The Jahn Library for African Literatures at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz evolved from the private collection of Janheinz Jahn (1918-1973), whose interest in African literature arose during a public talk by the Senegalese poet and politician Léopold Sédar Senghor in Frankfurt in 1951. For the rest of his life, Jahn not only collected works of (and on) African literature but also translated and edited literary works by African writers.
Furthermore, he compiled bibliographies and reference books and wrote scholarly works related to African literature and culture as well as a large number of newspaper articles. In this way, he significantly enhanced public awareness of African literature in Germany but also worldwide.
The Jahn Library for African Literatures holds a unique collection of literary works in more than ninety languages, including the former colonial languages and/or world languages as well as many African languages.
Many of the books are also interesting as objects, e.g. as first editions or copies with handwritten dedications by authors as well as in terms of what their design tells us about different contexts of publication. The Jahn Library is one of the earliest and most comprehensive research facilities for African literatures in Europe and beyond.
The holdings of the Jahn Library can be searched through the catalogue of the university library.
The Jahn Library is a valuable resource for research in African literatures, which can be accessed free of charge not only by staff and students of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz but also by international researchers and students, visiting scholars, fellows, etc.