Many holdings of the Main Library are kept in closed stacks. This means that, with the exception of frequently used reference works, the majority of the holdings are are not on the open shelves in the reading rooms. Therefore, you have to request books to be able to use them.
Books of normal size (shelf marks A, I, II) that are not older than 100 years can be borrowed for use at home. You need a library card to borrow books.
Oversize books (shelf marks III, IV, V) as well as books that are older than 100 years can be used in the reading room for old books (Lesesaal Altes Buch).
If you would like to view a large number of volumes with the same shelf mark (e.g. newspapers) directly in the stacks, you can apply for a permission to enter the closed stacks by arrangement.
