{"id":75135,"date":"2025-11-29T23:09:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T21:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/?post_type=magazin&#038;p=75135"},"modified":"2026-09-26T08:18:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T06:18:19","slug":"the-library-of-rescued-east-german-books","status":"publish","type":"magazin","link":"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/collecting\/the-library-of-rescued-east-german-books\/","title":{"rendered":"The library of rescued East German books"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div class=\"cover--lead-in has-spacing--m\">\r\n\r\n    \r\n    <div class=\"cover--lead-in__content typo--tiempos\">\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"entry-categories\">\n\t<a class=\"post__tag\" href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine-category\/collecting\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Collecting<\/a><\/div>\r\n        <h2 class=\"cover--lead-in__headline headline-size--s\">\r\n            The library of rescued East German books        <\/h2>\r\n\r\n                    <div class=\"cover--lead-in__text\">\r\n                <p>How a pastor in Lower Saxony saved thousands of East German books from destruction \u2013 and why one of them gave space research a crucial lead.<br \/>\n<strong>By <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/sarah-schmidt\/\">Sarah Schmidt<\/a> (text), <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/thomas-mueller-vahl\/\">Thomas M\u00fcller-Vahl<\/a> (photos)<\/strong><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n        \r\n                    <div class=\"cover--lead-in__author\">\r\n                \r\n                    \r\n                            <figure class=\"cover--lead-in__author__image\">\r\n\r\n                                                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/sarah-schmidt\/\" target=\"\">\r\n                                \r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC5128-68x68.jpg\"\r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC5128-68x68.jpg 68w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC5128-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC5128-52x52.jpg 52w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC5128-96x96.jpg 96w\"\r\n                                    width=\"68\"\r\n                                    height=\"68\"\r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n\r\n                                                                    <\/a>\r\n                                \r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                            <figure class=\"cover--lead-in__author__image\">\r\n\r\n                                                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/thomas-mueller-vahl\/\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n                                \r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ThomasMuellerVahl-68x68.jpg\"\r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ThomasMuellerVahl-68x68.jpg 68w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ThomasMuellerVahl-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ThomasMuellerVahl-52x52.jpg 52w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ThomasMuellerVahl-96x96.jpg 96w\"\r\n                                    width=\"68\"\r\n                                    height=\"68\"\r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n\r\n                                                                    <\/a>\r\n                                \r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                                    <\/div><!-- .cover--lead-in__author -->\r\n        \r\n    <\/div><!-- .cover--lead-in__content -->\r\n\r\n    \r\n        <figure class=\"cover--lead-in__image cover--lead-in__media cover--lead-in__media--image\">\r\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\r\n                src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-1920x1277.jpg\"\r\n                srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-1920x1277.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-1400x931.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-1050x699.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-670x446.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-420x279.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-04-Kopie-150x100.jpg 150w\"\r\n                width=\"1920\"\r\n                height=\"1277\"\r\n                alt=\"\"\r\n                style=\"object-position: 51.33% 98%\"\r\n            \/>\r\n        <\/figure>\r\n\r\n        \r\n    \r\n<\/div><!-- .cover--lead-in -->\r\n\r\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--m\"><strong>It all began<\/strong> with a picture and a sense of horror. In 1991 Martin Weskott, a Protestant pastor, was leafing through the&nbsp;S\u00fcddeutsche Zeitung. On page four was a photo of books being tipped out of a muck spreader at a rubbish dump near Plottendorf \u2013 in the open air, exposed to the rain, piled up like worthless rubble. Books from East German stocks: Phaedrus, Heinrich Mann, Stefan Heym. Complete, fresh from the printers, some still packed on pallets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"headline-block has-spacing--xs\">\n\n        <h2 class=\"post__headline\">100,000 books on the tip \u2013 and one man sets off<\/h2>\n\n        \n    <\/div>\n\n    \n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">Together with volunteers from his parish in Katlenburg-Lindau, he set off. With a VW van, a trailer and later lorries, when a drinks wholesaler helped out at weekends, they collected books. Tens of thousands of works that were due to be destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--m\">\u2018Many of these books weren&#8217;t just valuable from a literary or historical point of view,\u2019 he says today. \u2018They were unique, and contained knowledge you simply can&#8217;t get anywhere else any more.\u2019 What began as a spontaneous act grew over three decades into a significant collection of books.<\/p>\n\n\n \n\n<div class=\"photo-grid grid-layout--2col-2 has-spacing--m\">\n\n            \n\n            <div class=\"photo-grid__image\">\n\n                <figure>\n\n                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \n                        src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-768x1154.jpg\" \n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-768x1154.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-1363x2048.jpg 1363w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-1920x2886.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-1400x2104.