Librarians depend on a responsibly managed rare and antiquarian book market; antiquarian booksellers, in turn, benefit from the expertise and databases of libraries. Both sides share a commitment to the integrity and responsible stewardship of cultural heritage. The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), the Association of German Antiquarian Booksellers and Stabi Berlin invite to an open exchange.

The focus will be on issues ranging from book thefts to the ethically responsible handling of collections from colonial contexts — from provenance research to discrimination-sensitive metadata. Lectures and a panel discussion will offer a variety of perspectives on shared challenges and possible courses of action.

Knowledge, Notes, Networks: How Antiquarians Help Shape Collections

Beginning with an introduction to the history of the antiquarian book trade in Berlin, the presentation will explore the close relationship between booksellers, collectors, and academic libraries through historical photographs and visual material. Particular attention will be given to the role antiquarian booksellers have played in preserving not only rare books, but also bibliographical knowledge and research context. A central example will be the card index archive of Wilfried Bökenkamp (1897–1987), antiquarian bookseller, collector, and former assistant to Karl Hobrecker.

Dr. Sebastian Schmideler, Head of the Children’s and Young People’s Literature Department, Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin

Difficult Histories: Colonial Legacies, Sensitive Material, and Responsible Cataloguing

How should booksellers, librarians, and researchers approach historical material shaped by colonialism, racism, antisemitism, or other difficult contexts? This session explores evolving approaches to provenance, contextualisation, sensitive language, and ethical cataloguing practices in both institutional and commercial settings. Bringing together different professional perspectives, the discussion aims to encourage open dialogue on how greater care, transparency, and scholarly integrity can strengthen the work of both libraries and the trade.

Lars Müller, Project Coordinator, Koloniale Kontexte (Colonial Contexts), a Working Group funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
Melanie Pehlivan, Deputy Head, Oriental Department, Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
Matthias Harbeck, Head, Specialised Information Service for Social and Cultural Anthropology, Humboldt University Library Berlin
Harald Hultquist, Harald Hultqvist Rare Books, Specialist in Africana and Slavery, Stockholm

Fake Books, Real Damage – How Can We Respond to Book Theft?

In 2022 and 2023, valuable Russian-language books were stolen from libraries across Europe and replaced with sophisticated handmade facsimiles capable of deceiving even major institutions in Warsaw, Paris, and Geneva. The Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin itself lost five Russian books as part of the thefts, which became the subject of a major Europol investigation resulting in convictions in 2025.

The session examines strategies libraries and other collection-holding institutions can use to protect themselves against theft, fraud, and the circulation of illicit material.

The symposium concludes with ILAB Security Chair Scott DeWolfe presenting the ILAB Missing Books Register and discussing the importance of transparency, reporting structures, and international cooperation between libraries, booksellers, and law enforcement in protecting cultural heritage collections.

Olaf Hamann, Head of Eastern Europe Department, Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
Scott DeWolfe, De Wolfe & Wood Booksellers and ILAB Security Chair
Maria Gericke, Chief Inspector, Berlin Police – Art Crime Unit

Registration

Participation is free of charge, but registration is essential.
Please register via: secretariat@ilab.org

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During the event, video recordings and photographs will be taken for the public relations activities of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin. By registering, you consent to their publication for non-commercial purposes.