had a very valuable collection of material in socialism, communism, trade unions and related fields, but when the Germans took over in 1938 they broke up the entire collection and moved most of the material to Germany. The rumor went around that collection was to form the nucleus for a library of an international labor office to be established under “the New Order”. However, the collection disappeared altogether and has not been recovered yet. The library in Vienna opened its doors again in 1945 with its holdings reduced to a minimum.”[5]
  • The National Library had been instrumental in of taking the books and other possessions of Jewish citizens, and also other victims of the Nazi regime. It was estimated that about 195,000 books and other objects had been stolen from politically and racially persecuted victims, and unlawfully added to the collection.[6] In 2003 the Austrian National Library in Vienna states that 32,937 books, manuscripts maps and other objects had been restored to their lawful owners.[7]
  • A review of the library situation in Austria at the end of the war was prompted by the American Library Association. "“Vienna was heavily bombed and many of its famous buildings were badly damaged or altogether destroyed. But the library buildings were practically untouched. All functioned throughout the war, with only a short interruption when all facilities broke down in the Spring of 1945. But the conditions have suffered a great deal. There was at first a purge of books when the Nazis took over in 1938, and then all through the German occupation restrictions on new acquisitions and complete isolation from the rest of the world."[9]

Belgium

  • Library of the University of Louvain (900,000 volumes, 800 manuscripts, all incunabula, and 200 prints of old masters lost; 300,000 books, manuscripts and incunabula were destroyed in World War I too)
  • Public Library of Tournay (destroyed)

China

  • National Library of China
  • Nanjing Library
  • Institute of Technology of He-pei, T'ien-chin. (Completely destroyed by bombs)
  • Medical College of He-pei, Pao-ting. (Completely destroyed by bombs)
  • University of Nanking. (10% of collections disappeared after 1939. Probably transferred to Japan, together with the card catalogue)
  • University of Shang-hai. (27% of collections in Western languages disappeared after 1939, as well as 40% of collections of works in Chinese. Probably transferred to Japan. Many other books damaged by water)

Czechoslovakia

  • Prague National and University Library (25,000 lost books, mostly art books)
  • Library of the Faculty of Natural Sciences (dispersed and destroyed, including the card catalogue)
  • Ancient library of Jan Hodejovsky (seven codices)

Total losses of books, manuscripts and incunabula estimated at 2,000,000 volumes.

France

  • Municipal Library of Beauvais was destroyed by bombs in June 1940, with the loss of about 42,000 volumes.
  • Both the University and the Municipal Libraries of Caen were destroyed by bombs in 1940.
  • The Chartres Library was hit by an American phosphor bomb that destroyed about 23,000 volumes, including manuscripts and incunabula.
  • The Municipal Library of Dieppe was blown up in August 1944 by retreating German troops.
  • The Douai Municipal Library lost 110,000 out of 115,000 volumes.
  • The Library of the Société Commerciale in Le Havre was completely destroyed by bombs in an air raid. Geographical and travel books were lost.
  • The Library of the National Assembly lost 40,000 volumes during the liberation of Paris in 1944 when German soldiers set fire to the Palais-Bourbon. Old printed works in the fields of theology, science and the arts were lost.
  • The National and University Library in Strasbourg was partially destroyed by an air raid in September 1944. Literary periodicals and publications of learned societies were among the losses, as well as the greater part of the medical collection. About 300,000 out of 800,000 volumes were destroyed.
  • The Tours Municipal Library was hit by bombs in June 1940 and was completely destroyed, with the loss of 200,000 volumes, 400 incunabula

and 400 manuscripts.

Germany

  • Library of the Technical University of Aachen (50,000 volumes lost, including journals, doctoral dissertations and illustrated works)
  • National Library of Germany (2 million volumes lost)
  • Library of Berlin University (20,000 volumes lost)
  • Municipal Library of Berlin (damaged)
  • Library of the Reichstag (almost utterly destroyed)
  • Library of the German Army (damaged)
  • Library of University of Bonn (a quarter of volumes lost)
  • Library of Bremen (150,000 volumes lost)
  • The Hessische Landesbibliothek (760,000 volumes lost, including 2,217 incunabula and 4,500 manuscripts)
  • Municipal and State Library of Dortmund (250,000 volumes lost)
  • Sächsische Landesbibliothek (300,000 volumes lost)
  • Municipal Library of Dresden (200,000 volumes lost)
  • Library of the Verein für Erdkunde (12,000 volumes lost)
  • Municipal Library of Essen (130,000 volumes lost)
  • Municipal and University Library of Frankfurt (550,000 volumes, 440,000 doctoral dissertations and 750,000 patents lost)
  • University Library of Giessen (90% volumes lost)
  • University Library of Greifswald (17,000 volumes and 1,900 manuscripts lost)
  • University and State Library of Hamburg (600,000 volumes lost)
  • Commercial Library of Hamburg (174,000 volumes lost)
  • Municipal Library of Hannover (125,000 volumes lost)

About a third of books in German libraries were lost.

