Stadt- und Landesbibliothek Potsdam

The city of Potsdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is well known for its rich history. Today, it serves as the capital of the state of Brandenburg and is part of the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. The City and State Library of Potsdam have two distinct profiles. The City Library is a public library serving local residents, while the State Library functions as the archival library for the entire state of Brandenburg. The library is centrally located in a modern, functionalist building called the Bildungsforum (Education Forum). It occupies two floors, characterized by an open, light-filled atrium. A diverse collection of books, music, films, newspapers, and magazines is available both on-site and online. There is also a “library of things,” where various items can be borrowed with a regular library card — for example, sewing machines and other tools for textile projects. This is a traditional, quiet library without separate study rooms or social areas. The relatively small café connected to the library serves as the main social space for visitors, where you are welcome to read the library’s newspapers and magazines. Wi-Fi is free and can be used for up to two hours per day, but there is an annual fee of €19 for adult borrowers. The library is even open on Sundays, although with limited services. In cooperation with #KulturmachtPotsdam, it also hosts a varied cultural program for visitors of all ages. FOUR stars: Very good