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-1050x1578.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-670x1007.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-420x631.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-350x526.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-300x451.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-05-scaled.jpg 1703w\" \n                        width=\"768\"  \n                        height=\"1154\" \n                        alt=\"\"  \n                    \/>\n\n                    \n                                            <figcaption class=\"photo-grid__image__caption--soehne\"><p><strong>The B\u00fccherburg in<\/strong> Katlenburg-Lindau is an archive of currently around 50,000 books. In the 1990s, the pastor Martin Weskott began rescuing books from being pulped \u2013 at first from the former GDR.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption>\n                    \n                <\/figure>\n\n            <\/div><!-- photo-grid__image -->    \n\n\n            \n\n                    \n                \n\n            <div class=\"photo-grid__image\">\n\n                <figure>\n\n                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \n                        src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-768x511.jpg\" \n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-1920x1277.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-1400x931.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-1050x699.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-670x446.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-420x279.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-09-150x100.jpg 150w\" \n                        width=\"768\"  \n                        height=\"511\" \n                        alt=\"\"  \n                    \/>\n\n                    \n                                            <figcaption class=\"photo-grid__image__caption--soehne\"><p><strong>Under the motto<\/strong> \u2018pass it on, don\u2019t throw it away\u2019, Weskott works to give these books a second life. Visitors to the B\u00fccherburg can browse the archive themselves and take books home in exchange for a donation.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption>\n                    \n                <\/figure>\n\n            <\/div><!-- photo-grid__image -->    \n\n\n            \n\n            \n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"headline-block has-spacing--xs\">\n\n        <h2 class=\"post__headline\">More than 50,000 books: a library against forgetting<\/h2>\n\n        \n    <\/div>\n\n    \n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--m\"><strong>Today the collection holds<\/strong> more than 50,000 works: specialist literature, textbooks, illustrated books and children&#8217;s books. A treasure that isn&#8217;t hoarded but shared. Anyone who drops by can browse, take books away and keep them. \u2018Pass books on instead of throwing them away\u2019 is the guiding principle \u2013 and a quiet rebellion against the throwaway society. At a time when culture is often measured in clouds and clicks, an analogue counter-world is growing here: tangible, lasting, surprising.<br><br>\u2018I have books that are more than 300 years old,\u2019 says Weskott. \u2018I can just take them off the shelf and read them. But digital storage media? You have to back up the data every ten years \u2013 if you can still find the software at all.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n        <figure class=\"post-image--cover has-spacing--m\">\n\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-11-scaled.jpg\"  alt=\"\" \/>\n            \n            \n        <\/figure><!-- post-image--cover -->\n\n    \n\n\n\n    <div class=\"headline-block has-spacing--xs\">\n\n        <h2 class=\"post__headline\">Magnesium silicates and the road to Saturn<\/h2>\n\n        \n    <\/div>\n\n    \n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--m\"><strong>One of the rescued books<\/strong> shows particularly clearly why this work matters so much: a volume on magnesium silicates, printed in the GDR. It fell into the hands of a scientist from the Max Planck Institute for Aeronomy \u2013 purely by chance, when he was browsing the collection after a church service.<br><br>Magnesium silicates \u2013 hardly a thrilling subject. Yet in this book the scientist found crucial formulas for the mounting of a photospectrometer, an instrument that later flew to Saturn on board the&nbsp;Cassini&nbsp;probe. \u2018It&#8217;s absurd and wonderful at the same time,\u2019 says the book collector. \u2018A book that almost ended up being burned contributes to space research. What does that say about the way we treat knowledge?\u2019<br><br>The story made headlines around the world, with articles in&nbsp;New Scientist&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Times. A German book from East German stocks, found in rural Lower Saxony, became part of interplanetary research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"devider has-spacing--none\">\n    <hr>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n    \n    <div id=\"quote-block_abc67172a8fe03d26e2a2690204aa668\" class=\"block-quote has-spacing--m\">\n        <figure class=\"quote\">\n            <blockquote>\n                <p><strong>In a library<\/strong> you can find the things that broaden your horizons even further.<\/p>\n            <\/blockquote>\n\n            <figcaption>\n\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"portrait--inline\" src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Bildschirmfoto-2025-11-29-um-14.22.25-1-52x52.png\" width=\"52\" height=\"52\" alt=\"\" \/>\n                            <span>Martin Weskott<\/span>\n            <\/figcaption>\n            \n        <\/figure>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--m\">\u2018That&#8217;s the encyclopaedia effect,\u2019 he explains. It is the fundamental difference from searching online, he says: on the internet we only find what we can put into words \u2013 in libraries we find what broadens our minds. Many visitors come with specific requests: schoolbooks for their children, study material for teacher training. \u2018Others just drop by because they&#8217;ve heard about us. Especially in spring, when people are clearing out or travelling \u2013 that&#8217;s when it gets really busy here.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n \n\n<div class=\"photo-grid grid-layout--2col-4 has-spacing--m\">\n\n            \n\n            <div class=\"photo-grid__image\">\n\n                <figure>\n\n                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \n                        src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-768x511.jpg\" \n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-1920x1277.