Manuscripts and Early Printed Books

The Department of Manuscripts and Early Printed Books, created in 2022, is by far the largest special department of the Berlin State Library, with over 65 highly specialized employees. It guarantees the national and international availability and visibility of globally unique collections (manuscripts, incunabula, estates, autographs, old and rare prints, artistic prints, broadsides and graphic collections, publishing archives - and other special materials), including UNESCO World Document Heritage.

The department is also responsible for the Berlin State Library's 3 million-volume historical print collection and ensures a research-oriented dovetailing of the special and main collections.