Bochum City Library

Media, knowledge, encounters

The Bochum City Library is a modern place of learning and experience for all generations. It combines traditional library services with digital services and diverse educational formats.

Offers of the public library

• Diverse media world: Books, magazines, audio books, films, console games, Tonies and sheet music - for all ages and interests.

• Digital offerings: Access to OnleiheRuhr, Munzinger databases, PressReader, Duden Basiswissen Schule and the Brockhaus encyclopedia - conveniently from home.

• Learning & researching: WLAN, Internet PCs, eBook readers to borrow and digital reference books support learning.

For educational institutions: ID card & media delivery service
Bochum schools and social institutions can apply for a free institutional library card. This allows all media to be borrowed for official use; private use is excluded.

Important to know:

• Costs: No fees for passes, reservations or late arrivals.

• Loan periods: 4 weeks as standard, can be extended up to twice. Individual periods (e.g. for project weeks) are possible.

• Loss/damage: The institution is liable and must provide compensation.

• Validity: Only for facilities in the city of Bochum.

• Information and application forms are available on the city library website.

BüchereiKurier - The free media delivery service

BüchereiKurier supplies Bochum's educational and social institutions such as daycare centers, schools and nursing homes with media boxes free of charge.

This is how it works:

• Prerequisite: Valid institutional ID card

• Delivery: Media are delivered and collected again on request

• Selection: Ready-made theme boxes (e.g. Kamishibai, robots, class sets) or individual compilations as required

• An overview of the boxes can be found in the Online catalog available.

Cooperation with schools - examples from practice

For Grundschulen
The public library offers guided tours specially tailored to primary school children:

• ABC tour (1st grade): Experience stories, discover the library, first reading book as a gift.

• Reading non-fiction texts (3rd/4th grade): Finding errors in factual texts - playful and educational.

• Library rally with tablets (3rd/4th grade): Orientation in the library with the Biparcours app.

• Fake Hunter junior (4th grade): Strengthening media skills through critical analysis of news.

• OGS offers: Individually plannable events for the open all-day program.

• Details can be found on the information page for the Offers for Grundschulen available.

For secondary schools
A differentiated program is also offered for older pupils:

• Library tour with biparcours (grades 5-8): Playful introduction to the library.

• Research training (from grade 7): Effective information search and source evaluation.

• Recognize fake news (grades 8-10): Critical use of digital information.

• Dissertation coaching (from grade 10): Support with literature research and source work.

• Further information can be found on the information page on the Offers for secondary schools available.