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Libraries

The 87 libraries of the Goethe-Institut are public places. They offer an inspiring atmosphere for exchange and encounter. Around 660,000 analogue and digital media convey an up-to-date image of Germany and promote active engagement with language, culture and society.

Goethe-Institut Belgrad - Library Photo: Danilo Andjus

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.

Panel talk ‘Democracy 2.0: Libraries and participation’. As part of the Day of Libraries 2024

Insights into the Library Work

  • Northwestern Europa

    Vorzeichen. Whom, What, and How We Read.

    Through online readings and talks at the intersection of scholarship with the literary scene, as well as book reviews on Instagram, the series intends to open up spaces for texts and readers, different ways of reading and new perspectives on literature. 

    Illustration, on the left-hand side you can see an open book against a beige background, illuminated from above by three spotlights. On the right-hand side, the same motif is smaller and can be seen five times on a bright orange background. © Goethe-Institut/ El Boum © Goethe-Institut/ El Boum

  • Czech Republic

    Playing KAFKA

    Together with the independent game studio Charles Games, the Goethe-Institut has developed a video game that brings Kafka's literary world to life in virtual space. Available in Czech, German, English. And completely free!

    Playing KAFKA Grafic: Charles Games Grafic: Charles Games

  • Southeastern Europe

    Fakeless — Building Immunity, Trusting Facts

    How do I recognize misinformation and disinformation? How do I meet a person who seems to be attached to conspiracy narratives and how can I discuss with him? Fakeless helps older and younger generations to find answers and move more confidently in the digital information and media world.

  • Canada

    Booktubing

    Vlogger Marie-Pierre from the library of the Goethe-Institut Montreal shares her favorites of German-language authors in a French- and English-language Booktubing series: contemporary literature, comics, and children's books.

    Booktubing with Marie-Pierre © Laura Laakso © Laura Laakso

  • India, Ireland, Czech Republic

    The Infinite Library

    An installation that uses VR and other media to reimagine the future of libraries as interactive spaces that engage visitors through multisensory forms of storytelling.

    Key Visual "The Infinite Library" © Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan © Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan

  • GamesCom 2024

    Just a Game?

    "The biggest community in the world" will gather this year between August 21 and 25 for GamesCom 2024 in Cologne. At least, that's the official motto of what is claimed to be the "world's biggest games event." An overview.

    A scene at Gamescom 2023: Two female gamers can be seen in the foreground, their backs turned to the camera, looking at the screen, two oval consoles standing next to them on the table, which, like the keyboards, light up blue. © Foto: Koelnmesse / gamescom © Foto: Koelnmesse / gamescom

Voices about our libraries worldwide

Our libraries are places of encounter, exchange and learning. Here, visitors tell us what the libraries of the Goethe-Institut mean to them.
"a realm of surprise bags"
Germany
Katja Lange-Müller (author): "For me, the Goethe-Institut libraries are the realm of surprise bags."
 

Streamingtipps

We have compiled a fantastic selection of German films and series for you to enjoy that are currently available in the media libraries of the public broadcasters and on various streaming services in Germany.

Streamingtipps Seite © Goethe-Institut / Tobias Schrank © Goethe-Institut / Tobias Schrank

Digital library

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

A woman listens to digital media from the Onleihe service and runs past people waiting at the bus stop in the rain. Illustration: Maria Tran Larsen © Goethe-Institut Illustration: Maria Tran Larsen © Goethe-Institut

Reading made easy

When "easy readers" are too easy: For learners of German at the B2 and C1 levels, we recommend e-books in the Onleihe, our free digital library.

Male figure reading on the beach Illustration: Maria Tran Larsen © Goethe-Institut Illustration: Maria Tran Larsen © Goethe-Institut

Cooperation partners

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