The Rotterdam Library holds a great number of books, magazines and other items for lending out or study.
The Rotterdam Library possesses a total of 1.3 million books and has over 3,000 Dutch and foreign subscriptions to magazines and newspapers.
In addition to English, French and German titles the Rotterdam Library also offers books in languages used by the various population groups living in Rotterdam.
Central Library
The Central Library holds a large and varied collection. In addition to books, videos, DVDs and CD-ROMs there are many encyclopaedias and other large reference works. We also have microfiches containing old newspaper texts and Chamber records for inspection or print.
You can borrow all items in the possession of the Rotterdam Central Library – with the exception of magazines, microfiches, reference works, collections in deposit (“Rotterdam”, children’s books and comics) and ancient, valuable works.
Branches
Our branches have smaller collections, all in line with the area they cover. However, all items can be ordered at any branch free of charge. You can also borrow magazines at the various district branches of the Rotterdam Library.
Ordering items that are not part of the Rotterdam Library
Books and other items that are not in the possession of the Rotterdam Library can be ordered from other libraries on payment. For this purpose members can hand in an application form at the information desk of each branches.
Searching in the Rotterdam Library collection
You can use the search box at the top of this website, filling in (title) words and names to search for books and other items. With this catalogue, the Aqubrowser Library, you can search the Rotterdam Library collection and national collections.
Digital information
The Rotterdam Library increasingly offers forms of digital information like CD-ROMs, internet sites and articles in digital newspapers and magazines. You can view a large part of this information at home for free. For copyright reasons a number of CD's and websites can only be viewed in our branches.
Purchasing suggestions
It could happen that you cannot find a certain book title, or books about a certain subject or other items (magazine, video, DVD, CD-ROM, link) in our library collection. In this case the Rotterdam Library would be pleased to hear from you. You can use our
Contact Form to suggest a purchase.
Borrowing CDs
The Central Discotheque of Rotterdam is located inside the Central Library. With over 300,000 music CDs, about 5,000 music DVDs and 300,000 LPs it is Europe’s largest music collection. Members of the Rotterdam Library can subscribe to the Central Discotheque for free, showing their borrower’s pass.