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-1400x931.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-1050x699.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-670x446.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-420x279.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-02-150x100.jpg 150w\" \n                        width=\"768\"  \n                        height=\"511\" \n                        alt=\"\"  \n                    \/>\n\n                    \n                                            <figcaption class=\"photo-grid__image__caption--soehne\"><p><strong>The collection is funded<\/strong> entirely by donations. A small circle of volunteers \u2013 around 25 people \u2013 helps with sorting, archiving and restoring.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption>\n                    \n                <\/figure>\n\n            <\/div><!-- photo-grid__image -->    \n\n\n            \n\n                    \n                \n\n            <div class=\"photo-grid__image\">\n\n                <figure>\n\n                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \n                        src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-768x1154.jpg\" \n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-768x1154.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-1363x2048.jpg 1363w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-1920x2886.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-1400x2104.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-1050x1578.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-670x1007.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-420x631.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-350x526.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-300x451.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/MuellerVahl_Thomas_Sammeln-07-scaled.jpg 1703w\" \n                        width=\"768\"  \n                        height=\"1154\" \n                        alt=\"\"  \n                    \/>\n\n                    \n                                            <figcaption class=\"photo-grid__image__caption--soehne\"><p><strong>In Sarajevo, Belgrade,<\/strong> Shanghai or Lviv, the books help people learn German or stock entire philology departments.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption>\n                    \n                <\/figure>\n\n            <\/div><!-- photo-grid__image -->    \n\n\n            \n\n            \n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"headline-block has-spacing--xs\">\n\n        <h2 class=\"post__headline\">From rubbish tip to world library<\/h2>\n\n        \n    <\/div>\n\n    \n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--m\"><strong>What was once rescued<\/strong> from the GDR has travelled on: to Sarajevo, Belgrade, Shanghai and Lviv. There the books now help people learn German or stock entire philology departments. \u2018These books don&#8217;t just have material value, they have cultural value too,\u2019 he stresses. \u2018They show perspectives, voices and content that would otherwise have been lost \u2013 for example from lesser-known East German writers who were never allowed to be published in the West.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"devider has-spacing--none\">\n    <hr>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n    \n    <div id=\"quote-block_7132becf4a4ea8a88ad7932e64424dcd\" class=\"block-quote has-spacing--m\">\n        <figure class=\"quote\">\n            <blockquote>\n                <p><strong>Books aren&#8217;t<\/strong> just memories \u2013 they&#8217;re raw material for new ideas.<\/p>\n            <\/blockquote>\n\n            <figcaption>\n\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"portrait--inline\" src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Bildschirmfoto-2025-11-29-um-14.22.25-1-52x52.png\" width=\"52\" height=\"52\" alt=\"\" \/>\n                            <span>Martin Weskott<\/span>\n            <\/figcaption>\n            \n        <\/figure>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">The collection is funded entirely by donations. A small group of volunteers \u2013 around 25 people \u2013 help with sorting, archiving and restoring. Many of them are retired; some are new. And although the effort is considerable \u2013 every day, duplicates are re-sorted and books are accepted and checked for completeness \u2013 the purpose is greater still: \u2018If we manage to help someone find a good book that would otherwise have been lost, then it&#8217;s been worth it.\u2019<br><br>The outlook remains cautiously optimistic: the collection is now known throughout Germany, and people bring books from all over the country. \u2018I hope this model catches on. In Switzerland, for example, there are the Brockenstuben \u2013 second-hand shops where even people who drive a Porsche buy used goods.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-spacing--default has-spacing--default\">\n<div class=\"devider has-spacing--none\">\n    <hr>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n\n    <div id=\"lead-in-block_368ca3b9397f6a9ab6a47f9cb93c0fa4\" class=\"block-lead-in typo--default font-size--xl has-spacing--s width--default\">\n        <p><strong>Recommended by the editors:<\/strong><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"teaser-grid grid-layout--3col has-spacing--s width--inline\">\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/collecting\/the-worlds-largest-playmobil-collection\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Collecting<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                The world&#8217;s largest Playmobil collection: 400,000 figures                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>It all began in a child&#8217;s bedroom \u2013 today Oliver Schaffer owns the world&#8217;s largest Playmobil collection, with more than 400,000 figures. A visit to his high-bay warehouse.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-768x614.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-1920x1536.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-1400x1120.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-1050x840.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-670x536.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-420x336.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-350x280.