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The International Youth Library (IYL) at Blutenburg
hf. Libr. Rev. (1985)
17, 183 187
The International Youth Library (IYL) at Blutenburg FRANCES
LAVERNE
CARROLL*
Many librarians of many countries are familiar with the International Youth Library (IYL or IJB, Internationale Jugendbibliothek); but few know about Schloss Blutenburg (Blutenburg Castle), an “aristocratic concept of architecture” into which the IYL moved in June 1983. Service until that time was from the central Munich address, the home of the IYL since December 1948, when it was founded as part of the postwar reconstruction effort in Germany. The IYL was founded by Jella Lepman, who was a native of Stuttgart, a British subject, and a special advisor for the American army. The thought, she said, ofhow she could turn the 1946 International Children’s Books Exhibition into an International Youth Library was with her constantly.’ The move to Blutenburg Castle is a significant event in the history of the IYI,, but it is also an interesting insight into architecture. In Blutenburg under lime and chestnut trees, a creation of‘Gothic architccturc exists, resembling a fairy-princess oflasting youth. It stems to talk in Swabian dialect to the river Wurm at its feet that flows into Starnburg Lake. The king, Ludwig tht Second, and Duke Sigismund were, as members ofthe House OfWittelsbach, not only ofone lineage but they also shared an aristocratic concrption of architccturr. Under Sigismund the castle became a Bavarian fortress frequented by many wayfarers. It also provided a home for artists. The castle had its own court and clergy who were rcsponsiblc for the ornate celebration of the church srrviccs2
It is the chapel in which these celebrations were held that has been most thoroughly described. Even a novice in art can recognize the artistically most perfect series of apostles of the whole Middle Ages 3 carved in wood and the unique antique organ in the choir loft which remain in the chapel today. The chapel is currently used for some summer concerts and is open to the public as an historical site. * University of Oklahoma, School of Library Science, 401 Wrst Brooks. Room 116, Norman. Oklahoma 73019, USA. l,J~fla Lepman (1969). .1 Bridxc ~fChildren’.c Books, pp. 82 83. (Translatrdi Chicago: American Library Association. LThe Revcrrnd Dr Joh. Ev. Seit7 i 1975). Art Guide Book No. Cl, p. 2. Munich. Schnell and Steinrr. 3 St&. p. 15. 0020 7837/85/020183+05
$03.00/O
((‘I 1985 Academic I’rrss Inr. (London) Limited
184
F.
L.
CARROLL
The remainder of the castle has undergone extensive renovation to provide a cultural center for a suburb of Munich (Obermenzing), and the IYL occupies the majority of the space on a permanent basis. The most outstanding feature of the progress toward relocating the International Youth Library and the most visible part of the new construction in June 198 1, was the excavation for the concrete and steel underground book magazine. This magazine for storage accommodates the volumes most often required from the collection of books for children and youth and some of the secondary references. The entire collection is almost 400000 volumes in over one hundred languages ((arranged primarily by language and including a number of American and Canadian Indian Languages). The remainder of the collection continues to be stored in the outskirts of Munich with the cooperation ofthe Bavarian State Library. The new storage provides excellent security and atmospheric conditions. In 1983 grass and trees had returned to the courtyard, and the underground storage was invisible from outside. Those who knew the former IYL building as the “House of a T h o u s a n d W i n d o w s ” , a summerhouse of a former palace in the university area of Munich, might say it is moving up in status, into a castle from a house. Physically, however, the provision for storage is “down” rather than “up” as a tower for the storage of the books would have destroyed architecturally the beautiful roof lines of the castle. The storage was, therefore, located under the inner courtyard of Blutenburg Castle. A visit to the site in June 198 1, only increased the “intrigue” attached to the question raised, is an international library different and if so, is