A very nice library right above the shopping center das schloss. The big room has lots of windows…read moreand enough places to have a seat and look through the book you want to take home with you. The whole library system is automatized, so you just need to make a membership card and can do the whole borrowing procedure by yourself. Unfortunately this takes away parts of the cozy atmosphere. There are plenty of german books and if you miss something you can let them send it over from another library. There are lockers, a coffee shop and a very big and well ordered music section too!

I read about this library's architecture online so on a recent trip to Berlin, I had to check it…read moreout. In the process of researching it, I discovered that anyone can get a library card...you don't have to reside in Berlin. I filled out the application online and obtained my card at the desk (after standing in quite a long line...getting a card must be a popular activity). Once you have the card, you can enter this library and the Unter den Linden location. This building is beautiful with multiple levels and stacks to explore. There are people working everywhere so it's important to tour quietly. This is a great library and a great resource for the people of Berlin.

As a fan of libraries when I saw the "Stabi" (as it's commonly referred to in Berlin,) was a part…read morethe Kulturforum, I was curious to see what one of the largest libraries in Berlin had to offer. The entrance is very broad and imposing, almost like the entrance of a large corporate complex, which isn't surprising since looking up after being there that it's one of the largest libraries in Europe. Its architecture follows a post war modernist style, sharp angles, straight lines and utilitarian while still showcasing the grand scale of socialist industrial influence. Originally the library was the royal collection of respective rulers of the region from 1661 through 1810, after which in 1810 became part of the Prussian administration. It increased its holdings thru 1884, then formally became known as the Prussian State Library since 1918. The socialist regime and following war destroyed much of the library, after which it was rebuilt and existed in two locations, right across the wall from each other. Today that section is located just down the street. Arriving at around 5:30pm on Friday afternoon, unfortunately I didn't get very far inside the building. Walking in the lobby and open space is huge, silent and hundreds of different sized-lockers greet you on the left. There are also lockers in another part of the lobby I believe walking to the right. No larger bags or coats are allowed inside, you must use a locker. Also you have to sign up for library membership (requiring appropriate German identification), to go thru the security desk. I walked all around the open areas and the sections with books and other media were completely walled or gated in. Even from the areas that were open I could see plenty of desks, study areas, and tons of books. From g-maps the interiors look spacious with great facilities for studying and getting work done. The noise level was basically non-exist, save for what looked like some study groups in discussion in the table areas outside security. A pity that it's not possible to go inside otherwise. I suppose as a research library they need to be more strict though was surprised to see that basically the entire library and not only partial was restricted. EDIT: thank you fellow Yelper Hilde for pointing out to me that there is a separate entrance that's accessible to the general public! So if you're stopping by make sure you're headed to the right part of the building - next time I'll be sure to check it out!

This rating is based on a very personal preference and should be understood in that sense. The…read morelibrary of the Ibero-American Institute is the largest in Europe on themes of Spain, Portugal, latin America and the Caribbean. For researchers in these areas, it is Paradise. The Institute also holds numerous events of a cultural nature, not all for the die-hard specialist, and also has conferences and produces excellent publications. Note that the Ibero-American institute is also housed with the Preussischer Kulturbesitz and those who are interested in Prussian themes will thus also find a lot of encouragement to visit this site located close to the Potsdamer Platz, a lively place indeed during the December holiday season.

The Berlin Art Library (Kunstbibliothek Berlin) located in Kulturforum. I have passed this place…read moreduring my visit to Gemäldegalerie couple times. So I was actually kinda excited when I finally pay a visit. But thing is, not everyone can get in this library, only the people who have the special card can go in. I am not sure how to card this card yet, probably something like a student card. Because of that, I couldn't get inside. But the good part is, at the upper floor there is a small exhibition can check out. The exhibition as I heard it always changeable. The exhibition room itself is not really huge. At this moment, they exhibits "!Krieg Und Kleider" between 1914 to 1918. This the collection of women's clothing at the war time, it's a period of turmoil in the history of fashion coming between Art Nouveau and the Twenties, it's also a time of amazing vitality and modernity. The exhibition has 3 different areas, from Berlin, Vienna to Paris. Inside this place they don't actually has the clothing back then. It's manly the design drawings and photographs, there are also some books of the collection of such a period of fashion. The exhibition wasn't bad at all, I actually find it interested. And some of the drawings are pretty beautiful and up to the modern scale. It was just not so big. I was able to finished it earlier than I expected. Thus, I like the exhibition quite well, Although I couldn't visit The Berlin Art Library inside, I also got some glances of it, it actually seem like really nice place for art student and people who like art. In the future, I might get a chance to explore inside, who knows!

From the owner: Ab Samstag, 14.03.2020, sind alle Häuser der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin bis auf weiteres…read moregeschlossen. Diese Maßnahme soll helfen, die Verbreitung des Coronavirus so gering wie möglich zu halten. Wir bitten unsere Besucherinnen und Besucher um Verständnis. Die Kunstbibliothek besitzt nicht allein ihre spartenübergreifende Bibliothek, sondern überdies umfangreiche Museumssammlungen mit mehr als einer Million Objekten. Der Bestand zur angewandten Kunst umspannt das ganze Spektrum der Kunstgeschichte vom späten Mittelalter bis in die Gegenwart: - Quellenschriften zur Architekturgeschichte - Architekturzeichnungen und -modelle - Ornamentstiche aus allen Bereichen der angewandten Kunst - klassische und zeitgenössische Buch- und Medienkunst - Bilder der Mode und Kostümgeschichte - Fotografie sowie Plakatkunst und Grafikdesign. In der Kunstbibliothek können Forscherinnen und Forscher aus dem In- und Ausland die Objekte der Museumssammlungen im Zusammenhang mit den wissenschaftlichen Primär- und Sekundärquellen aus den Bibliotheken studieren.