Subject Collections
Throughout its history, the library has acquired a number of specialised collections that enrich its holdings today, including the Library Archive, the University's Portrait Collection, and the Records of the Nuremberg Trials.
Records of the Nuremberg Trials
SUB Göttingen holds one of Germany’s largest collections on the Nuremberg Trials. It comprises trial documents, photocopies, and microfilms relating to the International Military Tribunal and the subsequent Nuremberg Military Tribunals. Over time, the original collection has been expanded with additional contemporary sources and publications from other institutions.
Established in 1949, the “Nuremberg Apparatus” (official title: Research Center for Occupation Issues) indexed and researched these records. While the collection is not fully catalogued, brief inventories or card indexes are available for certain trials.
Archive of the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Lower Saxony
Founded in 1751, the Archive of the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Lower Saxony is the oldest archive connected to the University of Göttingen. It is held as a deposit at SUB Göttingen. The Archive was established between 1753 and 1756 by librarian Georg Christoph Hamberger, building on earlier work by Johann David Michaelis, secretary of the “Königliche Societät der Wissenschaften”, and the Academy’s first directors, Samuel Christian Hollmann and Johann Matthias Gesner. Today, it holds around 60 meters of files, divided into five main groups covering the Academy’s organisation, members and staff, academic projects, and publications.
Library Archive
Founded in 1763 at the suggestion of library directors Johann David Michaelis and Christian Gottlob Heyne, the Library Archive of SUB Göttingen contains over 75 metres of historical material, spanning from the Library's foundation in 1734 to the second half of the 20th century. The collection includes documents on library administration and organisation, budgets and finances, building and facilities, administrative reports, and records related to collections, donations, and acquisitions. It also preserves the Library’s historical catalogues, accession books, and lending journals. The holdings of the Library Archive are gradually being catalogued in Kalliope.
University Portrait Collection
The University Portrait Collection includes over 3,400 images of Göttingen professors and other scholars. It was started by Göttingen anatomy professor Max Voit in 1921, and is therefore also called the “Voit Collection.” After his death, the collection was taken over by the University Library and continues to
Schlözer-Stiftung
Bei der Schlözer-Stiftung handelt es sich um eine Sammlung von Büchern, Handschriften, Noten, Kunstwerken, Möbeln und Gebrauchsgegenständen aus dem Besitz der Familie von Schlözer. Zu ihren bekanntesten Mitgliedern zählen August Ludwig von Schlözer, ein bedeutender Publizist der Aufklärung und Professor an der Universität Göttingen, sowie seine Tochter Dorothea von Schlözer. Dorothea war die erste Frau, die an der Universität Göttingen promoviert wurde, und die zweite Frau in Deutschland, der ein Doktortitel verliehen wurde.
Die Drucke aus der Schlözer-Stiftung sind in den elektronischen Bibliothekskatalogen GUK und GöDiscovery nachgewiesen, die Handschriften im Kalliope-Portal erschlossen. Die Kunst- und Alltagsgegenstände wurden im Sammlungsportal der Universität Göttingen erfasst.
Search our Collections
For more information on databases and catalogues related to these subject collections, please consult the Search section. Detailed information on selected collections is provided in the Sammlungskatalog.
Use our Collections
Materials from the Special Collections may be requested and viewed in the reading room of the Historical Building. For more information, see: Visiting the Reading Room.
