The Munich City LibraryA space for everyone

The library and the Gasteig
With around two million books and other library items, and as the host of numerous events, the City Library is a real crowd puller in Munich. Its headquarters have been located in the Gasteig ever since it opened its doors in 1985. Its relevance in society as a democratic institution is reflected in its events programme, which includes international film series in the original languages as well as exhibitions, language cafés, workshops and much more.
Due to the renovation of the arts centre in Rosenheimer Straße, the Munich City Library has opened two new locations, in the Gasteig HP8 and in the Gasteig Motorama. Both branches operate as open libraries, meaning they are open to the public every day, including outside service hours. From 7 AM to 11 PM, people can come here to meet and study, read, work and chat or browse the library’s stock.
City Library in HP8
The City Library is located in Hall E, the listed industrial building of the Gasteig HP8. and this branch focuses on music, language and lifelong learning. Categories like Entertainment, Suspense, Music, Munich, Learning and Knowledge, and Life and Creativity provide a new and intuitive point of access to the library’s stock.
Music enthusiasts can practice on electric pianos or embark on an acoustic journey in a sonic chair, while the MusikLab gives musicians the opportunity record themselves. Visitors to the GAiA Deli & News reading café can peruse newspapers and magazines while enjoying their coffee. The Projektor event room is located on the ground floor of Hall E and shows international film series and children’s films.
“In Hall E, you’ll find the Munich City Library in a new guise. Visitors will find many places to linger in its open galleries, . There are workplaces with 150 sockets for laptops, while the more relaxation-inclined can find a comfortable armchair and enjoy the wide range of current novels available in many languages. As well as books, the library also stocks audio books, films, graphic novels, and comics.”
Open library: Monday to Sunday 7 AM to 11 PM
Service hours (personal consultation on site): Monday to Friday 10 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM; not on Sundays and public holidays. There will be no service from December 24 to 26 and from December 31 to January 1 2023
City Library in the Motorama
A branch of the City Library was opened in November 2021 in the Gasteig Motorama. Here, in the shopping centre opposite our arts centre in Haidhausen, the focus is on family, gaming and digital learning. With a floor area of about 3600 m², the library has something for everyone. Categories like Entertainment, Suspense, Fantastic Worlds, Learning/Knowledge, Life and Creativity offer an intuitive of access to the library’s stock. There is also plenty of space for events and participatory activities as well as workplaces and PCs. A favourite is the GameLab, where newbies and old hands alike can compete on game consoles. You can also experience robotics and virtual reality here. The Europa Informationszentrum München, which provides personal advice and information on all aspects of the European Union, also has a branch in the Motorama.
Open Library: Monday to Saturday 7 AM to 10 PM
Service hours (personal consultation on site): Monday to Friday 10 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM; not on Sundays and public holidays.
From 24.-26.12 and 31.12.-1.1.23 regularly open as Open Library, on these days no service staff is available.