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/20241212_FR87726-Playmobilbauer-\u00a9Felix-Kaspar-Rosic_4000px.jpg 2000w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"614\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/masculinity\/being-gay-is-not-a-choice\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Masculinity<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                \u2018Being gay is not a choice\u2019                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>Dirk and Thomas came out to their families only recently. Today they live together as a couple. In an interview with our author, they talk about their path to an open life.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-768x512.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-670x447.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-150x100.jpg 150w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"512\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/masculinity\/i-was-a-hitler-caricature\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Masculinity<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                \u2018I was a Hitler caricature from a bad Hollywood film\u2019                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>He used to march through the streets in a leather coat, carrying the Reich war flag, giving hate speeches and dreaming of the great revolution. Today Axel Reitz works in extremism prevention.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-768x512.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-670x447.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-150x100.jpg 150w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"512\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n        <\/div><!-- .teaser-grid -->\r\n\r\n\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"teaser-grid grid-layout--3col has-spacing--s width--inline\">\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/award-winning\/markus-heft-dreamed-for-us\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Award-winning<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                Dreamed for us                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>Markus Heft portrays older queer people in Germany. Since 2022, he has been creating intimate portraits collaboratively, complemented by still lifes and places. The project preserves queer history and makes visible the double marginalisation of old age.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-768x614.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-2048x1638.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-1920x1536.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-1400x1120.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-1050x840.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-670x536.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-420x336.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-350x280.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fuer-uns-getraeumt-6-150x120.jpg 150w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"614\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/guides\/interviewing-like-a-pro\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Guides<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                Interviewing like a pro: how to stay in control, even with politicians.                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>An interview with a politician can quickly turn into a power struggle. We show you how to conduct an interview with confidence, avoid typical interview traps and keep the upper hand even against professionals.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-768x1024.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-1400x1867.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-1050x1400.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-670x893.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-420x560.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-350x467.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-640x853.jpg 640w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4729-merz-politikerinterviews-150x200.jpg 150w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"1024\" \r\n                                    alt=\"CDU leader Friedrich Merz holding a microphone, talking to former ZDF presenter Klaus Kleber on a stage. In the foreground, two men are seen from behind, lit by flash.\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/at-night\/pankower-tor-toads\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">At night<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                Pankower Tor: the toads missing from the building plan                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>Berlin wants to build 2,000 homes here \u2013 but strictly protected amphibians are holding up the major project. A case study.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-768x576.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-1920x1440.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-1050x788.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-670x503.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-420x315.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9915-150x113.jpg 150w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"576\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n        <\/div><!-- .teaser-grid -->\r\n\r\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"btn-wrapper has-spacing--m\">\n        <a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/\" target=\"_blank\">TO THE MAGAZINE HOMEPAGE<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":62698,"template":"","tags":[385,391,331,374],"magazinkategorie":[217],"class_list":["post-75135","magazin","type-magazin","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-sammeln-alltagskultur-en","tag-ddr-ostdeutschland-en","tag-photo-series-en","tag-erinnerungskultur-en","magazinkategorie-collecting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The library of rescued East German books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A pastor in Lower Saxony saved thousands of books from the rubbish tip \u2013 and, unexpectedly, even helped space research.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/collecting\/the-library-of-rescued-east-german-books\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The library of rescued East German books\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A pastor in Lower Saxony saved thousands of books from the rubbish tip \u2013 and, unexpectedly, even helped space research.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/collecting\/the-library-of-rescued-east-german-books\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Visual Journalism and Documentary Photography\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/wwwfotostudentende\/100065173703897\/\" \/>\n<meta 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