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The Goettingen State and University Library (SUB) is one of the largest libraries in Germany. Its holdings include 4,500,000 books, 1,100,00 items in microform, 14,000 journal subscriptions, 13,000 manuscripts, posthumous works, more than 300 online and CD-Rom databases as well as extensive digital materials (more that 5 millions images). Spread over several buildings the library offers a variety of easily accessible materials for both research and study. Each day some 4,000 people use the new library building alone.

On the basis of its background and tradition as a research library the SUB was able to build up collections of national and international rank, which were continually cared for and which scarcely suffered any loss or damage during the Second World War. It is this base from which its responsibilities as state library for Lower Saxony, special-subject collection library and the National Library for the 18th century stem.

The SUB makes its holdings available not just locally and through inter-library loan and document delivery service, but also in microform and digitised form. The Centre for Retrospective Digitisation (GDZ) serves as a nationally designated centre for digitisation projects (e.g. Gutenberg and Luther Bibles) and standardisation activities (e.g. Metadata Encoding Transmission Standard).

SUB’s digital library is being developed with emphasis on its special-subject collections. Some products, such as the internet guides and virtual libraries, particularly enjoy international popularity.

The Research & Development department (RDD) works jointly with many partners in Germany and around the world in standardisation and cooperative projects as well as initiatives.

As a cultural heritage institution which intends to ensure long-term access over time SUB Göttingen focussed research activities also on the field of long-term preservation.

An outstanding example of the combination of library tradition and advanced use of new media is the world renowned first-time digitisation of the Bible printed by Johannes Gutenberg, which was entered into the UNESCO-Register „Memory of the World“. The qualification of connecting the cultural heritage with future-oriented technical development has been recognised by the German Library Association (Deutscher Bibliotheksverband e.V.) and the ZEIT-Foundation Ebelin and Gerd Bucerius with the award „Library of the Year 2002“ (24 October 2002).