KREUZBERGED BERLIN

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ON PUBLIC READING – THE LIBRARY MUST GO

While doing some research for the TODAY IN KREUZBERG series, I found this little piece of historic information: on January 1st, 1895 in the house No. 13 in Neue Schönhauser Strasse in Berlin-Mitte the invited guests and accidental passers-by were celebrating the opening of the first public library in Berlin.

The two rooms the library leased inside the Volks- Kaffee- und Speise-Halle (People´s Coffehouse and Canteen) offered 80 seats, 53 magazines and 43 newspapers. Plus, obviously, books.

It was thanks to the great efforts of mostly two people that the library was born: Ernst Jeep, a librarian from the Royal Library, and Bona Peiser, the first professional female librarian in Germany. Opening a public library in Berlin was Bona Peiser´s dream and goal for a long time. She even spent some time in Manchester, in England, learning from the best how such a place could and should be run.

So much for history. As for the modern times, recently I have read in my daily that a small local library in Berlin-Kreuzberg is about to close down. As a saving measure. The costs are high and the public dwindling. No wonder. The library is mostly attended by the elderly people from Otto-Suhr-Siedlung between Oranien-, Alte Jakob- and Stallschreiberstrasse. And by the children living there. As most small local public libraries are.

Now those two groups, who are least likely to voice their anger or despair at their loss on Facebook & Co, will be left to do without. The costs of the library´s upkeep were too high and the use of such a place should by definition remain free of charge. Otherwise, the automatic exclusion begins.

Die öffentliche Bibliothek muss jederzeit für jedermann unentgeltlich offenstehen” – “Public libraries must be always free and open to everyone.”

Who said that? Bona Peiser. The woman after whom the small local public library in Oranienstrasse 72 was named.

Most probably the only existing image of Bona Peiser: the lady standing inside the reading room.

Most probably the only existing image of Bona Peiser: the lady standing inside the reading room.

6 comments on “ON PUBLIC READING – THE LIBRARY MUST GO

  1. Pingback: FRAU PEISER OF BRANDENBURGSTRASSE | KREUZBERG´D

  2. Ben
    January 7, 2014

    Schade. Always a shame to see a library close. I always wanted to visit that one near Moritzplatz, but never got the chance. Where did you learn that it’s closing? I haven’t found any info online. Danke im Voraus!

  3. Ben
    January 8, 2014

    Ach! I see it now, thanks. Pity. I’d better visit it soon, then. My kid goes to the Kita in the Aufbauhaus across the street, so no excuse not to.

    • notmsparker
      January 8, 2014

      You still have a couple of months and tonnes of good stuff for kids there:-) enjoy it!

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