Berliner Str. 13/14, Cottbus
Berliner Str. 13/14, 03046 Cottbus, Germany
Cottbus City and Regional Library | Opening Hours & Onleihe
The Cottbus City and Regional Library is a place that goes far beyond the classic function of a lending library. Those looking for photos, reviews, opening hours, or digital offerings usually want to quickly know if the library fits their plans. This is exactly what this institution in the Cottbus LEARNING CENTER provides: It connects literature, learning, technology, regional identity, and culture in a building that sees itself as an open place for all generations. The official address is Berliner Str. 13/14 in 03046 Cottbus; the library can be reached by phone and email and presents itself as a modern meeting point for readers, learners, and the curious. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/))
The library is particularly strong where it combines practical orientation and substantive depth: in the Onleihe, in regional collections, in exhibitions, in children's and school offerings, and in barrier-free services. This mixture makes the institution relevant for people who are not only looking for a book but a reliable information and cultural center right in Cottbus. The following sections show why a visit is worthwhile, what topics shape the search intentions around the library, and what specific offerings are available on-site and online. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/onleihe-onleihesprechstunde.html))
Opening Hours, Address, and Visitor Services
Those wishing to visit the Cottbus City and Regional Library will find clear and reliable opening hours: the building is closed on Mondays, open from Tuesday to Thursday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Fridays from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. The address Berliner Str. 13/14 in 03046 Cottbus is centrally located in the city and is part of the learning center where the library and adult education center work together. For contact, telephone, fax, and email are available, and there is also a service telephone line for questions about lending, registration, and other concerns. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/))
Even in everyday life, it is evident that the building is designed for usability and quality of stay. According to the official offerings, visitors will find, among other things, a reading café with a hot beverage machine, lockers on the ground floor, cozy seating on all floors, Wi-Fi for working with personal devices, copying and printing options, and computer workstations. Additionally, there is a multimedia cabinet with 20 workstations and an interactive whiteboard for courses at the adult education center. For longer stays or focused work, this is an important signal: the library sees itself not only as a distribution point for media but as a usable educational space with infrastructure. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/nutzerservice/oeffnungszeiten-medien-angebote.html))
Barrier-free and family-friendly elements are also part of the visitor services. The elevator provides access to all floors, the access situation is explicitly described as barrier-free, and there is a disabled toilet on the 2nd floor. Additionally, reading glasses in various strengths, offerings in simple and easy language, and an Onleihe consultation hour are available to help with technical questions. This creates a visiting framework that caters to both spontaneous library users and regularly returning learners. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/nutzerservice/oeffnungszeiten-medien-angebote.html))
The LEARNING CENTER Cottbus: Library, Adult Education Center, and Building History
The current LEARNING CENTER Cottbus is the result of a long development closely linked to the city's history. The building at Berliner Straße 13/14 dates back to a commercial building of the Cottbus cloth makers and cloth wholesalers family Jaeger, whose construction was initiated between 1906 and 1912. The library describes the building's history as a journey from cloth to book, thereby referring to the special transformation of a representative urban building into an educational site. That this building is now a cultural meeting point is largely due to the city's decision to secure the building as a library location after its restitution in 1993 and to renovate it comprehensively. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/wir-ueber-uns/hausgeschichte.html?utm_source=openai))
A significant milestone was the year 2013: since March 22, 2013, the library and the adult education center have been united under one roof, and the city describes the ensemble as two institutions in one building over three floors with more than 3,000 square meters. The renovation brought a new service area, a multimedia cabinet, and modern computer, presentation, and audio technology. This is central to the positioning of the location, as it has transformed from a classic library into a multifunctional learning place that combines information, further education, and cultural use. ([cottbus.de](https://cottbus.de/bildung-und-sport/lernzentrum/?utm_source=openai))
The chronicle also shows that the Cottbus City Library celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. This anniversary mark clearly demonstrates how deeply rooted the institution is in the city and how consistently it has modernized itself over time. The historical development reflects not only a change in media but also a shift in tasks: from lending and collection maintenance to reading promotion, digital access, regional research, and event work. This combination is today a defining unique selling point. ([cottbus.de](https://www.cottbus.de/.files/storage/file/e4ff762b-1b27-4954-a6ff-f79ebca26dca/100Jahre_Bibliothek.pdf))
Onleihe, Filmfriend, Brockhaus, and VR Glasses
