tips
Your library card in Germany: Stadtbibliothek and Onleihe for German learners
2026-10-02
If you're learning German in Germany, one of the best deals in the country is waiting in your city: the public library. For a small yearly fee, and in many cities for free if you're a child or student, you can borrow books, audiobooks, films, magazines and learning materials. With the Onleihe, you can even do it from your sofa.
Here's how it works and the German you need.
The Stadtbibliothek
Most German cities and towns have a public library, usually called Stadtbibliothek (city library) or Stadtbücherei. Bigger cities have a central library and smaller branches in different neighborhoods.
For learners, a library is a treasure chest. Look for:
- Deutsch als Fremdsprache (DaF): a section for people learning German, with textbooks, grammar books, exam practice and graded readers.
- The children's section: picture books and simple stories are perfect for beginners, and nobody will judge you.
- Audiobooks and films: hear German while you read along or watch with subtitles.
- Events: many libraries host a Sprachcafé (language café), reading groups or conversation meetups. They're often free.
Libraries are also quiet, warm places to study, with Wi-Fi and desks. In winter, that alone is worth a lot.
Getting your library card
To borrow anything, you need a Bibliotheksausweis (library card). You usually apply at the service desk, and in some cities you can start online.
What to bring:
- your Personalausweis or Reisepass (ID card or passport)
- often a proof of address, like your Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate)
Fees differ from city to city. Many libraries charge a small yearly fee for adults and have reduced fees for students, trainees and people with low income. Children and teenagers often get their card for free. Check your library's website for the details.
What to say at the desk
- Ich möchte einen Bibliotheksausweis beantragen. I'd like to apply for a library card.
- Was brauche ich dafür? What do I need for that?
- Wo finde ich Bücher für Deutschlernende? Where can I find books for German learners?
- Wie lange kann ich das ausleihen? How long can I borrow this?
- Kann ich das verlängern? Can I renew it?
- Kann ich das Buch vormerken? Can I reserve the book?
Library words
- die Bibliothek or die Bücherei: library
- ausleihen: to borrow
- zurückgeben: to return
- die Leihfrist: loan period
- verlängern: to renew, to extend
- vormerken: to reserve, put on hold
- die Mahngebühr: late fee
- der Rückgabeautomat: return machine
Many libraries have self-service machines for borrowing and returning. The screens are a good little reading exercise, and you can usually switch them to English if you get stuck.
The Onleihe: your library on your phone
The Onleihe (from online + Ausleihe, "lending") is the digital lending service used by many public libraries in Germany. With your library card, you can borrow:
- E-Books: novels, children's books, graded readers, nonfiction
- E-Audios: audiobooks
- E-Paper: newspapers and magazines
It works like this:
- Install the Onleihe app on your phone or tablet, or use the website.
- Choose your library from the list.
- Log in with your library card number and password (ask at the desk if you don't have a password yet).
- Borrow a title. It's yours for the loan period.
The best part: e-books are returned automatically when the loan period ends, so there are no late fees. If a title is already borrowed by someone else, you can reserve it and get a message when it's free.
A few things to know:
- Many e-readers that support the Onleihe work well, for example tolino devices. Amazon's Kindle e-readers generally don't work with the Onleihe, so use the app on your phone or tablet instead.
- The selection depends on your library. Bigger libraries and regional networks usually have more titles.
- Some libraries also offer other digital services with your card, such as film streaming or online language courses. Ask what's included.
How to use the library for learning
- Read and listen together. Borrow the book and the audiobook of the same title. Read a chapter, then listen to it.
- Read the news in easy German. Look for newspapers in the E-Paper section, or start with simpler sources and work your way up.
- Pick a series. Graded readers often come in series with the same characters. Finishing one makes the next one easier.
- Go to the Sprachcafé. It's one of the easiest ways to start speaking with people outside your course.
Not sure what to borrow first? Our post on German books by level has ideas from A2 to B2.
Keep what you read
When you find a word you want to remember, save it to your word library and Pretzel will bring it back as a flashcard with the article and an example. Stuck on a long sentence? The sentence explainer breaks it down for you.
Viel Spaß in der Bibliothek!