The Secret State Archives PK opens: New website more user-friendly and up-to-date, reading room accessible again
Press release from 05/12/2020
New layout, new structure, new content - the website of the Secret State Archives PK has been completely relaunched / Research room reopened to users on 14 May 2020
Following the recent amendment to the Berlin SARS-CoV-2 Containment Measures Ordinance, archives are now also allowed to reopen. The Secret State Archives PK has drawn up its hygiene plan in recent weeks and made the necessary preparations so that users can work with the archive materials in the research room again from 14 May 2020. As in all SPK facilities, masks are compulsory here too.
The archive's new website has also been online for a few days, presenting the institution as a modern, service-orientated archive. Hermann Parzinger, President of the SPK: "The expanded content and improved search options on the website of the Secret State Archives are an important service for users, especially during the current restrictions. I would like to thank the Board of Trustees of Prussian Cultural Heritage for financing the relaunch." Thorsten Strauß, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, emphasises: "The Prussian Cultural Heritage Board of Trustees has always been concerned with supporting the SPK in projects that make it fit for the digital age. This is sustainable, and the last few weeks have once again shown how important it is for the Foundation's museums, libraries and archives to present themselves online with contemporary offerings."
The completely revised structure of the website is much clearer. The homepage now offers quick access to the archive database, the library catalogue OPAC and the digitised archive materials. The research options on site and online are explained in detail. The online form for ordering archive materials is also just a click away from the homepage. The information on use and ordering options is supplemented by "I am" navigation tailored to target groups, such as researchers, first-time users and journalists. All of this is complemented by significantly improved search options.
New additions include themed dossiers that offer visually appealing background information, for example on the Reformation in Brandenburg and Prussia, the archive's current Kleist exhibition and the Great Elector, whose 400th birthday we are celebrating this year. They will be continuously expanded and supplemented with further topics. Dynamic content such as news and event information has also been completely redesigned.
The design and features of the website are based on the SPK website, emphasising the GStA's affiliation with the SPK cosmos. Even in the new design, it remains usable on mobile devices thanks to its responsive design. Despite the new URL gsta.preussischer-kulturbesitz.de, it can still be accessed via the old address gsta.spk-berlin.de.
The relaunch of the website was prepared in terms of content and design by an archive working group, implemented by the Graphodata agency and financed by the Prussian Cultural Heritage Board of Trustees. The Director of the Secret State Archives, Prof Ulrike Höroldt: "I would like to thank all those involved, especially Dr Mathis Leibetseder, who was instrumental in designing the content, and his colleagues in the working group for their commitment. They have succeeded in combining our traditional content with new offerings and realising it in a very visually appealing way. Anyone who visits the new website can see this for themselves. I cordially invite you to do so."
Other museums currently open at the SPK
The Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin and the Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut have been open again for external loans since 4 May 2020. Since 12 May 2020, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin have reopened the Gemäldegalerie, Alte Nationalgalerie, Altes Museum, Pergamonmuseum. The Panorama and the special exhibition "Pop on Paper" reopened. More information on opening hours and hygiene measures at