A particularly important search topic related to the library is digital use. With the Onleihe, the Cottbus City and Regional Library offers access to eBooks, eAudios, and eMagazines around the clock, free of charge, and also from home or on the go. This makes the library relevant for people who want to read, listen, or research independently of opening hours. To use it, a valid library card and a device with internet access are required; additionally, the library offers an Onleihe consultation hour where technical questions can be clarified in person. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/onleihe-onleihesprechstunde.html))
This digital offering is complemented by filmfriend, described as an ad-free streaming service with free use. According to the official site, about 3,500 films, short films, and series episodes are available, including German films, European and international arthouse cinema, film classics, documentaries, as well as children's films and series. So, for those looking for a cultural online offering, this provides a clear alternative to commercial platforms. In addition, the Brockhaus online offerings serve as reliable research companions for school, study, and work, including child-friendly offerings like Brockhaus Junior. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/filmfriend.html?utm_source=openai))
To convey knowledge and media competence, the library also relies on VR glasses. Four PICO-G3 standalone glasses can be tried out on-site; the pre-installed documentary series include titles such as Virtual Cottbus 1.1, Close-Up with Artists, and Old and Rare Crafts. The use is linked to regional studies and takes place on-site, not as a normal external loan. This expands the library's profile with an experimental approach to local cultural history and technology. So, for those looking for a library with more than just books, this offers a credible digital learning environment. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/vr-brillen.html?utm_source=openai))
Regional Studies, Artothek, and Exhibitions with Profile
Another central theme is regional studies. This area is aimed at those interested in regional history, students, researchers, and those looking for inspiration for leisure and vacation in Brandenburg. The collection comprises around 27,000 media, of which nearly 4,000 are freely accessible on the ground floor. The presence and archival collection is searchable in the catalog with around 23,000 media. This includes books, newspapers, magazines, local calendars, maps, DVDs, CDs, games, VR glasses, and a collection of articles with about 8,000 contributions from newspapers and magazines. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/regionalkunde.html))
Regionally, the focus of the studies is on Cottbus and the Spree-Neiße district, the Spreewald, Lusatia, and the state of Brandenburg. Additional focal points include regional authors, personalities such as Theodor Fontane, Carl Blechen, Ludwig Leichhardt, and Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau, as well as topics related to nature, landscape, and travel regions. Particularly important is the Sorbian-Wendish collection: the site refers to the Lower Sorbian Library as the Sorbian collection center for Cottbus and the region. This anchors the library in the cultural memory of Lusatia and makes it relevant for research and identity preservation alike. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/regionalkunde.html))
The regional orientation is also reflected in the exhibitions. The library explicitly sees itself as a place that shows exhibitions on all floors, with themed media to take away, with a permanent exhibition of about 150 loanable artworks from the Artothek on the 1st floor, and with the Small Gallery in the reading café, where changing exhibitions by amateur artists from the region take place. Additionally, there are regional events and a calendar of events and exhibitions. This creates a connection between reading, seeing, and local public life, which makes the library visible far beyond the classic media operation. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/ausstellungen.html))
Children's Library, Language Promotion, and Learning Café
For families, daycare centers, and schools, the children's library is a central anchor point. It is aimed at everyone up to 14 years old and connects favorite books, non-fiction media, homework help, and playful media experiences. The children's library also explains the organization of non-fiction books with knowledge areas and capital letters, which makes orientation easier for young users. So, those looking for offerings for children will find not only media here but a didactically structured environment that promotes reading, knowledge, and independence. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/kinderbibliothek.html))
Reading promotion includes several fixed formats that are age-appropriate. For three-year-olds, there are reading start stories with stories and crafts, for four to six-year-olds, 'With Emil through the Book Year', and for children aged six and older, 'Tuesday Stories' with picture book cinema and small painting afterwards. In addition, the library offers library tours, library rallies, reading events, and family offerings. The official pages also emphasize that certain events and tours are free of charge and that registrations should be made in a timely manner, which underscores the educational reliability of the offerings. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/kita-und-schule/sprach-und-lesefoerderung.html))
For adults, the learning character of the house is also clearly visible. The library offers literature for training, studies, applications, language learning, creative techniques, mental fitness, and relaxation. Additionally, there are barrier-free offerings in simple and easy language, the LEA reading club concept for people with reading difficulties, and the learning café, which takes place every Thursday and is a place for reading, writing, practicing, and talking. In this combination, it becomes clear that the library not only accompanies childhood but also practically enables lifelong learning. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/erwachsenenbildung.html))