the difference reflected in the building, specifically, in the architecture. A computerized literature search previous to the visit did not provide any references on the topic of international library architecture although there is an international style of architecture characterized by glass and metal without decoration except the reflections in the polished surfaces. The restoration and conversion of Blutenburg Castle to provide library facilities is not a departure in architecture that can be termed international. It is, however, intriguing for anyone who sees the challenge of designing an international library. The selection of a new site was hotly debated for over five years and the final decision considered political. However, the site is in a lovely residential area (Pasing) with an elementary (primary) school across the street. The planning for the new building was done in many meetings of the staff of the IYL with an architect who had designed other libraries but who had the added responsibility of preserving the original walls of the castle which is a part of the national trust. The architects wished the castle to come alive with a return ofcultural
Iii I‘ER~ATIONAL Y O U T H
L I B R A R Y \T BLL’TENBURG
18.5
life and not be a museum, but the first studies of overloading the historical structure with an entirely different use (as a library) showed many difftculties. Certainly storage of even one-tenth of the volumes was limited by the castle’s structure in the form of a ring and the need for a transportation system that was weather-protected for the materials moving from one work area to another. With the decision to place the storage underground, it was possible to achieve one-third of the needed space for the library without touching the historical structure. At this point all available space was considered for both the library program and the desperate need for freedom to keep the historical perspective. ‘l’he condition of the castle was considered catastrophic the more the investigation by the structural engineers pro,gressed: huge ceiling beams often did not extend to the walls that should have supported them and certain sections of the building had been anchored on virgin land or in one case on top of a limestone pit. No matter how disturbing the first impression, there was never the less, the architects felt, a clear chance to be able to reconstruct with the technological knowledge of our century, and it seemed to be justified. l Blutenburg Castle has many ofthe characteristics associated with the finest castles of England, France, and Germany: good use of the local materials such as the red tiles of the roofs; a dissymmetry ofdesign that evolved as the emphasis moved from fortress to residence and which lends a piquant air; a blending into the landscape; and a careful attention to detail as in the weather-vanes or the windows where the classic regularity of design gives poise to the structure as a whole. Blutenburg Castle, however, must meet the needs of a library for space. A useful reference2 along nationalistic lines listed the following main points to be considered in planning facilities for services similar to those of the IYL: functions, auxilliary services, and environmental factors. The services and purposes of the IYL are: activities similar to those in a public library for children, a clearirtghouse concerned with literary exchange for editors and publishers, a research and study center for lecturers and students, and a research and publication office for the production of book lists for libraries all under the general purpose of promoting international collaboration and mutual understanding by means ofchildren’s books.3 Details ofthese functions can be found in the annual reports of the IYL. ’ Adolf Srhnicrle and Helga Schnierlr (1983). Anmerkungen der planrnden Architrkten zum Einhau der Intcrnationalrn Jugendbibliothek in das Schloss Blutenhurg. Blutenburg; Beitrtigr zur Grxhichtp van Schloss und Hofmark Menzing, pp. 105- 108. Munich. 2 Cora Paul Bomar [ 1976). Guide to the De&$nnent qfEducatuma1 .Wedia Selection C’mten. pp. 59- 63. Chicago: American Library Association. J Walter Schrrf (1980). International Youth Libraq: Achirwmrrlts and Prospects Within a Rlulticultural Conttxt, Bookbird, no. 3, pp. 3 7.
