Membership

What is an eLibrary?

The eLibrary is the virtual library of the Goethe-Institut New York for the USA. This service allows you to borrow digital media, such as ebooks, audio and video files, and electronic newspapers and magazines, for a predetermined period of time, by downloading them from our eLibrary.

Returning media isn't necessary - at the end of the loan period, media automatically becomes unavailable.

With our eLibrary, borrowing media is at your fingertips 24/7.

Who can use the eLibrary?

Anyone who has a primary residence in the USA and who has registered with the Goethe-Institut New York for access to the eLibrary may use the services of our eLibrary.

Disclaimer: the use of eLibrary media on Apple and Linux powered devices is very limited (at the moment, only eBooks in the ePub format). The use of eLibrary media is not possible on Kindles. Why? Because Apple and Kindles have their own digital rights management (DRM), which are not compatible with the eLibrary's DRM. We recommend you confirm that your PC or Mac operating system is compatible prior to signing up:
Minimum System Requirements for eLibrary Use

How do I register to use the eLibrary?

The following steps are necessary to register for the eLibrary:

1. Complete the Application form and click on "Send application" at the bottom of the page.
2. Access to the eLibrary requires a yearly fee of $10, which you may pay online via PayPal (the link to PayPal is on the application form).
3. Once we've received your application and verified that payment has been received, a staff member will contact you via email – during the work week generally within 24 hours – with a registration code.
4. Visit the myGoethe.de personalized web platform and create a new user account (registration and use are free of charge). Click on the navigation point "my eLibrary" and enter your registration code.
   Step-by-step instructions on how to register (PDF, 378 KB)
   

From the moment you first enter the registration code, you will have access to the eLibrary service for one year. After one year, this access automatically expires. If you wish to continue using the eLibrary service, you will need to fill out another registration form. You will then obtain a new registration code to renew your access to the eLibrary.

If you're interested, please apply for the eLibrary:
Application form

Contact

Questions on this service can be addressed to:
circulation@newyork.goethe.org


We thank the "Friends of Goethe" of the Goethe-Institut New York for their generous financial support of the introduction of the eLibrary in the USA.