For ZLB library card holders, this means: Access to all Berlin public library association Verbund der Öffentlichen Bibliotheken Berlins (VÖBB) library media.

Of course, you are also welcome to visit the ZLB if you do not have a library card to use many of the services on offer on the premises, or to attend events. However, if you want to take media items home with you and/or use our full range of services, you need a library card.

You can apply for a library card in person here at the library – please bring your ID card or passport as well as a registered address confirmation with you, and also 10 euros.

Or would you prefer to create your library card online yourself straight away?
Then you can register with us here.

Learning and advice offers for everyone

The ZLB's individual offers and support are aimed at all age groups. Whether you need help with downloading an e-book or with searching for a particular item – we are always happy to advise and offer practical help. At the American Memorial Library (AGB), you can even play the piano, or go on a guided tour of the library with a group of like-minded people.

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©ZLB | Foto: Moritz Haase

Versatile library offers

Discover the library anew. Borrow an oil painting, watch films and documentaries, listen to your favourite music or play the piano with us. Learn all about Berlin in the Berlin Collections and the Digital State Library.

To our highlights
©ZLB

Access to the Digital State Library

Numerous digital publications and sources on Berlin's regional studies and urban development as well as on Berlin's regional and cultural history are available to you at the Digital State Library Berlin. Discover historical holdings of the Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin (ZLB) and exclusively digitally published contemporary publications.

To the Digital State Library

Your personalised library card is valid for one year and allows you to benefit from our full range of services, such as borrowing 60 media per city district at one and the same time, requesting interlibrary loans and also the use of our digital offers.

As part of the annual library card, we offer discounts for some groups of people (students, children, etc.).

In order to receive a reduced price for the library card, the relevant proof must be presented at the time of registration. Unfortunately, it is not possible to submit and reimburse the fees at a later date.

Person	Costs
Persons over 18 years	10,00 Euro
Trainees, students, those doing basic military or alternative service, participants in a voluntary social or ecological year, participants in the European Voluntary Service Youth leaders, members of a public library support association or the Stiftung ZLB	5,00 Euro
Recipients of state transfer benefits (unemployment benefit I and II, social assistance, basic income support) with the corresponding legitimation "Berlin-Ticket S" or "proof of entitlement" or with a benefit notice	free of charge
Children, students with ID I	free of charge

With a reader card, you can order media from the ZLB areas that are not open to the public (repository and external repository) which will then be made available in the public areas for you to use. With a reader card, you can also use our computer workstations.

There is no fee to pay for a reader card.

Schools, out of school care facilities, kindergartens, day nurseries or daycare centres can apply for an institution library card for individual staff members or departments. This card can be used to borrow media from all public libraries in Berlin, and the holder(s) can use of all of our services.

There is no fee for an institution library card for schools, out of school care facilities, kindergartens, day nurseries and similar facilities

You can download the information leaflet and application form for schools, out of school care facilities etc. here.

Hinweisblatt (PDF) Anmeldeformular (PDF)

Registered charities, foundations or companies can also apply for a library card for individual staff members of departments.

The fee for an institution library card for legal persons is 60 euros.

Government agencies, public bodies and civil service institutions can apply for this library card for individual staff members or departments. Holders of this card can not only borrow books and other media but also make purchase requests, order article copies and submit research requests.

There is no fee to pay for a civil service library card.

You can download the information leaflet here.

More information about our services for government agencies, public bodies and civil service institutions

Refugees with a residence permit ("Aufenthaltsgestattung") or an accommodation certificate ("Unterbringungsbescheinigung") issued by the registration centre ("Erstaufnahmestelle") can apply for a refugee library card. This library card is valid for three months and accepted at the ZLB and all of Berlin's public libraries. If necessary, the library card can be renewed for another three months.

There is no fee for a refugee library card.

What is needed?

To apply for a library card, the following documents must be presented:

Residence permit ("Aufenthaltsgestattung") or an accommodation certificate ("Unterbringungsbescheinigung") issued by the registration centre ("Erstaufnahmestelle")
Refugees under the age of eighteen must also present an informal written confirmation of consent signed by a parent, their legal guardian or someone who is officially responsible for them

Special lending terms and conditions

No fines for overdue items
A maximum of ten media items can be borrowed per district
Holders may borrow e-books and other e-media via the VÖBB digital offers
Holders are not exempt from carriage and reservation fees
Holders cannot submit interlibrary loan requests

Woman with large library card under arm walks large stride through library foyer — ©ZLB | Foto: Moritz Haase

You don't have a library card yet?

Sign up now!

Yes, via Wi-Fi hotspots (wireless local area network hotspots). Access is free of charge and unlimited.

Yes, more information in the FAQs

Library card

On this page

Simply borrow it One library card for all of Berlin

What benefits do I get with the library card?

Learning and advice offers for everyone

Versatile library offers

Access to the Digital State Library

Annual library card

Enjoy the full range of our services for 365 days

Costs for the annual library card

Wide range of options on the premises

More for schools, daycare centres or out of school care facilities

Institution library card for legal persons

Useful resource for work

Knowledge knows no borders

What is needed?

Special lending terms and conditions

You don't have a library card yet?

Frequently asked!

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Simply borrow it One library card for all of Berlin

What benefits do I get with the library card?

Learning and advice offers for everyone

Versatile library offers

Access to the Digital State Library

Annual library card

Enjoy the full range of our services for 365 days

Costs for the annual library card

You don't have a library card yet?

Frequently asked!

Is there Wi-Fi?

Are there copying and printing facilities?