Leipzig branch
The German National Library in Leipzig offers you a total of eight reading rooms, each with a different atmosphere and dedicated to a very wide range of different subjects. The German Museum of Books and Writing and the German Music Archive also await you here. Everything you need to know about using them during your visit can be found on this page.
General information about registration, fees, user services and the ordering and accessing of media can be found here.
Are you looking for a specific title or edition? Then you can search directly in our catalogue:
Catalogue of the German National Library
Welcome to the German National Library!
If you would like to spend your time in the Leipzig area studying, working, reading or listening to recordings at the library, you will find the following information useful.
- The German National Library mainly collects and preserves literature in the German language. For the most part, the only works available in other languages are translations from German or works that deal with Germany or prominent figures from the German-speaking countries.
- The German National Library is an archival library. You can only use the media in the library's reading rooms. They cannot be taken out of the library.
- We will gladly issue you a library card. This will not cost you anything. You can renew the library card if necessary. In order to register, you will need to show us a valid passport and written confirmation of where you are staying. Registration is open to users aged 16 and over. If you are a minor, you will need a completed declaration of consent (only available in German) and the personal ID of a parent or guardian, either the original or a copy (front and back).
- Media have to be ordered through our catalogue.
The media you order will be available the next working day. They will be kept for you for 14 days and can be used in the reading rooms for up to six weeks. - Wi-fi is available everywhere in the building. You can use the internet in the reading rooms.
Opening hours
Please note our changed hours of service from 1 November 2024.
Reading rooms
Monday to Friday 9:00–22:00
Saturday 10:00–18:00
Please note the latest news on the construction work
Information
Monday to Friday 9:00–16:00
Registration, media issue
Monday to Friday 9:00–20:00
Saturday 10:00–18:00
Please note the latest news on the construction work
German Music Archive
Music reading room
Monday to Saturday 10:00–18:00
German Museum of Books and Writing
Reading room
Monday to Saturday 10:00–18:00
German Music Archive
Exhibition
Monday to Friday 9:00–22:00
Saturday 10:00–18:00
German Museum of Books and Writing
Exhibitions
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00
Thursday 10:00–20:00
National Holidays 10:00–18:00
Closing times in Leipzig
The German National Library in Leipzig is closed on the following days: Sundays, statutory national holidays, the Saturday before Easter, Reformation Day, Day of Repentance (“Buß- und Bettag”), and from 24 December to 1 January.
Please note that the exhibitions at the German Museum of Books and Writing have different opening hours.
Contact
Information
Phone +49 341 2271-453
Fax +49 341 2271-470
Issues desk
Phone +49 341 2271-277
Fax +49 341 2271-470
Copying and scanning service
Phone +49 341 2271-453
Fax +49 341 2271-470
German Museum of Books and Writing
Reading room
Phone +49 341 2271-318
Fax +49 341 2271-240
German Music Archive
Phone +49 341 2271-150
Fax +49 341 2271-140
Anne Frank Shoah Library/Collection of Exile Literature 1933–1945
Phone +49 341 2271 410/328
Fax +49 341 2271-444
Map Collection
Tel. +49 341 2271-323
Fax +49 341 2271-240
All subjects
How to find us
German National Library
Deutscher Platz 1
04103 Leipzig
Getting here
We advise you to use public transport.
1 / By public transport
By rail
From the main railway station, take S-Bahn S1 in the direction of Riesa, S2 in the direction of Markkleeberg-Gaschwitz, S3 in the direction of Stötteritz or S5/S5X in the direction of Zwickau. Journey time approx. 7 minutes, get off at “Leipzig MDR”. Exit onto Semmelweisstraße, then turn right and continue for 400 m to the intersection at Straße des 18. Oktober.
Alternatively, take tram line 16 from platform 2 in front of the main railway station (in the direction of Lößnig) and get off at “Deutsche Nationalbibliothek”. Journey time approx. 11 minutes.
By air
From Leipzig/Halle airport, take S-Bahn S5/S5X in the direction of Zwickau. Journey time approx. 30 minutes, get off at “Leipzig MDR”. Exit onto Semmelweisstraße, then turn right and continue for 400 m to the intersection at Straße des 18. Oktober.
