Neuss City Library (Stadtbibliothek Neuss)
The Neuss City Library is a public space, and a membership card is not required to enter or browse the collection. However, a valid membership card is required to check out items and access digital offerings.
Registration & Membership (Anmeldung)
You can register in one of two ways:
- In Person (On-Site): Visit the library during service hours and bring a valid ID card (Personalausweis) or passport along with a certificate of residence registration (deutsche Meldebescheinigung). You will sign a registration form to accept the lending conditions and receive your physical library card.
- Online: Register via the website for immediate access to all digital services (Onleihe, etc.). To obtain your physical library card for on-site borrowing, present your ID/passport and German certificate of residence registration to library staff during service hours.
Children & Teenagers (Under 18)
- In Person: Requires an application form (Beitrittserklärung) signed by a legal guardian, plus the guardian’s ID card or passport and German certificate of residence registration (Meldebescheinigung).
- Online: Gives immediate digital access. The physical card can be picked up during service hours by presenting the guardian’s ID or passport, residence registration (Meldebescheinigung), and signed application form.
Membership Fees & Rates
- Children, Teenagers, and Young Adults: Free until reaching their 21st birthday.
- Adults (21+): 27 € per year.
- Neuss-Pass Holders: 19 € per year (8 € discount on the adult rate). Students do not receive a discount.
- Couple / Household Rate: 45 € per year for two adults living in the same household.
Membership Duration & Renewal
Membership is valid for 12 months and expires automatically (no cancellation needed). The annual fee is only charged again when you borrow, extend, or place a hold on an item after expiration. You will receive an email reminder before your membership expires.
Library Card Regulations
- Non-Transferable: Your card is strictly personal and cannot be shared or transferred to others (including family members).
- Lost Cards: Report a lost card immediately (in person, by phone, or by email) to block it against unauthorized use.
- Unblocking / Replacement Card: To unblock a card or receive a replacement, visit in person with a valid ID/passport and German residence registration. The replacement card fee is 10 €.
- Change of Details: Please inform the library immediately of any change to your name or address.
Borrowing
- Cost: Borrowing media is free of charge (including items from the LeihBar / Library of Things).
- Limit: Maximum of 50 items checked out at one time.
- Process: Use the self-checkout terminals (Ausleihe) located on all floors using your library card. Alternatively, you can check out items without a library card by inputting the card number and password into the terminal. Check individual item packaging, as certain items may need to be checked out at the service desk on the ground floor.
- Receipts: You can print a physical checkout receipt or have it emailed to a valid email address. (Receipts are optional and not required as proof).
Returns
- Internal Return Machines: Two machines are available inside the building on the ground floor. No library card is required; insert items one by one.
- 24/7 Outdoor Return Machine: Located outside for returns outside opening hours. Your library card is required to use the external machine.
- Desk Returns: Certain items may need to be returned at the service desk on the ground floor depending on packaging instructions.
Loan Periods & Renewals
- Loan Periods:
- 28 Days: Books, audiobooks, Tonies, board/card games, theme kits (Themenkoffer), documentaries, educational/info programs
- 14 Days: Video games, magazines, TV series, items from the LeihBar – Library of Things
- 7 Days: Feature films / movies, music CDs
- Renewals: Items can be renewed, provided no one else has reserved them. The total loan period for each item is limited to a maximum of three loan periods. Renewals can be made online via „Mein Konto“, at self-checkout machines, at the service desk, by phone, or by email.
- Reminders: You will receive an automated email 1 day before items are due, and a follow-up reminder if they become overdue.
Late Fees (Fines)
If items are returned late, the following fees apply per item (there is no grace period):
- 1st to 7th day overdue: 1.50 € per item
- 8th to 14th day overdue: 3.20 € per item
- 15th day overdue and beyond: 6.00 € per item
- Damaged / Stained / Lost Items: You are responsible for items on your account. Damaged or lost items incur a charge equivalent to replacement/internal processing costs.
Orders, Holds & Interlibrary Loans
- Ordering Available Items: You can request available items to be retrieved and held for you via the catalog for 2.00 € per item.
- Placing Holds (Reservations): If an item is currently checked out, you can reserve it online via the catalog or through staff (by phone/email) for 2.00 €. You will be notified by email (free) or post (1.50 € postage fee) when it arrives, and it will be held for 7 days.
- Interlibrary Loan (Fernleihe): Non-fiction books not available in Neuss can be ordered from other German libraries via the digibib online platform for 2.00 € per order.
Finding Media & Collections
- Catalog Terminals: Accessible via computer stations on each floor, as well as remotely online.
- Organization: Non-fiction is organized by subject area; narrative fiction is arranged alphabetically by author; children’s books are sorted by age and topic.
- Foreign Language Collection (2nd Floor): Features English fiction for adults and children, as well as books in Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, and other languages.
- German Learning: Resources for learning German (Deutsch als Fremdsprache) are located on the 2nd floor in the „Deutschland verstehen“ section.
- Wish Box (Wunschbuch): You can suggest new books/media for purchase online or via the wish box near the ground-floor stairs. Suggested items on order are displayed on the Wunschbuch shelf.
Digital Offerings
- The library offers you a range of digital media (E-books, electronic journals, movies, music, interactive children’s books, and reference works). Access Onleihe and other digital services remotely via the website with a valid library card.
Computers, Printing & Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi throughout the entire building.
- Computers (1st Floor): Free to use for study and work purposes (gaming is strictly prohibited).
- Printing & Copying (1st Floor): Printers and scanners are available. You must bring your own paper or purchase paper at the ground-floor terminal. A copy machine is also available for a fee.
Payment
- Paying Fees: Outstanding fees can be paid online („Mein Konto“) via PayPal/SEPA direct debit, or in person at the cash terminal using cash or card. Please settle fees within 14 days.
House Rules
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- No smoking
- No consumption of alcohol
- No greasy or strong-smelling foods
- Avoid any behavior that disturbs other patrons
- Respect the authority of library staff
- The library accepts no liability for lost or stolen personal belongings
- Violations of house rules may result in exclusion from the library
Events and Library Tours
Regular monthly events are hosted for children and adults; details are listed on the website calendar.
The library also offers library tours in easy German for people learning the language. The staff explains how the library works and which services are of particular interest to the respective target group.
Questions? Please contact us at:
Address: Stadtbibliothek Neuss, Neumarkt 10, 41460 Neuss
Phone: 02131 – 90 42 42
E-Mail: bibliothek@stadt.neuss.de