Hungary

Italy

  • Public Library of Milan (200,000 volumes lost)
  • University Library of Naples (200,000 volumes lost)
  • Library of Parma (damaged)
  • National Library of Turin (heavily damaged)

About 2 million printed works and 39,000 manuscripts lost.

Japan

Netherlands

  • Provincial Library of Zeeland (160,000 volumes lost)

Poland

See also: Planned destruction of Warsaw

Most of Polish libraries were damaged and suffered losses by German occupation:

Around 15 million volumes were lost of a total 22,5 million volumes available.

Romania

Serbia

  • In April 1941, the National Library of Serbia in Belgrade was completely destroyed as a result of German bombs. About 1,300 Cyrillic Manuscripts from the twelfth to the eighteenth centuries were burned as well as important manuscript collections of Serbian authors and scholars. Incunabula and old printed works were also destroyed, as were Serbian books printed between 1832 and 1941.

Soviet Union

United Kingdom

  • The University Library of Bristol was damaged by air raids, which destroyed the Library of the Department of Anatomy, with further damage to books by water and broken glass.
  • The Central (Public) Library of Coventry was completely destroyed by German bombs; more than 100,000 volumes were lost.
  • The Central Lending Library of Liverpool was destroyed.
  • About 7,000 volumes of King's College London were removed to Bristol and were lost when the Great Hall of Bristol University was hit by incendiary bombs.
  • The London law libraries of the Inner Temple and Middle Temple suffered losses as a result of air raids.
  • The Guildhall in London was partly destroyed by fire and lost 25,000 volumes.
  • The Minet Public Library in London was hit by bombs in December and lost 20,000 books.
  • The Library of the British Museum was damaged and lost 200,000 volumes in the main building and 30,000 volumes of newspapers in the Hendon Repository.
  • Lambeth Palace Great Hall received a direct hit from an incendiary bomb on 10th May 1941, destroying or badly damaging some 10,000 books.
  • Manchester Central Library sustained minor damage from flying masonry when the Manchester Police Headquarters on Bootle Street was hit on the night of 1 June 1941.

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ Harclerode, Peter and Brendan Pittaway, 2000, The Lost Masters: World War II and the Looting of Europe’s Treasurehouses. Pages 9-15, 22
  2. ^ Hoeven, Hans van der; Van Albada, Joan, 1996, “Memory of the World: Lost Memory: Libraries and Archives Destroyed in the 20th Century.” Pages 7-15. They comment from: M. Hirschegger, in Liber Bulletin. Volume 32/33(1989), pages 6-12.
  3. ^ Der Raub der Bücher: Plünderung in der NS-Zeit und Restitution nach 1945. by Evelyn Adunka. 2002.
  4. ^ Der Raub der Bücher: Plünderung in der NS-Zeit und Restitution nach 1945. by Evelyn Adunka. 2002.
  5. ^ Langer, Elizabeth M. 1949. “Vienna’s Libraries Desire U.S. Books.” Library Journal. May 15, 1945. Page 789.
  6. ^ Austrian National Library. 2003. “Looted Books: The Austrian National Library confronts its Nazi Past.”
  7. ^ Werner, Margot. 2003. “Provenance Research and Restitution.” Bericht der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek an die Kommission für Provenienzforschung (Provenienzbericht). Wien: Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek.
  8. ^ Der Raub der Bücher: Plünderung in der NS-Zeit und Restitution nach 1945. by Evelyn Adunka. 2002.
  9. ^ Langer, Elizabeth M. 1949. “Vienna’s Libraries Desire U.S. Books.” Library Journal. May 15, 1945. Pages 788-89.
  10. ^ Biblioteka na Koszykowej: O nas at koszykowa.pl (Error: unknown archive URL) (archived (Date missing))

See also

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