Library

Diverse. Open to all.

Our library in Johannesburg is a place for everyone who wants to read, listen to music, watch films, be inspired and meet people. We look forward to seeing you!


Goethe-Institut Johannesburg Library and Gamebox © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

Search for books or other items in the catalogue

Digital library

The Onleihe is Goethe-Institut’s digital library (eLibrary). More than 23,000 German language eBooks, audio books, movies, materials for German language learners, magazines and newspapers are available for downloading from the Onleihe. 

Cover - Onleihe: The Digital Library Illustration: Maria Tran Larsen © Goethe-Institut Illustration: Maria Tran Larsen © Goethe-Institut

Borrow Books and Media

Watch this space for upcoming events!

Inhabiting the Library

The Library-Gamebox-Hub invited proposals for the use of its physical space and infrastructure to host projects, workshops, team meetings, reading groups, and other ideas that expand the possibilities of the space. Concepts were based on the practical use of the Library-Gamebox-Hub.

Possible formats include talks, podcast, workspace, photography studio, rehearsal space, and venue for listening sessions, book launch, script readings, meetings, etc.

A performance in the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg Library © Earl Abrahams

Projects and Events

Book of the Month

Every month, the Goethe-Institut South Africa publishes a review about an African/South African author. Written by South Africans for South Africans.

On the left is the logo of the Book of the Month series above a coffee mug, on the right is a book pile. © Goethe Institut Johannesburg © Goethe Institut Johannesburg

Silent Book Club

Silent Book club is about meeting other like-minded readers, chatting about what other people are reading and then reading together in companionable silence.

Silent Book Club © Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut

Afro Freedom Bookclub

The AFRO-Freedom Book Club is a public book club that focuses on African writers to inspire dialogue and civic engagement in the community. We strongly believe in the voice of Africans and the importance of telling our own stories. Everyone is invited to join our circle!

Afro Freedom Book Club November Book Selection - The History of a Difficult Child by Mihret Sibhat    

A multi-part, hybrid format geared to promote sustainable, local library initiatives.

Green Libraries : Renewing the Future

We invite Libraries and Librarians in South Africa who want to explore what 'sustainability' means to them.  We are looking for projects that explore how they can develop strategies and tools to promote sustainability in their work and organization, and in their contact with and impact on their communities, to apply to take part in this project.

Greeen Libraries Project @ Goethe-Institut Johannesburg Library © Thabang Radebe © Thabang Radebe

Facilities & What We Offer

Podcast @ Goethe

The Library-Gamebox-Hub is offering podcasting equipment to be used on-site as well as the recording space. Our equipment includes microphones, headphones, mixers, plus a soundproofed recording space to ensure quality recordings and more!

Goethe-Institut Johannesburg Podcasting equipmment rental    

Gamebox

The GameBox is a digital and physical creative space for creation, collaboration and importantly, play. It is open for use to all individuals interested in games, virtual reality and game development. 

Goethe-Institut Johannesburg Gamebox © Thabang Radebe © Thabang Radebe

Translation funding

Our translation funding programme supports the publication of books by German authors in another language.

Goethe-Institut translation funding    

Services for librarians

Events, specialist information and cooperation services for librarians.

Services for librarians    

Visit Us

Opening Hours

Monday - Thursday 14:00 - 18:00

Address

119 Jan Smuts Avenue Parkwood
Johannesburg
2193
South Africa
Goethe-institut Johannesburg © Hannah Paton

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