Membership FAQ

How do I become a member of the Cologne Public Library?

You can register in person at all Library locations. Required is your German identification card, with valid address, or a passport plus registration certificate. By signing the registration form, you acknowledge the regulations of the Cologne Public Library relating to usage and fees.

You only need the following registration form for the registration of children and young adults under the age of 18 or when registering for a permanent membership.

My address has changed, what do I have to do?

The next time you visit the library, simply have your address changed by presenting your identitfication card. This can be done at all locations of the Cologne Public Library.

Can I use a library card from the "Universitäts- und Stadtbibliothek" at the Cologne Public Library?

No. The "Universitäts- und Stadtbibliothek" is a state institution, the Cologne Public Library ("Stadtbibliothek") is a municipal institution. There are historical reasons for the similarity of names which leads to misunderstandings.

How can I cancel my membership?

For memberships lasting a year, six months or three months, no notice of termination is necessary. After expiration the membership card is automatically invalid. Your membership is suspended but can be reactivated at any time.

If you wish to cancel a permanent membership, a termination notice must be submitted in writing four weeks before the annual membership entitlement expires. Please send a short, written notice of termination either by post, e-mail or via the secure contact form to.

What is my pin code and where can I change it?

You received a 4-digit PIN when you registered for your library card. This is made up of your birthday and the last two digits of your year of birth.

For example: If you were born on November 3, 1977, your pin code is 0377.

You can and should change the preset PIN to a self-chosen PIN in the library catalogue under "My Account". If you have forgotten your PIN, you can also request a new code in your user account.

How can I find out whether I still have items checked out and when they are due?

In the customer account section of the catalogue you can view your checked-out items and renew them. To access your account, please enter your library card number and your four-digit PIN.

What should I do if I have lost my library card?

Please report the loss to the Library immediately so that your card can be blocked. Please bear in mind that large fees may be incurred as a result of possible misuse.

If you find your library card again, you can have it unblocked at any institution of the Stadtbibliothek - in person and upon presentation of your identity card.

How do I get a replacement library card?

You can obtain a replacement card at all Library locations for a fee of 3.50 euros. The period of validity of the library card is not affected.

What can I borrow at the Cologne Public Library?

Items available for borrowing include:

Books, CDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, language courses, maps, sheet music, board games and magazines. A limited number of e-readers and GPS navigation devices are also available.

Media can also be borrowed and downloaded from the e-lending service:

Is there a fee for borrowing media?

The borrowing of media is included in the cost of the membership fee, with the exception of the Bestseller Service, which costs 2 euros per item.

How do I borrow and return items?

RFID technology is used to checkout and return media. The items are scanned via an antenna and not with a barcode scanner as in the past.

Borrowing

Self-service check-out terminals are available at all Library locations. To borrow books, you need your valid library card and your four-digit PIN (the first two and last two digits of your date of birth). The items can then be checked out either individually or in stacks of three by placing them on the glass shelf. Our staff will be happy to help you with the use of the kiosks.

At the end of the check-out process you have the option of receiving a receipt that includes the due dates. You can also view due dates at anytime online in your customer account.

Please examine items for completeness and possible damage before checking out. Any damage you find and report will then be recorded in the book with a stamp, date and initials, thus avoiding later damage claims.

Returns

Items can be returned at all Library locations.

Return terminals are available at all Library locations. Items are placed on the return terminal one at a time. A library card is not required to return items. Outside of regular opening hours you can use the return terminal located on the east side of the Central Library. The outer flap opens as soon as you place your items on the shelf. Please place the items one by one into the slot as soon as the green light turns on.

At the end of the process you have the option of receiving a receipt. Please check your media (especially CDs, DVDs and similar) for completeness before each return. If you return incomplete media, your library card must unfortunately be blocked until the case is clarified.

Can another person borrow items for me?

No. The library card is not transferable.

However, it is possible for someone else to return your library items, as no library card is required for returns.

Can I return items at all Library locations?

Yes, you can return items at the Central Library, any branch and the bookmobile, regardless of where the items were checked out.

What are the loan periods and how many items can I borrow?

There are two different loan periods:

• 4 weeks: books, media combinations, CD-ROMS, learning aids, printed music and maps.
• 2 weeks: DVDs, CDs, magazines, games, Bestseller books (electronic media have different lending periods).

The borrowing limit is 25 items per card for adults and 15 items for children.

Media downloaded from the E-Lending service are not included.

Can I renew items?

Yes, items can be renewed twice, provided the title is not reserved. The day on which the item is renewed is the beginning of the new loan period.

Items can be renewed online, in person or by contacting customer service.

Telefax: 0221 / 221-23970

An item is checked out. Can I reserve it?

Media can be reserved for a fee of 1 euro online, by telephone or at the information desk.

To reserve an item online, you must enter your library card number and PIN. The 1-euro fee will be added to your library account.

Will I be notified when a reserved item has arrived?

Yes, you will be notified by email or postal mail when the item is available for pick-up. It will be held for you for a period of 10 days.

Please note that due to various factors (for example late return or waiting list) it is not possible to provide exact information about when the item will be available.

Is it possible to obtain media that are not in the Cologne Public Library’s collection?

Yes, books can be obtained from other libraries via inter-library loan. 

An inter-library loan costs 2.50 euros per title, regardless of whether the attempt to obtain the item is successful or not.

Which titles are not available via inter-library loan?

The following items cannot be ordered via inter-library loan:

• Books in the collection of the Cologne Public Library but currently checked out
• Loose-leaf editions
• Reference holdings
• Books that are very valuable
• Literature available for purchase for less than 15 euros
• Books and other media that do not serve the purpose of research, teaching, training, further education and professional work.