Library card
Whether books, films or works of art – with our library card, you can access various collections throughout Berlin. Apply now! Also for children.
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©ZLB | Foto: Moritz Haase
One library card for all of Berlin
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.
What benefits do I get with the library card?
Annual library card
Enjoy the full range of our services for 365 days
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.
[Translate to English:] Kosten für den Jahresausweis
[Translate to English:]
Im Rahmen des Jahresausweises bieten wir Ermäßigungen für einige Personengruppen (Studierende, Kinder etc.) an.
Um einen ermäßigten Ausweis zu erhalten, muss der entsprechende Nachweis bei der Anmeldung vorliegen. Ein späteres Nachreichen und Erstatten der Entgelte ist leider nicht möglich.
| Personen über 18 Jahre | 10,00 Euro |
| Auszubildende, Studierende, Grundwehr- und Ersatzdienstleistende, Teilnehmer*innen an einem freiwilligen sozialen oder ökologischen Jahr, Teilnehmer*innen am europäischen Freiwilligendienst Jugendleiter*innen, Mitglieder eines Fördervereins einer Öffentlichen Bibliothek oder der Stiftung ZLB | 5,00 Euro |
| Empfänger*innen von staatlichen Transferleistungen (Arbeitslosengeld I und II, Sozialhilfe, Grundsicherung) mit entsprechender Legitimation „Berlin-Ticket S“ bzw. „Berechtigungsnachweis“ oder mit Leistungsbescheid | entgeltfrei |
| Kinder, Schüler*innen mit Ausweis I | entgeltfrei |
Wide range of options on the premises
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.
More for schools, daycare centres or out of school care facilities
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.
Institution library card for legal persons
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.
Für juristische Personen und Behörden in Sinne des § 2 des Allgemeinen Zuständigkeitsgesetztes (AZG) ist der Ausweis entgeltfrei.
You can download the information leaflet and application form for other institutions here.
Useful resource for work
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
Knowledge knows no borders
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.
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
Frequently asked!
Yes, via Wi-Fi hotspots (wireless local area network hotspots). Access is free of charge and unlimited.
Only certain study spaces can be booked; you can book these here reservierung.zlb.de
Unfortunately, we cannot offer copying and printing facilities at the moment. Please ask at the information desks for tips on copying in the surrounding area.
The new machines have arrived. Now the technical set-up is taking place. Unfortunately, this will take some time. We will of course make every effort to make the machines available as soon as possible.
Please excuse the waiting time.
Your ZLB