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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.

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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