Academic Libraries in the German Democratic Republic after Reunification

The transformation of the academic libraries of the GDR after reunification led to a modernization of structures, holdings, and technology as well as to a renewal of personnel. The collaboration between East and West German librarians proved highly productive from the very beginning; the notion of the East German libraries being "taken over" by Western actors is a myth. The entire German library system has benefited from the transformation process, especially the library networks (,,Verbunde"). Standardization and the use of norm data have been accelerated and nationwide projects have gained substance.