Manuscripts and Early Printed Books

Manuscript Reading Room

Please note that it is essential to register for your visit at the manuscript reading room:

hhd@sbb.spk-berlin.de

Please order the items you need four opening days (Mon-Fri) in advance, if possible.

2-3 weeks in advance are required for the use of materials from the publisher’s archives.

Bequest libraries (such as the Gerhart Hauptmann Library) have a special location. Please ask us: hhd@sbb.spk-berlin.de

The items will be available to you 4 days after you place your order.

 

For a number of particularly valuable objects worthy of protection, a restoration examination may be necessary before use. For this reason, you should find out in advance about the accessibility of the individual objects and, to be on the safe side, schedule a pre-order period of at least one week.

Furthermore, due to conservational reasons a small number of our objects are generally not available for use in the reading room. In these cases, we endeavour to provide the best possible reproductions.

Please note:

In order to use the holdings of the Manuscript Department, it is absolutely necessary to present an official personal document (passport or identity card) in connection with your valid library card.