Dr Hendrik de Buck (1893–1987)

Like Antoon Roos, Hendrik de Buck had already been working in the library as a curator when in 1929 he was appointed as its librarian — on condition that he would shortly complete his dissertation. This he did in 1930. Once again, the growth of the collection necessitated increasing storage space; this time around, an extra building was rented. The number of study spaces was also increased. Hendrik de Buck was in office during the Second World War. Freedom of research and teaching was soon restricted, which also affected the library. For example, ‘anti-German literature’ had to be locked away, while acquiring ‘national-socialist books’ was made obligatory. From late 1944 onwards it was no longer possible to acquire new books, the number of books on loan plummeted, and the library staff was reduced to four people. When the city of Groningen was liberated, the library — unlike parts of the surrounding city center — remained undamaged. After the liberation, staff members returned from captivity or hiding, the reading rooms reopened, and the loan of books was resumed. The Military Authority started an investigation into De Buck’s conduct. He was charged with obstructing or limiting access to certain books and temporarily relieved from duty until September 1945.