Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin - Preußischer Kulturbesitz — Attraction in Berlin

This is truly a visually appealing library, with cinematic entrance and high ceilings. It is well-maintained overall, though smaller than expected given the building’s size.

Please note that visiting follows a structured, step-by-step process that unfolds progressively.

Lockers as first step. Limited in number and usually occupied by 10:00 AM. They only accept €1 or €2 coins. The cafeteria won’t give change directly, but you can pay for an espresso with a €5 note and receive coins in return. You are required to place your bag in the locker before entering the study area.

To access the study areas and the Wi-Fi, you need to register for the library card. This begins by scanning a QR code near the entrance. You are then told where to go next and, on your way to complete the process, you’ll interact with various polite staff members, each responsible for a part of the process.

Once completed, you receive a card with a number, which grants access to the Wi-Fi. In general, there are three available WiFi networks.

The default password for the WiFi of the library is your birthdate TTMMYYYY, better to change it upon connecting.

Remember that if you sit down to study, some desks and seats can be booked in advance by users who have already scanned and saved the barcode from that table on their phone. This means someone can book the spot remotely and, even if you have been using the table, ask you to leave once they arrive.

It does not matter if the spot has been left unused for hours. The system allows for this kind of placeholder logic.

A beautiful library, but clearly designed...

The service was confusing. I came all this way in the dead weather, only to be denied access to the ‘fancy designs’ I had hoped to see.

I arrived around 5pm and there weren’t many people. The front desk staff asked if I was a visitor and told me I’d need to return at 6pm. Why? You claim to be a free public library - if visitors are only allowed at specific times, why not make that clear publicly? A few other Asian visitors were also turned away after me. While waiting, I checked Google reviews and saw that the same thing had happened to other Asians. Does this ‘rule’ only apply to Asians? It felt a baffling way to manage a public space.

When I went downstairs to the exhibition which was supposed to remain open until 6pm, they said despite the posted opening time they’d need to close early due to technical reasons. Why including your closing time into the opening hours? Like if it needs 20min to close the exhibition, just say it opens until 5:40pm. I was also asked to store my bag - tho it was just a small rucksack with an umbrella inside. I rushed to the locker room, only to find out it required coins - which I didn’t have.

The whole experience was...

I was denied entry for no reason. I showed my library card and said I wanted to use their PC and an older woman that doesn't speak English just shouted something im German and I was told I couldn't enter. The younger woman speaks some English I asked her what was the reason. She grilled me with questions about what I was going to do, for jow long I want to use the PC and whatnot. Kind of weird to be treated with such hostility in a public library. The older woman kept asking me things in German. They get a lot of international visitors so that felt weird. Everyone at my local library speaks at least some basic English and they're super nice. At the end they said I have to leave my bag in the locker but I felt so unwelcome that I just left. Not worth the hassle for using a PC for a couple of hours. I went there on foot on my way to the Museum Island, where I was treated like a normal person despite not wearing my Sundays best and being blonde. I will stick to my local library now and leave Sundays for rest. It's not worth the hassle to walk 30min there to put up with...