The Hymnal Archive of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz houses a collection of nearly 8,000 German-language hymnals from the 16th to the 21st century (about three quarters of Protestant and one quarter of Catholic provenance). A special focus in the acquisition of the books was and is to make the most important and the reception leading sources accessible to research. The hymnal collection is accessible as a reference library. As part of the VD 18 project, 39 copies from the 18th century have been digitized and made accessible online; in addition, two originals from the 16th century.
Further digitizing is planned.