One of Germany's largest art libraries, particularly in the fields of modern and contemporary art, is at risk. The library is spread across several rented locations in Cologne, which must be regularly relocated when lease contracts expire. Currently, the closure of the main site at Kattenbug in the city center is imminent. Without an interim solution ensuring access to the collections and the prospect of long-term accommodation, the future of the library is critically endangered.

The KMB is a globally significant institution with over 550,000 volumes, offering a unique collection, particularly in modern and contemporary art. Alongside the leading art libraries in Berlin and Munich, it forms an indispensable resource of knowledge. The library is not only an open space for research and education but also a central part of Cologne's cultural identity. For the younger generation of researchers and artists, the KMB is an essential place for discovery, inspiration, and exchange.

The closure of the library would be an irreparably loss. It would mark a turning point for the cultural development of the city, a catastrophic precedent with far-reaching consequences. The books in the KMB are a central foundation for the future of art and culture in Cologne. As Umberto Eco writes, a library is "something alive, a space full of energy," and as such, it holds crucial societal relevance.
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Supporters include, among others:

• Gisela Capitain, Gallerist, Cologne
• Marcus Dekiert, Director Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, Cologne
• Yilmaz Dziewior, Director Museum Ludwig, Cologne
• Maria Eichhorn, Artist, Berlin
• VALIE EXPORT, Artist, Vienna
• Andreas Gursky, Artist, Düsseldorf
• Petra Hesse, Director Museum of Applied Arts Cologne
• Walther König, Publisher and Bookseller, Cologne
• Isabel Pfeiffer-Poensgen, Former Minister for Culture and Science NRW
• Gerhard Richter, Artist, Cologne
• Rosemarie Trockel, Artist, Cologne, Berlin
• Günter Wallraff, Journalist and Author, Cologne
• Christopher Williams, Artist, Cologne, Chicago, Los Angeles, professor at the Art Academy Düsseldorf

and many more.
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An appeal by the “Save the KMB!” Initiative
"Save the KMB!" is a citizens' initiative and the revival of the protests from 2013, led by young professionals. As a coalition of various stakeholders, it serves as the voice of a broad and diverse community.

Campaign Team: Jana Hecht, Helena Kuhlmann, Simone Schmahl, Thomas Spallek
More info: rettetdiekmb.de
Contact: info@rettetdiekmb.de
Instagram: @rettetdiekmb