186
F. L .
CAKKOLL
Among the exhibitions, the largest annual one often is on Trends and Tendencies in Children’s Literature; however, an exhibition such as the complete works in various translations of the French author Jules Verne was possible from the growing amount of original work of authors and illustrators and, since 1970, the incorporation of material of historical value from the International Bureau of Education, Geneva. The display at the Bologna Book Fair of approximately three hundred titles recommended for translation or coproduction, which the IYL staff has chosen and annotated for publishers, is an extremely important one to carry out the goals of the IYL. Examples of the publications are: ?Xe Best ofthe Best, which followed an original idea of Margot Nilson of Sweden to make available checklists of the best books in foreign languages for public, school, and factory libraries in countries beset with the problems of a cultural and sociological nature resulting from new immigrant families and already existing minorities within their national boundaries and Children’s Prize Books which is about 67 national prizes in 24 countries and which also lists 1570 award-winning titles for children. The permanent staff and visiting stipendiates are also responsible for systematic development and maintenance of the collection, the searching of references for scholars in Munich and correspondence of a similar nature with those from abroad, and leadership in workshops and seminars. A lending library, language lessons, and art classes for children have been a weekly part of the IYL program. These services have been the basis for planning the amount offloor space and the use of it at Blutenburg Castle. The art classes for children are being continued and musical activities are to be initiated. A greater amount ofspace will be available for exhibitions. The crowded conditions of shared offices and a small study area have been alleviated. It is anticipated that the use of the IY13 as a study center will increase. The Munich site was overtaxed in its utilization for seminars and workshops. The popularity of the IYL for study groups in the past suggests that the new facilities will in the future provide more space to be used primarily for groups even if the timetabling of the space is shared with the cultural activities of the community. Individual study through the IYL and at the IYL can be encouraged now with the better housing for visiting scholars. The new site for the International Youth Library in Blutenburg Castle seems to have the potential for expanded services and the added beauty of a serene setting joined with a fantasy-like architecture. Dr Andreas Bode was recently named Director. Dr Bode recently wrote, “I was born in 1942 in what is now the German Democratic Republic. I came to the IYL from (West) Berlin, where I had been the Director of
IN~I‘EKNrlTIONAL
YOUTH
LIBRARY
$11‘ HL1~‘I‘kCNBUKG
187
the Central Library of the College of Fine Arts since 1978. I have been an avid collector of children’s books since 1965, concentrating on 20th Century, and have published a number of articles on children’s book illustrators from Russia and Eastern Europe. In spite of my affinity for Slavic cultures, some of my favorite illustrators are Americans; I would mention Maurice Sendak and Peter Spier.“’ He and an already extremely busy staff at the IYL anticipate efficient use of the space for the communication and distribution of information about children’s literature, their major concern. The number ofpeople who visit the IYI, in its new location should increase as many will wish to see the new site and use its improved resources. I Andreas (hrroll.
liodr (19831.
International Youth Library. Munich,
4 October. Ixtter
to I;. 1..
17, 183 187
The International Youth Library (IYL) at Blutenburg FRANCES
LAVERNE
CARROLL*
Many librarians of many countries are familiar with the International Youth Library (IYL or IJB, Internationale Jugendbibliothek); but few know about Schloss Blutenburg (Blutenburg Castle), an “aristocratic concept of architecture” into which the IYL moved in June 1983. Service until that time was from the central Munich address, the home of the IYL since December 1948, when it was founded as part of the postwar reconstruction effort in Germany. The IYL was founded by Jella Lepman, who was a native of Stuttgart, a British subject, and a special advisor for the American army. The thought, she said, ofhow she could turn the 1946 International Children’s Books Exhibition into an International Youth Library was with her constantly.’ The move to Blutenburg Castle is a significant event in the history of the IYI,, but it is also an interesting insight into architecture. In Blutenburg under lime and chestnut trees, a creation of‘Gothic architccturc exists, resembling a fairy-princess oflasting youth. It stems to talk in Swabian dialect to the river Wurm at its feet that flows into Starnburg Lake. The king, Ludwig tht Second, and Duke Sigismund were, as members ofthe House OfWittelsbach, not only ofone lineage but they also shared an aristocratic concrption of architccturr. Under Sigismund the castle became a Bavarian fortress frequented by many wayfarers. It also provided a home for artists. The castle had its own court and clergy who were rcsponsiblc for the ornate celebration of the church srrviccs2
It is the chapel in which these celebrations were held that has been most thoroughly described. Even a novice in art can recognize the artistically most perfect series of apostles of the whole Middle Ages 3 carved in wood and the unique antique organ in the choir loft which remain in the chapel today. The chapel is currently used for some summer concerts and is open to the public as an historical site. * University of Oklahoma, School of Library Science, 401 Wrst Brooks. Room 116, Norman. Oklahoma 73019, USA. l,J~fla Lepman (1969). .1 Bridxc ~fChildren’.c Books, pp. 82 83. (Translatrdi Chicago: American Library Association. LThe Revcrrnd Dr Joh. Ev. Seit7 i 1975). Art Guide Book No. Cl, p. 2. Munich. Schnell and Steinrr. 3 St&. p. 15. 0020 7837/85/020183+05
$03.00/O
((‘I 1985 Academic I’rrss Inr. (London) Limited
184
F.
