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.

The Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Center is a University Library of Humboldt-Universität. This scientific…read morelibrary is open to general public but some seats in reading room are only reserved for Humboldt University students. The Grimm Center houses special historical and art collection items which may only be used on site within Research Reading Room. On last floor there is a special reading room for mothers with children or pregnant women. Toddlers can play while mothers study. The library is open until midnight from Monday to Friday and until 6 p.m on weekends. There is a new lending automation system for books you request at the magazine and you will get ordered items from automatic lending kiosk. Service is very friendly and helpful. The Swiss architect Max Dudler who built this building won several prizes in 2009 and 2010.

So far this is the best place for student for their intensif study. Cozy place, quite and spacious…read more Its has so many books from different type of studies. For me, as not a Humboldt student, its very easy to register and borrowing the books. They have advance library system and catalog. You can borrow until 30 books at the same time, and you can also can request books from different library with cost only 1,5EUR / book. The opening times its amazing, Mon-Fri its open from 08-24, and its also open on the weekend and holiday from 10-18.

If you're looking for children's books in German, this is your spot. It's got everything you need,…read moreplus small sections with books in English, Turkish, and a few other languages as well. You can also check out DVDs, video games, CDs, etc. I didn't pay this spot much mind until I had a kid of my own, but now it's great... and nearby too. They have couches and chairs and little nook areas for hanging out and reading as well, which I really like. Minus one star because of the time I returned a book a week early but the machine for checking them in and out didn't work and someone else checked it out the next day (meaning there was no way I could have still had it since someone else did) and they still charged me a late fee even after acknowledging I turned it in on time. Like, come on...

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!

What a lovely library, saw it and just had to stop and check out the antique books. The library is…read moresuper quiet and you get 30 minutes free access. We walked this lovely library and enjoyed the beautiful artwork in the seating area. We saw a book swap and sat at the comfy chairs and checked out the books. There is a cafeteria onsite. We enjoyed a pear dessert before heading off on our next adventure.

I love libraries and museums. We didn't plan on visiting this library, but as we're walking by, I…read morefelt like a magnet was pulling me toward it. And I'm glad we stopped in. It was a bitterly cold December afternoon, and we stopped in the library to warm up a bit. Visitors will receive a 30 minute visitors pass to look around the library. We went to the rare book reading room and it was a beautiful scene - over 100 people reading and studying quietly surrounded by beautiful bookcases of rare books. We' ventured on and found a comfortable sitting area that was essentially a book exchange. Visitors could bring books to leave or take books with them. We found a 75-year-old German story book for students to bring home. There's a small café on the ground floor. Prices are not unreasonably high. Very clean bathrooms.