The Strategic Compass 2035 is the result of a strategy process that not only involved careful analysis, but also the active participation of DNB employees.

Vision, self-image, mission, and values

The Compass describes the overarching vision for 2035: to create encounters with knowledge, people, and culture and to make Germany's written and musical heritage accessible and tangible. It highlights what the German National Library is: namely, Germany's central archival library and, as such, an integral part of cultural and scientific communities. At the same time, it defines the central task of the DNB: to continuously expand its collections and make them accessible to everyone. And to promote learning, research, creativity, inspiration, exchange, and joie de vivre.

The compass also reflects the core values of the DNB. These values form the basis of our daily actions and planning: freedom of information and expression, diversity, sustainability, responsibility, and competence.

Taking on new challenges

The publishing market is changing rapidly – as are the expectations and behavior of users. In this dynamic information landscape, libraries are also required to continuously rethink and develop their role and relevance. The DNB takes this task very seriously. It has always closely monitored new developments and requirements. For example, it paved the way for digital metadata at an early stage. Today, it relies on automated cataloguing processes and AI-based technologies. And development is far from complete.

In a world that is changing in ever shorter cycles, traditional long-term planning is reaching its limits. Political, technological, and social developments are increasingly dynamic and often unpredictable. Making a statement about where the German National Library will be in ten years' time would therefore not only be risky, but also counterproductive. That is why the Compass serves as a guide: it formulates guidelines that set a clear direction without restricting the necessary flexibility.

Four guidelines for the next ten years

These four guidelines will accompany the work of the German National Library until 2035: Focus on users, automation and digitalisation as the driving forces, strong external networking and meaningful work inside. These form the basis for the Strategic Priorities 2025-2027. Representatives from all areas of the DNB have developed a total of 13 priorities. These form the basis for the concrete planning of implementation over the next three years.

From guideline to concrete measure

How do you get from a guideline to a concrete measure? This can best be illustrated by the example of the guideline “Users at the centre.” It stands for a fundamental shift in focus: away from the media and toward the people who use them. This has an impact on the work of all departments: “Users at the centre” affects the design of the reading rooms as well as the cataloguing of works and even information technology and communication. The aim is to make the locations even more attractive for users and to further develop the German National Library into a lively place of learning.

Even though the needs and wishes of users are quite diverse, this guideline means that the German National Library is even more consistently oriented toward the needs of users and is developing, expanding, or rethinking its analog and digital services and offerings accordingly.

What happens next?

Strategy work is a continuous process. The Objectives and Key Results (OKR) method helps to translate abstract priorities into concrete, precise goals and measurable milestones. It makes progress and interim results visible. This enables the German National Library to respond flexibly to social and technological developments and changes and to actively shape them. At the same time, successes become more clearly recognizable – and can be celebrated together.

The Strategy 2035 for further reading

If you would like to found out more about the strategy in detail, you can find the Strategic Compass 2035 and the Strategic Priorities 2025–2027 here.