L.
CARROLL
The remainder of the castle has undergone extensive renovation to provide a cultural center for a suburb of Munich (Obermenzing), and the IYL occupies the majority of the space on a permanent basis. The most outstanding feature of the progress toward relocating the International Youth Library and the most visible part of the new construction in June 198 1, was the excavation for the concrete and steel underground book magazine. This magazine for storage accommodates the volumes most often required from the collection of books for children and youth and some of the secondary references. The entire collection is almost 400000 volumes in over one hundred languages ((arranged primarily by language and including a number of American and Canadian Indian Languages). The remainder of the collection continues to be stored in the outskirts of Munich with the cooperation ofthe Bavarian State Library. The new storage provides excellent security and atmospheric conditions. In 1983 grass and trees had returned to the courtyard, and the underground storage was invisible from outside. Those who knew the former IYL building as the “House of a T h o u s a n d W i n d o w s ” , a summerhouse of a former palace in the university area of Munich, might say it is moving up in status, into a castle from a house. Physically, however, the provision for storage is “down” rather than “up” as a tower for the storage of the books would have destroyed architecturally the beautiful roof lines of the castle. The storage was, therefore, located under the inner courtyard of Blutenburg Castle. A visit to the site in June 198 1, only increased the “intrigue” attached to the question raised, is an international library different and if so, is the difference reflected in the building, specifically, in the architecture. A computerized literature search previous to the visit did not provide any references on the topic of international library architecture although there is an international style of architecture characterized by glass and metal without decoration except the reflections in the polished surfaces. The restoration and conversion of Blutenburg Castle to provide library facilities is not a departure in architecture that can be termed international. It is, however, intriguing for anyone who sees the challenge of designing an international library. The selection of a new site was hotly debated for over five years and the final decision considered political. However, the site is in a lovely residential area (Pasing) with an elementary (primary) school across the street. The planning for the new building was done in many meetings of the staff of the IYL with an architect who had designed other libraries but who had the added responsibility of preserving the original walls of the castle which is a part of the national trust. The architects wished the castle to come alive with a return ofcultural
Iii I‘ER~ATIONAL Y O U T H
L I B R A R Y \T BLL’TENBURG
18.5
life and not be a museum, but the first studies of overloading the historical structure with an entirely different use (as a library) showed many difftculties. Certainly storage of even one-tenth of the volumes was limited by the castle’s structure in the form of a ring and the need for a transportation system that was weather-protected for the materials moving from one work area to another. With the decision to place the storage underground, it was possible to achieve one-third of the needed space for the library without touching the historical structure. At this point all available space was considered for both the library program and the desperate need for freedom to keep the historical perspective. ‘l’he condition of the castle was considered catastrophic the more the investigation by the structural engineers pro,gressed: huge ceiling beams often did not extend to the walls that should have supported them and certain sections of the building had been anchored on virgin land or in one case on top of a limestone pit. No matter how disturbing the first impression, there was never the less, the architects felt, a clear chance to be able to reconstruct with the technological knowledge of our century, and it seemed to be justified. l Blutenburg Castle has many ofthe characteristics associated with the finest castles of England, France, and Germany: good use of the local materials such as the red tiles of the roofs; a dissymmetry ofdesign that evolved as the emphasis moved from fortress to residence and which lends a piquant air; a blending into the landscape; and a careful attention to detail as in the weather-vanes or the windows where the classic regularity of design gives poise to the structure as a whole. Blutenburg Castle, however, must meet the needs of a library for space. A useful reference2 along nationalistic lines listed the following main points to be considered in planning facilities for services similar to those of the IYL: functions, auxilliary services, and environmental factors. The services and purposes of the IYL are: activities similar to those in a public library for children, a clearirtghouse concerned with literary exchange for editors and publishers, a research and study center for lecturers and students, and a research and publication office for the production of book lists for libraries all under the general purpose of promoting international collaboration and mutual understanding by means ofchildren’s books.3 Details ofthese functions can be found in the annual reports of the IYL. ’ Adolf Srhnicrle and Helga Schnierlr (1983). Anmerkungen der planrnden Architrkten zum Einhau der Intcrnationalrn Jugendbibliothek in das Schloss Blutenhurg. Blutenburg; Beitrtigr zur Grxhichtp van Schloss und Hofmark Menzing, pp. 105- 108. Munich. 2 Cora Paul Bomar [ 1976). Guide to the De&$nnent qfEducatuma1 .Wedia Selection C’mten. pp. 59- 63. Chicago: American Library Association. J Walter Schrrf (1980). International Youth Libraq: Achirwmrrlts and Prospects Within a Rlulticultural Conttxt, Bookbird, no. 3, pp. 3 7.
