Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek
open until closed until
Berliner Stadtbibliothek
open until closed until

Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek
Blücherplatz 1, 10961 Berlin

open until closed until
  • Mon – Fri 10am – 9pm
  • Sat 10am – 7pm
  • Sun 11am – 5pm
Mon – Fri
10am – 9pm
Sat
10am – 7pm
Sun
11am – 5pm

Children's and Youth Library

  • Mon – Fri 1pm – 7pm
  • Sat 10am – 7pm
  • Sun 11am – 5pm
Mon – Fri
1pm – 7pm
Sat
10am – 7pm
Sun
11am – 5pm

Berliner Stadtbibliothek
Breite Straße 30-36, 10178 Berlin

open until closed until
  • Mon – Fri 10am – 9pm
  • Sat 10am – 7pm
Mon – Fri
10am – 9pm
Sat
10am – 7pm

Berlin Collections

  • Mon – Sat 10am – 7pm
Mon – Fri
10am – 7pm
Sat
10am – 7pm

The ZLB remains closed on public holidays. There is no on-site library consultation on Sundays.

Branches

Berlin's open recording studio Open media workshop

Do it yourself instead of just watching. In the open media workshop of the Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin (ZLB) you can produce and edit media yourself.

On this page

Man sits at desk with headphones and speaks into microphone in front of small camera

 ©Adobe Stock | Foto: Fabio Principe

If you want to publish a podcast, edit photos, record songs or make a movie, the open media workshop is the right place for you. A wide variety of media projects can be professionally realized here in a pleasant atmosphere. With high-quality equipment and, of course, with our help if required.

What is possible in the open media workshop

Photographer takes photo of smiling young woman in front of grey canvas

 ©Adobe Stock | Foto:  Gorodenkoff

Video production

If you want to make your own movie or start a vlogging series, you can record your own professional videos here. Whether short films, web videos for tutorials, clips for Instagram or YouTube, Lets Plays or interviews - everything is possible.

Two armchairs at a table with two microphones, laptop and headphones

 ©Adobe Stock | Foto: Seventyfour

Audio production

The open media workshop is also ideal for creating your own podcast productions, features or interviews. If you want to record music in solo projects or small ensembles and are looking for a space to do so, this is the place to be.

Scissors, filmstrip, camera, battery, lens, memory card, laptop and mouse on a surface

 ©Adobe Stock | Foto: Bacho Foto

Postproduction

There is a separate area with a powerful Media Workstation for the final cut after production. This also makes post-production of images and sound efficent and a lot of fun.

Terms of use

Film camera aimed at woman with hoover, someone standing behind the camera

 ©Adobe Stock | Foto: Anna

In general, the general terms of use of the library and the house rules also apply to the use of the media workshop.

Otherwise, the media workshop is open to all Berliners aged 16 and over who have a valid library card.

Before using the Media Workshop for the first time, you must attend the "Media Workshop introductory course" [Link - Link leads to further information on the Media Workshop introductory course]. Afterwards you can reserve a time slot by sending an email to info@zlb.de, sign the terms of use and a handover protocol on site and get started with your project.

Frequently asked questions about the open media workshop

To use the media workshop, you need a VÖBB library card and must be at least 16 years of age.  You can get your library card at any public library in Berlin. Before using the open media workshop, you will need to sign a short written agreement with us.

You can find more information about the card at www.voebb.de 

In the media workshop, you can take and edit photos, videos and audio files independently.

The media workshop can be booked by sending an email to info@zlb.de.

Monday - Friday 10.30 a.m. - 2.30 p.m. and 3.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.

If you would like to use the open media workshop independently, you should already have previous knowledge in the production of audiovisual media. Please be sure to bring your own storage medium. Ideally an SD card with sufficient storage capacity.

Please bring your own memory card / SD card or a USB stick with sufficient storage space.

You need a short introduction from us. You can find dates here (link). You cannot use the media workshop without an introductory course.

Manuals and operating instructions are available in the media workshop. We do not provide help with operating the devices and programs there.

We occasionally offer workshops for beginners and in-depth knowledge of operation of the open media workshops equipment. You can find them here on the website below.

Please treat the technology and furniture in the open media workshop with care. After use, we will check the equipment with you to ensure that it is complete and undamaged. Damage of any kind must be reported to the library staff immediately. The undersigned person or their legal guardian is liable for damage to equipment and furniture caused by gross negligence.

No. The devices are only available for on-site use and cannot be used outside the room itself.

All dates can be found here on the website below.

Audio production equipment list

  • Two small diaphragm microphones: „Rode NT-5 Stereo Set“
  • Large diaphragm microphone: „Rode NT-1A“
  • Absorber/diffuser: „t.bone Micscreen XL“
  • Audio-Recorder: „Zoom H-6 Audio-Recorder“
  • Mixing console: „Behringer Xenyx QX1202 USB“
  • USB-Audiointerface: „Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen“ + „Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen“
  • MIDI-Masterkeyboard: „M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49“
  • Headphone preamplifier (6 stereo channels): „Behringer HA6000“
  • Headphones: „Audio-technica ATH-M40 X“
  • Microphone stand with boom
  • Various cables
  • Various thread adapters

Please bring a storage medium (SD card/USB stick) with you to save your recordings!

Video production equipment list

  • Professional photo and video camera: „Panasonic Lumix S5“
  • Lens for Panasonic S5: Panasonic Lumix S 24-105 F4 MACRO O.I.S.
  • System camera: „Panasonic Lumix G110“
  • Lens for LumixG110: „Panaosnic G 12-32mm F3,5-5,6
  • Wireless audio path: „Rode Wireless GO II“ + 2 “Rode GO Lavaliermicrophone“
  • Microphone adapter for Panasonic cameras: „DMW-XLR1E“
  • Live-Stream-Stick: „Elgato Cam Link 4k HDMI Camera Connector“
  • Studio lighting: 4 *  „Walimex pro LED Versalight 500 Bi Color“ inluding tripod
  • Sound insulation
  • Greenscreen
  • Various cables

Please bring a storage medium (SD card/USB stick) with you to save your recordings!