Information and knowledge embedded in the context of changing cultural values shape the future of modern societies. Libraries are an essential intermediary in that process: in partnership with Berlin’s academic libraries, facilitating freedom in teaching and research, Berlin’s public libraries guarantee everyone free access to knowledge, cultural heritage and creative thought. They are uncensored, encouraging intellectual freedom with their mix of traditional media and new information technologies. To ensure they are well-placed to deliver their services in today’s knowledge-based society and, at the same time, make efficient use of their resources they have combined to form an open network.
Part of that network is the citybibliothek.berlin, a cooperative venture between the libraries in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Berlin-Mitte.
You will find an overview of our services and features on the following pages.
| 14 | libraries open to the public |
| 790.000 | items held, including, books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs, videos, CD-ROMs, e-books, conventional games, computer and console games and sheet music. Special collections, for example, artworks available for loan in the Artothek in Bezirkszentralbibliothek Frankfurter Allee or titles rated ‘hot’ by young people available in @hugo, the youth media collection in the Hugo-Heimann-Bibliothek and the city’s largest audio books collection in the Philipp-Schaeffer-Bibliothek supplement the main collection. |
| 69 | Internet points for free access to online information. Wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) in many libraries offers improved working facilities. |
| 26.000 | hours of annual opening makes research, browsing and library trips a pleasant and relaxed experience whether you visit on your own, with a friend, in a group or as a family. |
| 6400 | special events take place in the libraries every year – children’s story reading sessions, circus-inspired activities, talks, readings, exhibitions, to name but a few. See our events leaflet and website for the latest details. In our role as a key player in the education process we focus particularly on activities and events encouraging the development of language and reading skills. |
| 2,24 mio | visitors a year take advantage of our advanced and diverse range of services. That makes libraries the most heavily-used municipal institutions in the educational and cultural field. |
| 173 | qualified staff are at your service – both frontline and behind the scenes – ready to provide professional advice and guidance. Not only do we encourage the continuing professional development and qualification of our staff, we also recognise the importance of developing new talent: fresh trainees studying for a vocational qualification in media and information science join us every year and round off our team. In addition, we welcome students from many different disciplines to join us for an internship. |
Full information about the libaries is available from the German version of our homepage at
Bibliotheken im Überblick
You must register in person if you want to borrow items. For library registration you will need to bring your identity card or passport and your proof of registration with the authorities (Meldebescheinigung). We will issue you with a library card which can be used in all Berlin public libraries. The library card costs 10 euro and is valid for 12 months.
www.voebb.de
- Our electronic library online catalogue allows you at all times to search the holdings of all public libraries in Berlin and to discover where titles are held and whether they are on loan or available for borrowing
www.voebb24.de - In addition, you can access our electronic resources 24 hours a day: for e-books.
The broad spectrum of services offered by citybibliothek.berlin is reflected not simply in the diversity and volume of our collections. In addition, we prioritise the learning of reading and language skills, services and activities for children, development of media skills, encouragement of affirmative and tolerant attitudes in a multicultural context and cooperative ventures with different partners all with the aim of offering you the best possible service.
Highlights of that service include:
