Valid from 3 March 2025

§ 1 Tasks

1. The German National Library – hereinafter the ‟Library” – is the central archiving library and national bibliography centre of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its tasks include the following,

• all media publications issued in Germany since 1913,
• media publications published abroad in German from 1913, translations of German media publications into other languages and foreign-language media publications about Germany,
• it has been tasked with collecting, cataloguing, bibliographically indexing and making inventories of the originals, ensuring their long-term preservation and making them available to the general public. It is also responsible for providing central library and national bibliographic services,
• running the German Exile Archive 1933–1945, the Anne-Frank-Shoah Library and the German Museum of Books and Writing.,
• collaborating with the relevant specialist bodies in Germany and abroad, and contributing to national and international professional organisations.

2. The Library charges fees set forth in the current version of its fee schedule for the use of the Library and for other individual services provided by the Library at the user's request.

§ 2 Use relationship and use entitlement

1. These Conditions of Use based on the Law regarding the German National Library of 22 June 2006 constitute the basis of the public use relationship.

2. Users accept the Conditions of Use when they register. The Conditions of Use can be viewed on the Library's website and are available for download. A printed copy can be provided on request.

3. The Library may be used by natural persons of all nationalities and by organisations and legal entities, regardless of their legal domicile, to pursue their professional, academic and technical interests and for purposes of general and continuing education.

4. The library may be used by persons aged 16 and over. People aged 20 and over are generally required to pay a fee when they are approved as users. The terms in the current version of the fee schedule apply. Users must register online or in person. A personal ID card or valid passport in combination with an official confirmation of residence must be presented when registering to use the library.

Persons aged under 18 require a written declaration of consent from a parent or guardian before they can be authorised to use the library.

5. Approved users receive a user ID. This will be valid for one week or one year from the issue date depending on the user's preference. The user ID can be issued in digital format or as a machine-readable document. The user ID can be renewed for one week or one year against payment of a fee.

Users must notify the library without delay if they change their name or address or lose their user ID. Any disadvantages resulting from a failure to comply with this requirement shall be borne by the user. If the user ID is lost or passed on to a third party, the user will be held liable for all damages incurred by the library as a result of improper use. If the Library is notified of the loss, a replacement card will be issued. The fee is based on the Library's Cost Regulations.

6. The user must show their user ID when collecting requested media works and if being asked to do so when entering user areas or individual rooms in the library.

The user ID is non-transferrable and may not be passed on to any third party. If the user ID is made available to a third party without authorisation, the user may be temporarily excluded from using the library. In these circumstances, the user ID will be withdrawn or blocked.

If media works are urgently required for shared use by other users, a request for shared use may be submitted with the first user's consent.

7. The Library is entitled to collect personal data to the extent that this is necessary for the legitimate performance of its duties. This specifically includes the user’s first and last name, address, and email address. These personal data are collected, processed and used exclusively for the intended purpose in compliance with the provisions set forth in the General Data Protection Regulation and the Federal Data Protection Act.

Information concerning user data will only be given to third parties in exceptional cases as regulated by law.

The Library provides as comprehensive a service as possible within its operational, technical and legal framework. If certain services become temporarily unavailable or cannot be provided in full, this will not constitute grounds for the user to claim compensation.

8. Due to the archival character of the Library and its national bibliographic task, media works may not be taken out of the building and must be used in the library rooms designated for this purpose.

9. The Library may reserve individual user areas or rooms for special functions and types of use for which special conditions of use may apply.

§ 3 Controls

The Library has the right to install monitoring devices and carry out checks.

Library staff and third parties engaged by the library are authorised,

• to have the user show them the content of folders, bags etc. and any materials they have brought with them;
• to check the data on the user ID against the information on an official photo-bearing identification document held by the user;
• to enforce library rules;
• if there is reasonable suspicion that the Conditions of Use have been violated, to take any action necessary to prevent or eliminate disruptions or hazardous situations;
• to give instructions to library users and visitors; such instructions must be followed. Failure to comply may result in the user or visitor being asked to leave the building.

Serious violations of the Conditions of Use may lead to a temporary or – in the case of repeat offences – permanent ban from the premises.
In the case of particularly severe violations, the library has the right to inform other libraries, archives and museums of the ban so that protective measures can be taken. Violations may also result in criminal prosecution.

§ 4 General obligations and liability

1. Before entering the user areas, outdoor clothing, umbrellas, handbags, briefcases, laptop cases, backpacks and similar receptacles must be deposited in the cloakroom or lockers provided so as to prevent loss or damage to library property.

Users may transport their own property and borrowed media works in transparent bags or containers which can be checked visually.
Larger bags and bulky items which do not fit into the lockers cannot be stored.

Hazardous substances and objects (including weapons and knives) may not be brought into the Library.

Unless otherwise agreed, objects stored in lockers or handed over to cloakroom staff for safekeeping must be collected before closing time on the same day.

The Library reserves the right to clear unemptied lockers. Uncollected items and the contents of unemptied lockers will be treated as lost property. Perishable foods will be disposed of immediately.

