After living in Berlin for a couple years, it was high time I finally got a library card. Of…read morecourse, I have many books I brought over with me, plus my Kindle, so getting a card wasn't exactly a high priority, especially since it costs €10 a year to have one. But I wanted to step up my German game, which meant checking out German books (at least, I figure this is more cost-effective than buying them). So I came to this branch. And although it's not my closest branch, it's better than the one by me, as it's newer, bigger, and has a better selection. I quickly got my card (it was probably a 10-minute process) and set about exploring. The building is three stories with just about everything you could imagine. It's relatively clearly organized, but if you can't find something, just ask one of the employees. There is a cafe on the ground floor, and places to sit and study or read (with free WiFi for those with a card) - although compared to other libraries, this one isn't the most welcoming or comfortable for a long, involved study session (hence four stars instead of five). In fact, as lovely and modern as this building is, it also feels rather sterile... but that's just the vibe I got. Pro tip: for those who have never been, even though it's on Frankfurter Allee, the building is removed from the street and down a small side street.

This place is all light and silver and books. I was worried, when I moved to Berlin, that my trek…read moreto a library would be a sort of exodus - living in Berkeley, where I could stretch out my arms and touch three libraries with my fingertips, I had gotten used to both quality and proximity, and the Gedenkbibliothek fills both those criteria. Almost a hundred sun-facing tables with spindly-legged chairs line the back windows. They fill up quickly in the morning, so get there early (by 11 or half-past) to nab a spot. The youth section, downstairs, is colorful and charming; entering the main library feels like walking into MI6 but for books. The selection of English books is sparse, but if you read German, you're golden, especially in terms of nonfiction: I've seen a generous heaping of everything from art to philosophy to travel on the shelves.

Also, die Bibliothek, oder? Sollte so'n entspannter Ort zum ruhigen Lernen sein und so. Aber nein,…read morees ist wie'n Zoo da drin, mit lauten Studenten und zwielichtigen Gestalten, die ungehindert rumlaufen. Ernsthaft, Ohrstöpsel sind ein Muss, um den Wahnsinn zu überleben. Und fang' erst gar nicht mit den Morgenstunden an - sollen ja friedlich sein, aber es ist genauso chaotisch. Totaler Reinfall.