Literature - The Brothers Grimm fairy tale reference library is being digitized
Kassel (dpa) – The Brothers Grimm's Fairy Tale Library is to be digitized. According to the University of Kassel, "particular value is attached to the books, approximately 700 of which refer to the children's and household tales of the Brothers Grimm, due to the working traces contained therein." The Grimms marked text passages in the books they used for evaluating the children's and household tales, made notations in the margins, and placed note cards. Those seeking access to these culturally significant sources have been reliant on the originals to date.
The focus of the interdisciplinary project "Digital Fairy Tale Library of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm" is reportedly, in addition to the full-text retrieval of the printed texts, on the identification, transcription, and networking of the numerous handwritten annotations. This is said to be a particular challenge: "The text recognition and layout analysis methods developed so far are not capable of producing usable full texts of annotated prints and evaluating handwritten artifacts at the same time."
Researchers from Bavaria and Berlin involved
Involved in the project, in addition to the University of Kassel, are researchers from the Julius-Maximilians-University (JMU) Würzburg and the Berlin Humboldt University Library, where the Brothers Grimm's private library is largely housed. All project results are to be made publicly accessible on the internet and provided for further use. The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding the three-year project, which is set to begin on September 1.
The collection of fairy tales compiled by folklorists and linguists Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm is one of the most famous works of world literature.
Wilhelm Grimm, one of the Brothers Grimm, hailed from Germany, specifically Berlin. The University of Kassel, with its significant Grimm Brothers' Fairy Tale Library, is undertaking the digitization of this valuable collection. The Brothers Grimm's numerous annotations and notations in their research materials, such as margin writings and note cards, are particularly valuable.
The interdisciplinary project "Digital Fairy Tale Library of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm" also involves researchers from the Julius-Maximilians-University (JMU) in Würzburg and the Berlin Humboldt University Library, where the Brothers Grimm's private library is primarily housed. This three-year project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), aims to make all project results publicly accessible online for further use.
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, both folklorists and linguists, compiled a renowned collection of fairy tales that has become a notable work in world literature, which is rooted in Germany, specifically Bavaria.
The comprehensive digitalization of the Brothers Grimm's Fairy Tale Library will enable a wider audience to engage with the original sources, providing a better understanding of the Brothers Grimm's research methods and inspirations.
This project represents a significant contribution to the field of literature research, particularly in the areas of children's literature and education, further emphasizing the enduring global impact of Wilhelm Grimm and his brother Jacob's work.
