Libraries

The 93 libraries of the Goethe-Institut are public places. They offer an inspiring atmosphere for exchange and encounter. Around 800,000 analogue and digital media convey an up-to-date image of Germany and promote active engagement with language, culture and society.

Goethe-Institut Athens - Library Poto: Thalia Galanopoulou

Inform. Research. Discover.

Inform. Research. Discover.

The Onleihe is the free digital library (eLibrary) of the Goethe-Institut. About 20,000 German language eBooks, audio books, movies, materials for German language learners, magazines and newspapers are available for downloading from the Onleihe. 

With our Open Access search you can find freely accessible scientific online publications in various languages. You have access to about 3 million licence-free publications from the General Index of All German Academic Libraries.

Our literature blog “Cherrypicker” presents selected novels and non-fiction, graphic novels and stories, audio books and literature for children and teenagers. Discover new recommendations, remarkable texts, images and opinions.

Voices about our libraries worldwide

Our libraries are places of encounter, exchange and learning. Here, users tell us what the libraries of the Goethe-Institut mean to them.

I associate the Goethe-Institut Finland with many valuable encounters as part of the DRIN project on diversity in the Northern European children's literature (sector). I remember a warm welcome and a collaboration that was characterised by dialogue and reflection. With the DRIN project, the Goethe-Institut Finland brought together important expertise on diversity and representation in Northern European children's literature and brought marginalised perspectives into focus. In doing so, it has illustrated how appreciative cooperation in this area can be organised. I wish the Goethe-Institut Finland continued courage and patience in initiating projects that centre postcolonial perspectives and provide important impulses in Europe and worldwide. 

As part of the activities on the margins of the Women's Book Salon in Dakar, the Goethe-Institut Senegal was the first to agree to support me in organising a workshop on literary criticism. This workshop provided nine women with knowledge and techniques for writing literary criticism. I would like to thank the Goethe-Institut Senegal for their trust.

 

When I discovered the Goethe-Institut library, the world opened up to me. I have to admit that over time, since the advent of the digital era, I have been a guest in the "German spot" in Lima less and less often. But one day, as I was passing by in the car with my young daughter, I stopped. My daughter noticed the beautiful and colourful graffiti on the façade of the house. 
We went inside. New faces everywhere, always smiling in a friendly way - I dared to enter the library. It had changed quite a bit. My 7-year-old daughter was extremely surprised: a giant screen on one side, games consoles on the other, a large Sonic Chair in the centre of the room, iPad stations and then right at the back: the bookshelves. Even with fairytale books! She was immediately immersed in this world - there's no doubt that German culture has touched us.

 

The old adage: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together" was the epitome of our work, during which the first "Booksprint Namibia" was created. In a 12-hour marathon, we - four teams of three: an author, an illustrator and a designer - worked on the design of four lively children's books. These books contributed to Bookdash's goal that every child should own one hundred books by the age of five. Ultimately, the Booksprint initiative was a huge contribution to my understanding and application of teamwork, especially in a literary, creative field.  We worked tirelessly towards the realisation of the project and I am honoured that my work in collaboration with so many outstanding creatives is part of this prestigious historical moment in literature, especially documented children's literature in Namibia. I hope to see this process revitalised in the Namibian arts landscape.

 

The library of the Goethe-Institut Paris has always been a place of expert advice and fruitful exchange for me.

Thanks to my contact with the library staff, I have been able to create my own small class library and enrich my lesson preparations with "icebreakers". My pupils love the treasure hunt!

Unfortunately, there is no German library near my new job - I will miss you, because human intelligence remains irreplaceable...
 

Insights into the Library Work

About our work

In many different projects, we work together with partners from civil society, especially from the library, media and information sector. The topics range from artificial intelligence to reading promotion, from environmental protection to cultural heritage.

The libraries are also open spaces for experimentation. They connect Germany and the world through inspiration and innovation.

Cooperation partners

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