The Maecenata Library, which currently comprises over 16,000 media items, is the largest transdisciplinary specialist library on the topics of civil society, civic engagement, philanthropy and the foundation sector in the German-speaking world. It was founded in 1997 and was a pioneer in the systematic collection of literature and sources relating to these fields of research and knowledge. For the open-access arrangement, the library developed what was previously Germany’s only subject classification system for the collection areas of civil society, civic engagement, philanthropy and the foundation sector; this system has since been adopted by other institutions. The library now uses the open-source library management system Koha. The library’s development was funded by the Robert Bosch Foundation. Since its foundation, the library has been managed by an academic librarian.
In addition to the collection areas of civil society and philanthropy, the collection areas of governance, global governance, and leadership, management and strategy development in the non-profit sector have been expanded. Of particular note is a relatively large proportion of academic literature in English, as well as smaller collections in other languages. The collections are continuously expanded using the Foundation’s own funds and, on a case-by-case basis, project funding and donations. On several occasions, parts of other libraries’ collections have been acquired, for example from the Federal Association of German Foundations, the Centre for Cultural Research in Cologne (ZfKf) and private individuals.
In addition to academic literature and specialist journals, the library’s collection also includes annual reports and other publications by civil society organisations, unpublished degree theses (Diplom, Magister, Master), collections of materials, relevant online documents, conference proceedings, other so-called ‘grey literature’, and numerous links to electronic resources. For example, the library holds the only complete collection – apart from that of the German Bundestag Library – of the files of the Bundestag’s Enquete Commission on the Future of Civic Engagement (1999–2002).
The library is located on the premises of the Maecenata Foundation in Berlin. It is open to the public and can be used by arrangement with the librarian, Ilka Kleinod. The holdings can be searched via the online catalogue. They are also listed worldwide in the KOBV’s Berlin/Brandenburg Regional Catalogue and in the Karlsruhe Virtual Catalogue (KVK). The Maecenata Library is a member of the ASpB (Association of Special Libraries) and the OPL Working Group Berlin-Brandenburg. Furthermore, the library is networked with universities, institutes, research centres, initiatives and specialist information organisations at both national and international levels.
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS
- Working Society
- Civic Engagement
- Civil Society
- Corporate Citizenship / Corporate Social Responsibility
- Fundraising, Donations and Sponsorship
- Global Governance
- Non-profit Management
- Non-profit Sector
- Philanthropy and Patronage
- Politics and Law
- Foundations
- Clubs and Associations
RANGE OF SERVICES
- Providing academic advice to library users,
- Supporting research visits by academics from Germany and abroad,
- Processing enquiries,
- Providing regular updates on new publications and information sources,
- Compiling subject-specific bibliographies,
- Conducting specialist research,
- Supporting final-year dissertations,
- Providing study spaces with internet access.
The library is itself an expression of civil society initiative. Since its foundation, the development of the collection and the running of the library have been made possible by donations and sponsors.
