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Specialist libraries

The specialist and reference libraries of the individual museums/institutions at the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin collectively make up a single system of libraries, in line with standards considered to constitute best professional practice. This system encompasses the entire stock of literature necessary for the museums/institutions to perform their respective functions, and is subdivided organizationally between the Kunstbibliothek and the remaining libraries.

In addition to overseeing the supply of literature to the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, as a major specialist library, the Kunstbibliothek also acts as a nationwide public service. The individual museums/institutions at the Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin are responsible for the selection of publications held by their respective specialist and reference libraries. It is imperative that the library system is set up in such a way as to guarantee a single and unified archive system for the constituent library collections. It is the responsibility of the Kunstbibliothek to take the necessary organizational measures to ensure compliance with this requirement (quoted from the statutes of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin).