Deleting the Right: A Digital Book-Burning in Berlin

The European Conservative ^ | 21 Nov, 2025 | Lauren Smith

[MtnClimber]

In Berlin’s Charlottenburg district, there is an unusual library. The Library of Conservatism (Bibliothek des Konservatismus or BdK) was founded in 2012, based on Caspar von Schrenck-Notzing’s extensive private collection of right-wing and libertarian non-fiction books. Today, it has a catalogue of roughly 35,000 titles from German and European writers—including early prints from authors such as Roger Scruton, Edmund Burke, Ernst Jünger, and Carl Schmitt.

Soon, though, none of these titles will be accessible to many German academics and researchers. Without any explanation, the BdK is being thrown out of the Gemeinsamer Bibliotheksverbund (GBV), one of the largest library networks in the country. The library will be made functionally invisible. Library director Wolfgang Fenske, speaking to Junge Freiheit, described this as “an existential threat,” explaining that the BdK cannot store data and create its own searchable catalogue:

Above a certain size, virtually all academic libraries are affiliated with a library network. This network maintains a kind of master data record for each book title. Every library that holds a book in the relevant edition attaches its local data record—which includes, among other things, the book’s call number—to this master data record of the library network.

Fenske stressed that, until the library was handed the termination notice this summer, relations with the GBV were perfectly cordial. He believes, however, that this sudden decision to sever ties with the BdK could be the decision of the GBV’s new director, Regine Stein, who was appointed last October. Given the BdK’s right-wing stance, it is not unreasonable to suspect that a political motive was at play here.

The BdK is not just a library, but also an integral part of Germany’s conservative scene. It hosts talks and events, has its own podcast, and conducts research. And, unlike many left-wing organisations

[Menes]

Oh yes, it really must be.

And thank you again very much for accepting my apology 💐😊