Community Resources

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

Residents of Germany have access to around 150 academic databases through the German Research Foundation (DFG). The aim is to enable scientists, students and scientifically interested individuals access to databases, digital text collections, electronic journals and e-books.

These databases are made available through the universities below, but individuals can also register to access them from home. To register, users must select the databases they would like access to and create an account on the DFG’s website. Upon registration the DFG will send the login credentials to the user’s home address. Usually this takes a day or two.

Freie Universität

Users officially registered in Berlin or in Brandenburg can obtain user cards at no charge on presentation of identification (Personalausweis; or passport in combination with official proof of residence (Meldebescheinigung)). Adolescents (age 16 through 17) must submit a special form for requesting a user card; this form has to be signed by a parent or legal guardian.

More information can be found on their website.

Humboldt Universität

Any resident of the Germany who is at least 16 years of age may register to use the libraries of Humboldt University free of charge. You must submit your ID card or your passport with official proof of residency (Anmeldungbescheinigung) at one of their service desks (for instance at the Grimm Zentrum near Friedrichstr. Bhf). In a few minutes, you will be issued with a user ID that is valid for one year. For more information see their FAQ section (German only).

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must provide your parents’ consent along with your passport and proof of residency. Please print the following form and take it with you when you register: Parental Consent Form (PDF).

When you register you will be able to borrow books and access hundreds of online databases from computers located in any of Humboldt University’s libraries.

Technische Universität Berlin

Secondary students can register to use the libraries of the TU at the central library (Zentralbibliothek) for 5.00 EUR/year. Required documents include passport, proof of residency (Meldebescheinigung) and student card (Schülerausweis). In addition, students under 18 will need to submit a form signed by their legal guardian. Upon registration students can borrow books and take advantage of electronic resources.

Click here for more information.

Universität der Künste Berlin

A Technische Universität Berlin library card (see above) is valid at the libraries of the UdK Berlin.

Verbund der Öffentlichen Bibliotheken Berlins – VÖBB

The following resources are provided by the public library system of Berlin and users must possess a VÖBB library card in order to access them.

Students and faculty can obtain a library card free of charge by submitting an application form to any public library branch in Berlin. For the most up-to-date list of resources see the VÖBB web site.

Brockhaus Encyclopedia Online 

The digital BROCKHAUS offers access to art and culture, spelling, synonyms, children’s and youth lexica and much more. (Access Instructions)

Duden

The Duden will answer all your questions about language and selected topics such as business, law and medicine. (Access Instructions)

Munzinger

Search here for Biographies, Country Information, Dictionaries & Encyclopedias. (Access Instructions)

Naxos Music Library

Here you can find classical music & jazz – more than 1.5 million tracks of more than 100,000 CDs for streaming. (Access Instructions)

Onleihe

Here you will find mainly German e-books for children, teenagers and adults as well as over 100 e-paper and e-magazine titles. (Access Instructions)

Overdrive

Here you will find e-book new releases and e-book bestsellers in ​​English, Spanish, French and Russian. (Access Instructions)

TigerBooks for iOS/Android

Here you will find e-books and interactive “super books” for children between the ages of two and ten years. (Access Instructions)