If you have a great number of 10th and 11th century buildings hanging around, like Germany does - even after two world wars - it may come as no surprise that German county libraries/archives hold lots of old stuff. ... Not to be irreverent, but for a citizen of a barely 200-year-old nation, the antiquity of the artifacts can get a little overwhelming.
For example, in the Rhein-Seig County Library, there is a lead seal and all, written-on-animal-skin papal letter from Pope Innocent III, circa late 12th-early 13th century, to the Bishop of Cologne. There is also a copy of a 15th century atlas; the Napoleonic Code in French and German; and a musical program from a performance at the court of the Bishop of Cologne that notes, among other musicians, one "Louis" Beethoven.
It also happens that there is a circa 1990, signed draft copy of the legislation that established the reunited Germany, courtesy of the Rhein-Seig landrat, Franz Mueller.
German counties are very much involved in preserving and promoting the country's history and culture. Even the less attractive.
Rhein-Seig County has established a museum at the site of the deportation center for Jews during Hitler's era. The county's chief archivist says the county must not hide its role in assisting the national Nazi government.