186
F. L .
CAKKOLL
Among the exhibitions, the largest annual one often is on Trends and Tendencies in Children’s Literature; however, an exhibition such as the complete works in various translations of the French author Jules Verne was possible from the growing amount of original work of authors and illustrators and, since 1970, the incorporation of material of historical value from the International Bureau of Education, Geneva. The display at the Bologna Book Fair of approximately three hundred titles recommended for translation or coproduction, which the IYL staff has chosen and annotated for publishers, is an extremely important one to carry out the goals of the IYL. Examples of the publications are: ?Xe Best ofthe Best, which followed an original idea of Margot Nilson of Sweden to make available checklists of the best books in foreign languages for public, school, and factory libraries in countries beset with the problems of a cultural and sociological nature resulting from new immigrant families and already existing minorities within their national boundaries and Children’s Prize Books which is about 67 national prizes in 24 countries and which also lists 1570 award-winning titles for children. The permanent staff and visiting stipendiates are also responsible for systematic development and maintenance of the collection, the searching of references for scholars in Munich and correspondence of a similar nature with those from abroad, and leadership in workshops and seminars. A lending library, language lessons, and art classes for children have been a weekly part of the IYL program. These services have been the basis for planning the amount offloor space and the use of it at Blutenburg Castle. The art classes for children are being continued and musical activities are to be initiated. A greater amount ofspace will be available for exhibitions. The crowded conditions of shared offices and a small study area have been alleviated. It is anticipated that the use of the IY13 as a study center will increase. The Munich site was overtaxed in its utilization for seminars and workshops. The popularity of the IYL for study groups in the past suggests that the new facilities will in the future provide more space to be used primarily for groups even if the timetabling of the space is shared with the cultural activities of the community. Individual study through the IYL and at the IYL can be encouraged now with the better housing for visiting scholars. The new site for the International Youth Library in Blutenburg Castle seems to have the potential for expanded services and the added beauty of a serene setting joined with a fantasy-like architecture. Dr Andreas Bode was recently named Director. Dr Bode recently wrote, “I was born in 1942 in what is now the German Democratic Republic. I came to the IYL from (West) Berlin, where I had been the Director of
IN~I‘EKNrlTIONAL
YOUTH
LIBRARY
$11‘ HL1~‘I‘kCNBUKG
187
the Central Library of the College of Fine Arts since 1978. I have been an avid collector of children’s books since 1965, concentrating on 20th Century, and have published a number of articles on children’s book illustrators from Russia and Eastern Europe. In spite of my affinity for Slavic cultures, some of my favorite illustrators are Americans; I would mention Maurice Sendak and Peter Spier.“’ He and an already extremely busy staff at the IYL anticipate efficient use of the space for the communication and distribution of information about children’s literature, their major concern. The number ofpeople who visit the IYI, in its new location should increase as many will wish to see the new site and use its improved resources. I Andreas (hrroll.
liodr (19831.
International Youth Library. Munich,
4 October. Ixtter
to I;. 1..