The Scientific City Library offers undisturbed reading and working conditions in its historic Art Nouveau reading room on the second floor. The reading room's literature selection includes general and specialist reference works, encyclopedias, handbooks, and dictionaries, as well as a selection of German-language daily and weekly newspapers. This is supplemented by the non-circulating collection of the Research Library for Book and Cultural History.

The reading room is used for literature published before 1900 and all other non-circulating items in the library. Interlibrary loans that must be read in the reading room can also be viewed here.

The first row is reserved for manuscripts, rare books, special collections, and printed works from the 16th and 17th centuries. Tools such as quartz lamps, Slimlight film, and a "darkroom" for watermark tracing and other special examinations are available. Use is governed by the Special Regulations for the Use of Manuscripts, Rare Books, and Special Collections.

Since pigments containing heavy metals were sometimes used to color book edges and bindings until the 19th century, we recommend wearing gloves when handling books printed before 1900. These will be provided by us on request.

Opening hours

Monday, Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.