Access Conditions for Literature That Needs Special Protection

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

  • pre-1912 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.