2. Animals may not be brought into the library unless they are recognised service animals accompanying persons with disabilities. Corresponding proof must be presented to the library on request.

3. The Library accepts no liability for the loss or damage of objects handed over for safekeeping unless the damage was deliberate or caused by gross negligence on the part of library staff. The same applies to objects that are placed in the lockers, on condition that the locker is used properly and the damage is not caused by unauthorised intervention of third parties in the locker system. Liability can only be assumed if the item is picked up again on the same day and any damage reported immediately.

4. All users should behave in such a way that no other person’s legitimate rights are affected, library operation is not hindered and no library materials or fittings are damaged.

Users must refrain from any kind of disruptive behaviour. Basic requirements must also be met in terms of cleanliness and personal hygiene.

5. The reading rooms, which are intended for concentrated work, must be kept as quiet as possible. Group work and communication (including telephone calls) are only permitted in the designated areas.

Disturbances caused by acoustic signals emitted by electronic devices must be avoided. Suitable headphones or earphones must be used when listening to audio or voice recordings.

6. Food and eating utensils may not be taken into the reading rooms or other user areas. Hand creams and other utensils which could potentially damage library property may not be used in the reading rooms.

Specific areas have been designated for the consumption of food and beverages. Borrowed media works and objects provided by the library for the user's convenience may not be taken into these areas.

The Library may allow beverages in sealed bottles to be taken into specific rooms and user areas in which no physical mandatory copies or archival copies are stored.

Smoking (including the consumption of e-cigarettes, vaping etc.) and the consumption of alcohol, cannabis products and narcotics are prohibited in all areas of the library.

7. The holdings of the Library are archival documents which are to be permanently preserved. Users should treat the publications with great care and protect them from damage.

Users are obliged to check the state of the media publications upon receiving them and to report any damage immediately.

It is prohibited to make any comments, underline passages or insert self-adhesive bookmarks in the Library’s holdings, or to remove pages, tables, maps etc. from such holdings, or to crease or fold pages, or to make tracings or other alterations in them.

Archival materials should be left in the order in which they are provided.

The loss of media works or objects lent to the user must be reported immediately.

The user must pay all costs arising from the loss or damage of any media works or borrowed objects they were using, even if they were not at fault.

8. It is forbidden to repair damage oneself, or to have such damage repaired.

Borrowed media works or objects made available for use in the library may not be handed over to any third parties.

Modifications to technical devices and their connections, in particular to IT equipment installed in the user areas, are prohibited or may only be made using the objects provided by the Library for this purpose. Personal data carriers may not be used with DNB devices.

§ 5 Media orders and issue

1. Unless they can be accessed directly, either electronically or in the open access collections, all media works required by the user must be ordered using the appropriate function in the library's online catalogue.

The Library reserves the right to determine how and in what form the requested works are provided.

2. Once they have been ordered, media works will be made available for collection from the issues desks or in the media boxes intended for this purpose. Media works must be returned or handed over to the place of issue after every use.

The provision will be displayed in the user account of the person who placed the order.

The media lending period is 14 calendar days and may be extended twice for 14 days at a time provided the media work has not been reserved. In individual cases, special library and archival materials can be used for a longer period following prior approval. Alternative usage time limits can be set for certain types of media.

Specific media publications or materials (such as electronic publications, archival documents, sheet music) are provided in separate reading rooms or at specially designated workplaces in compliance with the relevant copyright provisions.

Non-physical media publications are provided in accordance with applicable copyright regulations.

Separate appointments may be necessary for the provision of non-physical media publications on data carriers as well as archival material.

5. Works required for official purposes by the Library can be withdrawn temporarily from use.

6. Media publications which are not suitable for unrestricted use may be subject to specific restrictions and requirements. This applies in particular to media works,

• which have been found by a court or bindingly acknowledged by the copyright holder to contain material which violates copyright, trademark, criminal or data protection legislation, or which is the subject of a patent application procedure or similar procedure, or whose confiscation has been ordered by a court;
• whose author was a minor at the time of publication and if credible evidence can be furnished that the public availability of the media work could affect the author's subsequent social and professional development;
• which are considered to be publications by an association prohibited under the German Associations Act or by a party deemed unconstitutional, or
• which have been classified as confidential by a government agency.

7. The issue and use of media works may be restricted for users aged under 18 for reasons concerning the protection of minors.

8. The reference collections in the reading rooms are available for general use and need not be ordered in advance.

9. Subject to availability, the library provides users with mobile devices (e.g. tablets) for borrowing on its premises, which makes it possible to use copyright-protected online publications in the reading rooms regardless of location.

Other conditions of use can be viewed on the library's website.

§ 6 Use of special Library materials; archival materials

1. Permission to use archival materials in the German Exile Archive 1933–1945 and the German Museum of Books and Writing must be requested in writing.

Only the archival materials which are needed to work on the specified topic are made available for use. If archival documents for a different or modified topic are required, a new application should be made.

