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.
On this page
©ZLB | Foto: Moritz Haase
Simply borrow it 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.
Costs for the annual library card
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 |
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.
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.
Yes, more information in the FAQs