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Library

Our library is a public space for anyone who wants to read, work, listen to music or just take a coffee break in an oasis of calm. Visit us and explore the culture of today's Germany. A colourful place where Europe and the rest of the world come together. 


people looking at book shelves © Goethe-Institut London | Photo: Jayne Lloyd

Visit the Library

Address

50 Princes Gate
Exhibition Road
London SW7 2PH
United Kingdom

Opening Hours Library

Mon–Fri 09:00–20:30

Sat 09:00–17:00

Mon–Thu 13:00–17:00 pm

Next "Open Samstag" Saturday, 07 June 2025 (Great Exhibition Road Festival) Saturday, 12 July 2025 (Secondhand German Book Fair)

New Offer in the Library

Our brand new offer - a course in the library!

Coding & German

The Coding & German course is a co-operation between the library and the language course department. The project teaches children and young people basic programming skills and improves their German language skills at the same time - an ideal combination for the digital future.

Coding und Deutsch Image © Goethe-Institut Izmir © Goethe-Institut Izmir

Our library services

Plan your visit

Our Library in London

Our library is open to the public for free on-site use. Learn more about borrowing terms, membership, opening hours, and our media collection here.

Bücherregal © Goethe-Institut London | Photo: Jayne Lloyd © Goethe-Institut London | Photo: Jayne Lloyd

Anywhere, anytime, free of charge

Onleihe - The 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

Free resources online!

Academic research

This Open Access search gives you access to around three million freely accessible scientific online publications in various languages, mainly German and English, but also other languages.

Frau in der akademischen Forschung © Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut

Search for books or other items in the catalogue

Find the Right Balance

Work and Play

For those needing a desk to work or study, the library offers a variety of settings, some with iPads. Experiment with our interactive artwork: Seat #12.

People balancing on a floating seat © Goethe-Institut London | Photo: Jayne Lloyd © Goethe-Institut London | Photo: Jayne Lloyd

Read and discuss with others

Join A Book Club

Explore the work of acclaimed German language authors - sign up for one of our book clubs and join in a discussion. 

four people talking about books © Goethe-Institut London | Photo: Jayne Lloyd © Goethe-Institut London | Photo: Jayne Lloyd

Translators' Workshop

Translate

A regular drop-in peer-to-peer workshop for literary translators from German to English. Contact Steph Morris for further info: 
herr_morris@yahoo.com
 

people discussing seated at a table © Goethe-Institut London | Photo Jayne Lloyd © Goethe-Institut London | Photo Jayne Lloyd

Practice Makes Perfect

Improve Your German

German as a foreign language is a focus point of our collection. Goethe-Institut language students, German teachers and A-level students will find a wide choice of materials on offer.

Three people at a desk © Goethe-Institut London | Photo Jayne Lloyd © Goethe-Institut London | Photo Jayne Lloyd

No German? No Problem!

Discover our English language materials

Non-German speakers might be surprised to hear that the library has a wide choice of English language materials. From German novels in translation to subtitled films, we hope to cater for your interests. 

Man standing, reading a book in the Library © Goethe-Institut London | Photo Jayne Lloyd © Goethe-Institut London | Photo Jayne Lloyd

Experience AI in the Library

Meet with our robot

A robot as a librarian? Learn more about our media collection, get some special recommendations and experience what talking to a humanoid machine feels like.

Students talking to a Robot © Goethe-Institut London | Photo: Pao Ros © Goethe-Institut London | Photo: Pao Ros

Internship in the library

Intern

Saeon Kim

Read the blog post of our intern Saeon, who worked with us from January-April 2025.

An image of Saeon Kim © Saeon Kim © Saeon Kim

The free digital library of the Goethe-Institut.

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