2 / By bike
The German National Library in Leipzig can easily be reached by bike. You can get to the DNB by taking the cycle paths on Straße des 18. Oktobers, Semmelweißstraße, and Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße. A cycle lane also runs past the DNB's main entrance. Numerous bicycle parking spaces are available along this lane and at the main entrance to the German Museum of Books and Writing. The bicycle racks in front of the museum are covered.
Besides taking the cycle lane, you can reach the bicycle parking spaces via a passageway from the junction of Semmelweißstraße/Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße through the DNB's tower courtyard.
3 / By car
Approaching from the north
Take the A9 to the Schkeuditzer Kreuz intersection, continue on the A14 towards Dresden and take the Leipzig-Mitte (city centre) exit; continue on the B2 towards Leipzig city centre as far as the intersection at Prager Straße/Semmelweisstraße (follow the signs for “Deutsche Nationalbibliothek”).
Approaching from the south and east
Take the A9 or A14, change to the A38 and continue to the Leipzig-Süd exit; change to the B2 and continue to the Südvorstadt exit; turn right into Kurt-Eisner-Straße and continue to the German National Library.
4 / Accessibility
The German National Library in Leipzig has disabled parking spaces right in front of the building. The entrance for disabled visitors is signposted. The reading rooms and cafeteria are accessible by lift.
Construction work
From October 2023 expected until the end of February 2025 construction work will take place in the Leipzig building. This will impact user services, e.g. by making it necessary to close some of the reading rooms.
Find out more about the latest developments
Access for persons with disabilities
The German National Library in Leipzig has designated parking spaces for disabled persons right in front of the building. The entrance for disabled visitors is signposted. The reading rooms and cafeteria are accessible by elevator.
A WC for disabled persons is located on the 1st floor near the cloakroom, and another one is situated on the 2nd floor in the German Music Archive's exhibition area.
If you are dependent on assistance, a free library card will be issued for your companion at the registration desk. Guide dogs are permitted.
Workstations for persons with disabilities
Workstations for wheelchair users are available in all reading rooms.
Workstations for the blind and partially sighted
PC workstations for the blind and partially sighted are located near the media issue. Here you can search the catalogue and make use of the collections and internet. These PC workstations are equipped with the following:
- DIN A3 scanner with OCR software
- Braille keyboard
- Jaws for Windows with text-to-speech output
- ZoomText magnifying software
- “VIG Keys” high-visibility keyboard
- Optelec ClearView magnifier
Please make an appointment for an introductory session.
Phone +49 341 2271-453
info-l@dnb.de
You should start working at these workstations during the information desk’s hours of service.
Reading rooms and their collections
In Leipzig there are 8 subject-specific reading rooms
Copying and photography
In the user areas, you can make paper copies at various machines against payment of a fee or store scans of printed media on USB sticks. Microfiches can be re-enlarged at the reader scanners.
The following fees are charged per page:
- DIN A4 black/white 0.10 Euro
- DIN A3 black/white 0.20 Euro
- DIN A4 colour 0.50 Euro
- DIN A3 colour 1.00 Euro
- Digital copy 0.05 Euro
Please refer to our fee schedule for other fees. For all fees incurrend, please top up your user card at the pay station.
Depending on the applicable copyright regulations, we will also prepare paper copies or digital copies on data carriers for you to collect. Please contact the information desk if you wish to make use of this service: info-l@dnb.de
Please use our fee-based Reproduction Service if you wish to have paper or digital copies sent to you.
You are permitted to take photographs of media works (except sheet music). Please handle media with care. When taking photographs in the reading room, please refrain from using flash or tripods and avoid disturbing others.
You as the user are responsible for observing and complying with copyright regulations.
The storage of excerpts from electronic publications is not permitted.
Refreshments
“Saxonia-Catering” in the German National Library offers a varied selection of drinks and meals including vegetarian dishes. The restaurant is open from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 14:30. Food and drink may only be consumed at your seat.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 08:00–14:30
Contact
Phone +49 341 2271-329/429
Fax +49 341 2271-529
dnb@saxonia-catering.de
Monatlicher Speiseplan (only available in german)
Further information
Last changes:
31.10.2024
