"FES-Net-Source: History and Politics" is an online service of the library of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung - one of the world's largest special research library which contains more than 660,000 volumes with a focus on collections in the field of history of the labour movement, social and contemporary history:

• Past and presence of the German and international labour movement,
• German and international social and contemporary history,
• current publications by political parties and trade unions in Germany and selected countries.

By this service we offer a range of (electronic fulltext) publications and documents concerning various issues of contemporary and social history and politics.
Together with the online catalogue, inter-library lending (on national and international level), the digital library, the collection of press-releases and the direct order of document system the library presents a comprehensive service with a focus on contemporary and social history and on the development of political parties and trade unions in Germany and many other countries.
The FES-Net-Source started its service early 2001 and offers a broad range of topics today.

In this early phase the service is mainly directed to German users in the fields of history, politics, education and civic education and most of the texts and publications are in German. Concerning European Trade Union Movement and International Trade Union Movement we have started to present publications in German a n d English in order to direct this service to users who are engaged in history, politics, education and civic education also in other countries. We intend to present further texts in English.

Due to questions of copy right most of the publications are presented without photos or illustrations.
The service of "FES-Net-Source: History and Politics" can be used only for private educational or research purposes. Any kind of commercial use is prohibited.

We would be appreciated to get in touch with the users of the online services of the library of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Please contact: Rainer Gries.

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Rainer Gries
Deputy Head of the Library
of the Friedrich-Ebert-Siftung