Library of Things, Events, and Barrier-Free Offers
A modern search term that fits the library is the Library of Things. Here, everyday and leisure items such as slacklines, bubble machines, instant cameras, and other useful items are lent out. Lending is possible for library users aged six and older, and technical devices can be borrowed from the age of 16. Up to five items at a time are allowed, the loan period is 14 days, and an extension is possible once. This offering perfectly fits a library that practically makes sharing, trying out, and sustainable use possible. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/bibliothek-der-dinge.html))
The library is also a venue with a wide range of events. The calendar includes readings, reading competitions, exhibitions, encounters with authors, and formats with regional relevance. Examples include the Cottbus city decision in the nationwide reading competition, the Small Gallery in the reading café, or reading series with contemporary witnesses. The event topics show that the house not only holds media but also creates cultural public life. So, for those looking for a location for education, reading culture, and urban life, this is a place with a regular program and high recognizability. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/aktuelles/veranstaltungskalender/artikel-vorlesewettbewerb-2024-2025.html?utm_source=openai))
Additionally, there is a consistent focus on accessibility. The official user service mentions barrier-free access to the elevator, accessibility to all lending floors, a barrier-free toilet, reading glasses in various strengths, large print, and media in easy and simple language, as well as audiobooks in DAISY format. The website also indicates that the library is working on digital accessibility. Together with the open consultation hours, information desks on every floor, and low-threshold learning offerings, this creates a house that treats accessibility not as an addition but as part of its self-understanding. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/nutzerservice/oeffnungszeiten-medien-angebote.html))
Sources:
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Official Website
- City of Cottbus/Chóśebuz – Cottbus Learning Center
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Chronicle
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Onleihe
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Filmfriend
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Regional Studies
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Opening Hours, Media, Offers
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Cottbus City and Regional Library | Opening Hours & Onleihe
The Cottbus City and Regional Library is a place that goes far beyond the classic function of a lending library. Those looking for photos, reviews, opening hours, or digital offerings usually want to quickly know if the library fits their plans. This is exactly what this institution in the Cottbus LEARNING CENTER provides: It connects literature, learning, technology, regional identity, and culture in a building that sees itself as an open place for all generations. The official address is Berliner Str. 13/14 in 03046 Cottbus; the library can be reached by phone and email and presents itself as a modern meeting point for readers, learners, and the curious. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/))
The library is particularly strong where it combines practical orientation and substantive depth: in the Onleihe, in regional collections, in exhibitions, in children's and school offerings, and in barrier-free services. This mixture makes the institution relevant for people who are not only looking for a book but a reliable information and cultural center right in Cottbus. The following sections show why a visit is worthwhile, what topics shape the search intentions around the library, and what specific offerings are available on-site and online. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/onleihe-onleihesprechstunde.html))
Opening Hours, Address, and Visitor Services
Those wishing to visit the Cottbus City and Regional Library will find clear and reliable opening hours: the building is closed on Mondays, open from Tuesday to Thursday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Fridays from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. The address Berliner Str. 13/14 in 03046 Cottbus is centrally located in the city and is part of the learning center where the library and adult education center work together. For contact, telephone, fax, and email are available, and there is also a service telephone line for questions about lending, registration, and other concerns. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/))
Even in everyday life, it is evident that the building is designed for usability and quality of stay. According to the official offerings, visitors will find, among other things, a reading café with a hot beverage machine, lockers on the ground floor, cozy seating on all floors, Wi-Fi for working with personal devices, copying and printing options, and computer workstations. Additionally, there is a multimedia cabinet with 20 workstations and an interactive whiteboard for courses at the adult education center. For longer stays or focused work, this is an important signal: the library sees itself not only as a distribution point for media but as a usable educational space with infrastructure. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/nutzerservice/oeffnungszeiten-medien-angebote.html))
Barrier-free and family-friendly elements are also part of the visitor services. The elevator provides access to all floors, the access situation is explicitly described as barrier-free, and there is a disabled toilet on the 2nd floor. Additionally, reading glasses in various strengths, offerings in simple and easy language, and an Onleihe consultation hour are available to help with technical questions. This creates a visiting framework that caters to both spontaneous library users and regularly returning learners. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/nutzerservice/oeffnungszeiten-medien-angebote.html))
