A valid library card is needed to check-out items. You can register for a card at the Central and branch libraries. Please bring the required documentation with you. By signing the registration form, you acknowledge the regulations of the Cologne Public Library regarding usage and fees. We ask you to read the regulations carefully, as the following are only excerpts.

Usage and Fees

Loan periods

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).

There is a fee of 2 euros per book to borrow and renew books from the Bestseller Service.

Additional fees

  • Reserving an item: 1 euro
  • Bestseller service: 2 euros per book
  • Inter-library loan: 2.50 euros per order
  • Checking out without a library card: 1 euro
  • Replacement library card: 3.50 euros

Overdue Fees

  • Exceeding the loan period results in overdue charges of 1 euro per item per week or part thereof.
  • If an item is more than 11 weeks overdue, an additional 25 euros per item will be charged.
  • Mailed overdue notices incur a charge of 1 euro for the first overdue notice and 1.20 euros for the second overdue notice.
  • There is no charge for email notification of overdue charges.
  • Special Bestseller Service regulation:
    There is a late fee of 1 euro per book per day. After 19 weeks, an additional 25 euros per book will be charged.

Completeness, Damages and Returns

Please check all media for completeness before borrowing. Have any damage noted by library staff before borrowing. The Cologne Public Library does not guarantee the quality of the media and cannot provide reimbursement on these grounds.

You have the option of receiving a receipt for returned items. Please keep these and all payment receipts for four months.

Renewals

You can renew your items online as well as on the catalogue PCs in the library.

Please note that items can only be renewed twice, provided there is no reserve on the items.

Change of residence, loss and transferability of library cards

Please report the loss of your library card immediately in order to have it blocked. Please report a change of residence immediately in order to have the address updated. A replacement library card costs 3.50 euros. Library cards are non-transferable.