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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

Our library services

Plan your visit

The library is open to the public and the use of books and media in the library is free of charge.

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

eLibrary

Our digital library 'Onleihe' allows you to borrow more than 23,000 E-books, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines in German and also view films - free of charge.

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

Search for books or other items in the catalogue

Services

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

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletters to hear the latest news about our cultural events, language courses and events for teachers.

Our past interns

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

Intern

Julia Kettenbach

Read the blog posts of our intern Julia, who worked with us from January-April 2024.

Julia stands in front of building Julia Kettenbach Julia Kettenbach

Intern

Sarah Neil

Read the blog posts of our intern Sarah, who worked with us from February-May 2023.

An image of intern Sarah Neil standing at a canal in front of colourful houses Sarah Neil Sarah Neil

Intern

Lena E. Schröpl

Read the blog posts from our intern Lena, who worked with us from August-December 2022. 

A picture of Lena Lena E. Schröpl Lena E. Schröpl

Inspiration

eLibrary

Europe: Past and Future

Europe's place in the world

European flag © Colourbox © Colourbox

eLibrary

Diversity, Racism and (Post)-Colonialism

Contributions to contemporary discourse.

A lizard sits on a small blue stop sign. Photo: José Aragones | Unsplash.com Photo: José Aragones | Unsplash.com

Digitalisation and Society

How does digitalisation change our society?

Hand with pen on a laptop Bild: Sigmund | Unsplash.com Bild: Sigmund | Unsplash.com

New Books in German

An expert selection

An Expert Selection

New Books in German: Reviews of new German-language titles - a selection of the best fiction and non-fiction from Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The essential resource for publishers, translators, booksellers and readers.

"New Books in German" logo: three vertical bars in different colours symbolising three books

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

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