The Libraries of the City of Mainz

City Library - Available Resources

The City Library emerged from the library of the electoral university (est. 1477), that was dissolved during the revolutionary wars of 1798 by the French government. In 1803/1805 the resources of the former university library became the property of the city of Mainz.

Since 1912 the library is located in its own building in the Rheinallee street of Mainz. With its resources of more than 670,000 volumes, the City Library is one of the largest municipal scientific libraries of Germany. Special emphasis is placed on cultural history and regional studies. The library’s historical collections and rarities as well as a number of manuscripts are of special significance. Remarkable collections, including the productions of the Jos. Scholz Mainz publishers, the ornithological book collection of Jakob Moyat, or the Peter Cornelius Archive, evolved from donations, estates and antiquarian acquisitions.

Also noticeable are the newspaper and periodical collections that were preserved through World War II. Scanned newspapers of Mainz with publishing dates going back to the 18th century, can be accessed via the microfilm scanner and individual pages or articles printed out.

Tours:

Groups that are interested in a library tour or a tour of a special collection are welcome to contact telephone 12 26 51 for reservations.