The State Library of Berlin in the digital World Location and Perspectives

The digital transformation is increasingly shaking up the library sector. It is not merely individual services or new, innovative products and offerings which are affected; the entire sector is undergoing a comprehensive change. A particular challenge at present lies in transferring new and flexible business models to institutions which are anchored, for historical reasons, in a material cosmos. However, their users are increasingly operating within digital contexts and, naturally, wish to see this reflected in the services offered by the libraries. In an effort to meet its clientele's expressed needs, the Berlin State Library has expanded its digital library activities. This includes expanding areas of service with a digital infrastructure, but also moving into new fields of activity with future potential. The article highlights the State Library's attitude towards the digital world, identifies its current position within it, shows how it defines the future fields of digital activity in strategic terms and identifies which organisational structures the library uses to develop these.