The LEARNING CENTER Cottbus: Library, Adult Education Center, and Building History
The current LEARNING CENTER Cottbus is the result of a long development closely linked to the city's history. The building at Berliner Straße 13/14 dates back to a commercial building of the Cottbus cloth makers and cloth wholesalers family Jaeger, whose construction was initiated between 1906 and 1912. The library describes the building's history as a journey from cloth to book, thereby referring to the special transformation of a representative urban building into an educational site. That this building is now a cultural meeting point is largely due to the city's decision to secure the building as a library location after its restitution in 1993 and to renovate it comprehensively. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/wir-ueber-uns/hausgeschichte.html?utm_source=openai))
A significant milestone was the year 2013: since March 22, 2013, the library and the adult education center have been united under one roof, and the city describes the ensemble as two institutions in one building over three floors with more than 3,000 square meters. The renovation brought a new service area, a multimedia cabinet, and modern computer, presentation, and audio technology. This is central to the positioning of the location, as it has transformed from a classic library into a multifunctional learning place that combines information, further education, and cultural use. ([cottbus.de](https://cottbus.de/bildung-und-sport/lernzentrum/?utm_source=openai))
The chronicle also shows that the Cottbus City Library celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. This anniversary mark clearly demonstrates how deeply rooted the institution is in the city and how consistently it has modernized itself over time. The historical development reflects not only a change in media but also a shift in tasks: from lending and collection maintenance to reading promotion, digital access, regional research, and event work. This combination is today a defining unique selling point. ([cottbus.de](https://www.cottbus.de/.files/storage/file/e4ff762b-1b27-4954-a6ff-f79ebca26dca/100Jahre_Bibliothek.pdf))
Onleihe, Filmfriend, Brockhaus, and VR Glasses
A particularly important search topic related to the library is digital use. With the Onleihe, the Cottbus City and Regional Library offers access to eBooks, eAudios, and eMagazines around the clock, free of charge, and also from home or on the go. This makes the library relevant for people who want to read, listen, or research independently of opening hours. To use it, a valid library card and a device with internet access are required; additionally, the library offers an Onleihe consultation hour where technical questions can be clarified in person. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/onleihe-onleihesprechstunde.html))
This digital offering is complemented by filmfriend, described as an ad-free streaming service with free use. According to the official site, about 3,500 films, short films, and series episodes are available, including German films, European and international arthouse cinema, film classics, documentaries, as well as children's films and series. So, for those looking for a cultural online offering, this provides a clear alternative to commercial platforms. In addition, the Brockhaus online offerings serve as reliable research companions for school, study, and work, including child-friendly offerings like Brockhaus Junior. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/filmfriend.html?utm_source=openai))
To convey knowledge and media competence, the library also relies on VR glasses. Four PICO-G3 standalone glasses can be tried out on-site; the pre-installed documentary series include titles such as Virtual Cottbus 1.1, Close-Up with Artists, and Old and Rare Crafts. The use is linked to regional studies and takes place on-site, not as a normal external loan. This expands the library's profile with an experimental approach to local cultural history and technology. So, for those looking for a library with more than just books, this offers a credible digital learning environment. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/vr-brillen.html?utm_source=openai))
Regional Studies, Artothek, and Exhibitions with Profile
Another central theme is regional studies. This area is aimed at those interested in regional history, students, researchers, and those looking for inspiration for leisure and vacation in Brandenburg. The collection comprises around 27,000 media, of which nearly 4,000 are freely accessible on the ground floor. The presence and archival collection is searchable in the catalog with around 23,000 media. This includes books, newspapers, magazines, local calendars, maps, DVDs, CDs, games, VR glasses, and a collection of articles with about 8,000 contributions from newspapers and magazines. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/regionalkunde.html))
Regionally, the focus of the studies is on Cottbus and the Spree-Neiße district, the Spreewald, Lusatia, and the state of Brandenburg. Additional focal points include regional authors, personalities such as Theodor Fontane, Carl Blechen, Ludwig Leichhardt, and Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau, as well as topics related to nature, landscape, and travel regions. Particularly important is the Sorbian-Wendish collection: the site refers to the Lower Sorbian Library as the Sorbian collection center for Cottbus and the region. This anchors the library in the cultural memory of Lusatia and makes it relevant for research and identity preservation alike. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/regionalkunde.html))
