Wiener Library
Encyclopedia
The Wiener Library is the world's oldest institution devoted to the study of the Holocaust, its causes and legacies. Founded in 1933 as an information bureau that informed Jewish communities and governments worldwide about the persecution of the Jews under the Nazis, it was transformed into a research institute and public access library after the end of World War II
. The official name of the institution is now the "Institute of Contemporary History and Wiener Library, Ltd."
, a German Jew who worked in the Centralverein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens
(Central Association of German Citizens of Jewish Faith), fled Germany for Amsterdam
. Together with Prof. David Cohen, he set up the Jewish Central Information Office, collecting and disseminating information about events happening in Nazi Germany.
The collection was transferred to London
in 1939 with Wiener making the resources available to the British and other governments' intelligence departments, and the international press, especially the BBC
. The library soon became known as "Dr Wiener's Library" and the name was adopted.
After the end of World War II, the library used its extensive collections on National Socialism and the Third Reich to provide material to the United Nations
War Crimes Commission and bringing war criminals to justice.
The Library's most successful publishing venture was the production of a bi-monthly bulletin commencing in November 1946 (and which continued until 1983). Another important task during the 1950s and 1960s was the gathering of eyewitness accounts, a resource that was to become a unique and important part of the Library's collection. The accounts were collected systematically by a team of interviewers. In 1964, the Institute of Contemporary History was established and took up the neglected field of modern European history within the Wiener Library.
During a funding crisis in 1974 it was decided to move a part of the collection to Tel Aviv
. In the course of the preparations for this move, a large part of the collections was microfilmed for conservation purposes. The plans to move the library were abandoned in 1980 after the transports had already begun, resulting in a separate Wiener Library within the library of the University of Tel Aviv that consisted of the majority of the book stock, while the Wiener Library in London retained the microfilmed copies.
Today the Institute of Contemporary History and Wiener Library in London is a research library dedicated to studying the Holocaust, Nazi Germany, and German Jewry, and documenting Antisemitism and Neonazism.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The official name of the institution is now the "Institute of Contemporary History and Wiener Library, Ltd."
History
In 1933, Alfred WienerAlfred Wiener
Alfred Wiener was a German Jew, who dedicated much of his life to documenting antisemitism and racism in Germany and Europe, and uncovering crimes of Germany's Nazi government...
, a German Jew who worked in the Centralverein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens
Centralverein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens
The Centralverein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens was founded by German Jewish intellectuals on 26 March 1893 in Berlin, with the intention of opposing the rise of Anti-Semitism in the German Empire...
(Central Association of German Citizens of Jewish Faith), fled Germany for Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. Together with Prof. David Cohen, he set up the Jewish Central Information Office, collecting and disseminating information about events happening in Nazi Germany.
The collection was transferred to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1939 with Wiener making the resources available to the British and other governments' intelligence departments, and the international press, especially the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. The library soon became known as "Dr Wiener's Library" and the name was adopted.
After the end of World War II, the library used its extensive collections on National Socialism and the Third Reich to provide material to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
War Crimes Commission and bringing war criminals to justice.
The Library's most successful publishing venture was the production of a bi-monthly bulletin commencing in November 1946 (and which continued until 1983). Another important task during the 1950s and 1960s was the gathering of eyewitness accounts, a resource that was to become a unique and important part of the Library's collection. The accounts were collected systematically by a team of interviewers. In 1964, the Institute of Contemporary History was established and took up the neglected field of modern European history within the Wiener Library.
During a funding crisis in 1974 it was decided to move a part of the collection to Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
. In the course of the preparations for this move, a large part of the collections was microfilmed for conservation purposes. The plans to move the library were abandoned in 1980 after the transports had already begun, resulting in a separate Wiener Library within the library of the University of Tel Aviv that consisted of the majority of the book stock, while the Wiener Library in London retained the microfilmed copies.
Today the Institute of Contemporary History and Wiener Library in London is a research library dedicated to studying the Holocaust, Nazi Germany, and German Jewry, and documenting Antisemitism and Neonazism.
See also
- Austrian Holocaust Memorial ServiceAustrian Holocaust Memorial ServiceThe Austrian Holocaust Memorial Service is an alternative to Austria's compulsory national military service / alternative service founded in 1992. Since 1998 it is part of the Austrian Service Abroad...
- Stephen Roth InstituteStephen Roth InstituteThe Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism is a research institute at Tel Aviv University in Israel. It is a resource for information, provides a forum for academic discussion, and fosters research on issues concerning antisemitic and racist theories and...
- Clark UniversityClark UniversityClark University is a private research university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts.Founded in 1887, it is the oldest educational institution founded as an all-graduate university. Clark now also educates undergraduates...