Research into medieval libraries

The "Research into medieval library holdings" is the subject of the second library workshop in Trier from November 23rd to 24th, 2007, which is part of the Historical-Cultural Research Center (HKFZ) Mainz-Trier, Working Group V "Media and Methods of Constructing Knowledge Spaces" takes place in the city library from 1 p.m.

Research into library holdings is the focus of this workshop, which ties in with the first HKFZ library workshop "Reconstruction and Development of Medieval Libraries: New Forms of Manuscript Indexing and Manuscript Presentation".

Hardly any other landscape was so rich in important historical libraries before secularization in the 19th century as the archbishoprics of Trier, Mainz, Cologne and their neighboring areas. In addition to the three cathedral libraries, a large number of different library types can be found in a very small space, such as the humanist libraries of Nikolaus Cusanus in Bernkastel-Kues or Johannes Trithemius in Sponheim, monastery libraries such as those of the Benedictines of St. Matthias in Trier and Echternach, the Augustinian Canons in Eberhardsklausen and the Carthusian monks in Mainz, or aristocratic libraries like those of the Counts of Manderscheid-Blankenheim. Even if these libraries no longer exist today and their holdings have been scattered around the world, they can still be reconstructed virtually.

By evaluating these different areas of knowledge, important statements can be made about the mentality as well as the intellectual and cultural horizon of library owners and at the same time reactions to historical-cultural impulses such as the Carolingian Renaissance, monastic reform movements, Reformation and Counter-Reformation can be demonstrated. An important aspect is the elaboration of similarities and differences with regard to the different library holdings, towards the creation of a differentiated library typology. Not only will three Rhenish dioceses be examined, but other current research projects will also be presented in a national and international context.

The aim of the event is therefore to report on current projects in the field of library history, the digitization of manuscripts and the indexing and research of library and manuscript holdings and to stimulate an international, interdisciplinary dialogue.

The aim of the workshop is to come to an understanding about specific aspects of the individual projects against the background of the basic reconstruction possibilities and to address content-related and technological problem areas.