We have been helping to acquire knowledge and preserve cultural assets for over 100 years.

A place for knowledge, learning and exchange

The University and City Library of Cologne is the central place of learning for students at the University of Cologne and is also open to students from other universities and all citizens of the region. With a collection of more than four million titles, we are the largest academic library in North Rhine-Westphalia. Over 60,000 registered users, more than 800 study places and around one million visitors per year demonstrate our importance for study, research and urban society.

Wide range of services

Our services support teaching, studies and research at all levels: We procure academic literature in printed and electronic form, we support academics in financing open access publications and provide an infrastructure so that they can publish books and journals themselves. Together with the ITCC and the Department of Research Management, we offer services for the management of research data. We offer students a wide range of advisory services, guided tours and training courses.

In our historical collections, we preserve, restore and digitize important works, such as the legendary First Folio of William Shakespeare - there are only 14 well-preserved complete editions in the world. We preserve the libraries of Ferdinand Franz Wallraf, Jacob Ignaz Hittorff and many others, as well as the Historische Stadtbibliothek for the city of Cologne. We support teaching and research on these collections and present the most beautiful books to the city's public.

The University and City Library sees itself as a cultural player in Cologne and beyond. We regularly organize exhibitions, panel discussions and much more for our cultural programme. We would particularly like to highlight our commitment to the Wallraf200 anniversary.

Management: Dr. Hubertus Neuhausen

"Our mission goes beyond collecting books. We promote open science, digital skills and cultural heritage. Today more than ever, libraries are places of free access to knowledge, exchange and social participation. The library of the future is a public space for learning, innovation and critical thinking that is open to all curious people and those who want to create something new."

We are here for you

The University and City Library of Cologne has over 150 dedicated employees working in a wide variety of fields. In addition to our highly qualified team of librarians, we have many other professional fields that are not immediately associated with a library - from the traditional craft of bookbinding to science and academic teaching to administration, IT and marketing.

History of the library

On May 14, 1920, the University and City Library was founded on the initiative of the then Lord Mayor of Cologne, Konrad Adenauer. Three academic libraries of the city of Cologne were incorporated into the new University and City Library: the library of the former commercial college, the city library in the Gereonskloster and the library of the Academy of Practical Medicine. In 1934, the collections were moved to shared premises in the main building of the University of Cologne.

It was not until the 1960s that the books were given a home of their own: the architect Rolf Gutbrod planned a three-part library on Universitätsstraße/Kerpener Straße with book stacks, administration and use, where the majority of the volumes are still housed today.

Under one roof

Our library brings together exciting projects and services that go far beyond the daily library business.

Whether as part of the digital infrastructure of the University of Cologne, as a logistical hub for interlibrary loans via the Sorting Center NRW, as a driving force for the digital transformation of cultural assets as part of the LAM project (Library, Archive, Museum), as the home of a traditional bookbindery or as an active part of Cologne's collection structure - we network, preserve and shape. This is where practice meets innovation, craft meets science, past meets future.

Sustainability

As a place of knowledge and education, the library bears responsibility for future generations. For us, sustainability means conserving resources, expanding digital services and making cultural heritage permanently accessible - in social, ecological and economic terms.

Funding & partnerships

Our work requires a strong network of supporters. This ranges from civic engagement and public funding to presence in the media. We would like to thank our supporters and partners for their successful cooperation.

Also interesting

• Our publications

• Service offer: Processing of historical book collections