The following items are only provided for onsite use in the reading room:

• pre-1920 books
• large-sized books (folio)
• items that contain mainly illustrations
• unbound serials
• micro-materials.

The following materials can only be used at Haus Unter den Linden:

• large-sized volumes (marked by 2” or 2°) of the historical holdings,
• specific shelfmark groups: official journals, Bibl. Varnhagen, Bibl. Diez, Krieg, etc.
• parts of the Music Department holdings.

Volumes that require special protection can only be requested to the Rare Books Reading Room.

Such items are:

• Books published before 1850
• Items of historical holdings that are restricted for use „Nur für den Lesesaal unter Aufsicht“ (NfLSu.A.) = „Use limited to reading room under supervision“
• Books published later than 1850 containing high-quality illustrations (original graphics, engravings, lithographs, hand-coloured prints or other illustrations for which a special printing technique was used, etc.)
• Works that violate criminal law – in particular publications liable to corrupt the young / pornographic / inciting to hatred or National Socialist.

When such items are requested, only the issue desk of the Rara-Lesesaal (Rare Books Reading Room) is displayed.

Please observe the special conditions of use in the Rare Books Reading Room:
There it is necessary – in addition to a library card – to also present an identification document. Beverages are not allowed. If you want to consult your books in that reading room, please make a booking for the Rare Books Reading Room.