2. Permission for use shall be refused if
a) copyright and personal rights are violated
b) contractual arrangements to the contrary exist, or
c) the preservation and physical status of the archive materials require this.

3. Approval for use of archival materials does not include authorisation to publish texts in whole or in part. Publication of these requires the special permission of the Library. Any such publications must declare that the relevant archive materials originate from the Library.

If permission to publish a text is granted, the Library does not waive its own right to publish it or to permit other persons or institutions to do so. It assumes no responsibility for copyright infringement or copyright consent stipulations, even where personal rights are concerned.

§ 7 Lending to other libraries

1. The Library lends its holdings to external libraries in accordance with the provisions of the “Regulation on Interlibrary Loans in the Federal Republic of Germany – Interlibrary Loan Regulations (LVO)”. Works from the Library’s holdings may only be used on the premises of the borrowing libraries.

2. Archival documents, sound recordings, data carriers and sheet music are excluded from the lending system.

3. The Leipzig site of the German National Library is the first point of contact regarding interlibrary loans to other German libraries.

§ 8 Borrowing from other libraries

1. The Leipzig site may request, in individual cases and in accordance with the interlibrary loan regulations, media works required for academic, professional, technical, or official purposes that fall under the statutory collection mandate of the Library and which are not available from the holdings of the regional legal deposit libraries.

2. Charges are levied for the services performed on behalf of the user and are based on the latest version of the Library’s Cost Regulations.

§ 9 Production of copies

1. The Library is entitled to make copies, provided that such duplication is consistent with intellectual property, personal or other rights. Each copying request is considered by the Library, also taking collection care aspects into account. The Library reserves the right to determine the type of duplication as well as to impose restrictions or to deny approval.

2. Users have access to scanning, printing and copying devices which can be used in compliance with statutory provisions and are subject to the restrictions imposed by the library.

Users may only photograph, film or scan the Library’s media publications, or extracts thereof, using their own device assuming very careful treatment of the works, without any additional light source or flash light, and without hindering library operations. The Library reserves the right to prohibit use of such equipment in individual cases. Users are responsible for observing and complying with copyright regulations.

Independent copying, photographing and scanning of archive material and sheet music is not, however, permitted. The creation of copies, scans and photographs may be permitted to a limited extent and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the copyright and personal rights regulations.

The copying, scanning and photographing of archival documents and sheet music will be carried out, upon request, by the Library or by third parties appointed by it.

§ 10 Use of the Internet

1. The library provides free internet access in its user areas via Wi-Fi or at specially designated terminals.

Internet access is only available to persons authorised to use the library as set forth in section 2 of these Conditions of Use.

2. Personal access data, particularly user IDs and passwords, must be protected carefully and kept safe from improper use by other persons.

3. The Internet access provided by the Library is unencrypted. The Library accepts no liability for any data transferred via its facilities. The user ID, IP address and duration of use are logged whenever the Internet service is used to prevent abuse of the Library’s DFN access. The Library uses cookies to support user navigation during each session. No personal data is collected for this.

4. Internet access is mainly provided to facilitate searches for information and for scientific, cultural, professional, technical, official or educational purposes.

The users are themselves responsible for complying with applicable statutory provisions, in particular those set forth in copyright, criminal and data protection legislation.

Websites with criminal, pornographic or racist content or content that glorifies violence may not be accessed.

In the case of users aged under 18, the library may use filter software to restrict or completely block internet access on its own devices for purposes relating to the protection of minors.

5. The Library is not responsible for any consequences arising from users’ activities on the Internet, such as financial obligations arising from orders or the use of paid services. In addition, it offers no assurance of continuous Internet access at all times.

No changes may be made to system and network configurations.

Software downloads are prohibited.

6. Users undertake,

• to assume the costs for remedying any damage caused by improper use of the Library equipment and media,
• to assume any costs which are incurred as a result of passing their access authorisation to third parties.

In justified individual cases the Library may use the access log generated as part of the network security measures as evidence.

§ 11 Guided tours

1. Guided tours of the library or its exhibitions must be booked in advanced and approved by the library.

Guests taking part in guided tours of the library's user areas must avoid disturbing users working in the reading rooms as far as possible. Workrooms and storage rooms may only be entered with special permission.

2. Photography and filming on the premises require the Library’s prior approval. Personality rights and rights to one's own image must be upheld.

§ 12 Exceptions to the scope of application

1. The following are not covered by these Conditions of Use:

• the borrowing of library holdings for exhibitions
• the provision of items for reprinting
• filming.

In these and other comparable cases that do not fall within the scope of these Conditions of Use, a separate agreement is required at the discretion of the Director-General. He may delegate this authority to library staff either permanently or in individual cases.

2. The latest version of the Cost Regulations apply for the production or reproduction of photographic images, and other reproductions for commercial purposes, conducted by or on behalf of users.

§ 13 Commencement

These Conditions of Use shall come into force on the date upon which they are signed.

Conditions of Use as PDF

Conditions of Use German National Library (Download PDF)