Library
The library's history dates back to the middle of the 18th century: the earliest books came from the Margravine Caroline Luise's personal library and the court library of Baden. During the night of September 2, 1942 the scientific library caught fire from phosphorus bombs of an air raid and greater parts of it were lost. Only the books on zoology could be saved.
The process of replacing the lost literature began during the war. From 1945 on, many of the gaps were successfully filled by the systematic purchase of monographs and journals, an exchange of scientific publications using the museum's own journals, and donations from several scientists. Despite these efforts, irreplaceable losses had occurred amongst the earlier literature. Our library thus contains only 163 books dating before 1800, of which 66 of them originate from the Evers-library.
Our library is a reference library for the use of the museum's staff and not connected to the public inter-library -loan system. It contains ca. 100.000 volumes plus ca. 150.000 reprints (besides the Evers library) about general aspects of natural history and the specific areas of interest of our staff. To a limited extent it is also available to the members of the “Natural History Society Karlsruhe”, the members of the “Friends of the Natural History Museum Karlsruhe”, as well as other researchers. Since November 2011 the State Museum of Natural History has been a member of the “Southwest German Library Network” (SWB), one of the major library networks comprising the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, and the Saarland.
Head of the library:
Dr. Manfred Verhaagh, Dipl.-Biol.
Phone: +49 721 175-2828
E-Mail: manfred.verhaagh@smnk.de
Full time librarian:
Dr. Michael Rauhe, Dipl.-Biol.
Phone: +49 721 175-2883
E-Mail: michael.rauhe@smnk.de
Publications on the library´s development
Ritzi, M. (1949): Die Badische Landessammlungen für Naturkunde in Karlsruhe während und nach dem Kriege. – Beitr. naturk. Forsch. SüdwDtl. 8: 1-4
Hauer, J. (1951): Die Bad. Landessammlungen für Naturkunde im Wiederaufbau. – Beitr. naturk. Forsch. SüdwDtl. 10: 90-95.
Oberdorfer, E. (1951): Zweihundert Jahre Landessammlungen für Naturkunde. – Beitr. naturk. Forsch. SüdwDtl. 10: 69-74.
Rietschel, S. (1992): Vor fünfzig Jahren. – carolinea 50: 5-8.
Verhaagh, M. & Franke, U. (1993): Die Bibliothek des Staatlichen Museums für Naturkunde Karlsruhe I. – carolinea 51, 125-128