The regional orientation is also reflected in the exhibitions. The library explicitly sees itself as a place that shows exhibitions on all floors, with themed media to take away, with a permanent exhibition of about 150 loanable artworks from the Artothek on the 1st floor, and with the Small Gallery in the reading café, where changing exhibitions by amateur artists from the region take place. Additionally, there are regional events and a calendar of events and exhibitions. This creates a connection between reading, seeing, and local public life, which makes the library visible far beyond the classic media operation. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/ausstellungen.html))
Children's Library, Language Promotion, and Learning Café
For families, daycare centers, and schools, the children's library is a central anchor point. It is aimed at everyone up to 14 years old and connects favorite books, non-fiction media, homework help, and playful media experiences. The children's library also explains the organization of non-fiction books with knowledge areas and capital letters, which makes orientation easier for young users. So, those looking for offerings for children will find not only media here but a didactically structured environment that promotes reading, knowledge, and independence. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/kinderbibliothek.html))
Reading promotion includes several fixed formats that are age-appropriate. For three-year-olds, there are reading start stories with stories and crafts, for four to six-year-olds, 'With Emil through the Book Year', and for children aged six and older, 'Tuesday Stories' with picture book cinema and small painting afterwards. In addition, the library offers library tours, library rallies, reading events, and family offerings. The official pages also emphasize that certain events and tours are free of charge and that registrations should be made in a timely manner, which underscores the educational reliability of the offerings. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/kita-und-schule/sprach-und-lesefoerderung.html))
For adults, the learning character of the house is also clearly visible. The library offers literature for training, studies, applications, language learning, creative techniques, mental fitness, and relaxation. Additionally, there are barrier-free offerings in simple and easy language, the LEA reading club concept for people with reading difficulties, and the learning café, which takes place every Thursday and is a place for reading, writing, practicing, and talking. In this combination, it becomes clear that the library not only accompanies childhood but also practically enables lifelong learning. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/erwachsenenbildung.html))
Library of Things, Events, and Barrier-Free Offers
A modern search term that fits the library is the Library of Things. Here, everyday and leisure items such as slacklines, bubble machines, instant cameras, and other useful items are lent out. Lending is possible for library users aged six and older, and technical devices can be borrowed from the age of 16. Up to five items at a time are allowed, the loan period is 14 days, and an extension is possible once. This offering perfectly fits a library that practically makes sharing, trying out, and sustainable use possible. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/bibliothek-der-dinge.html))
The library is also a venue with a wide range of events. The calendar includes readings, reading competitions, exhibitions, encounters with authors, and formats with regional relevance. Examples include the Cottbus city decision in the nationwide reading competition, the Small Gallery in the reading café, or reading series with contemporary witnesses. The event topics show that the house not only holds media but also creates cultural public life. So, for those looking for a location for education, reading culture, and urban life, this is a place with a regular program and high recognizability. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/aktuelles/veranstaltungskalender/artikel-vorlesewettbewerb-2024-2025.html?utm_source=openai))
Additionally, there is a consistent focus on accessibility. The official user service mentions barrier-free access to the elevator, accessibility to all lending floors, a barrier-free toilet, reading glasses in various strengths, large print, and media in easy and simple language, as well as audiobooks in DAISY format. The website also indicates that the library is working on digital accessibility. Together with the open consultation hours, information desks on every floor, and low-threshold learning offerings, this creates a house that treats accessibility not as an addition but as part of its self-understanding. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/nutzerservice/oeffnungszeiten-medien-angebote.html))
Sources:
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Official Website
- City of Cottbus/Chóśebuz – Cottbus Learning Center
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Chronicle
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Onleihe
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Filmfriend
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Regional Studies
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Opening Hours, Media, Offers
Cottbus City and Regional Library | Opening Hours & Onleihe
The Cottbus City and Regional Library is a place that goes far beyond the classic function of a lending library. Those looking for photos, reviews, opening hours, or digital offerings usually want to quickly know if the library fits their plans. This is exactly what this institution in the Cottbus LEARNING CENTER provides: It connects literature, learning, technology, regional identity, and culture in a building that sees itself as an open place for all generations. The official address is Berliner Str. 13/14 in 03046 Cottbus; the library can be reached by phone and email and presents itself as a modern meeting point for readers, learners, and the curious. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/))
The library is particularly strong where it combines practical orientation and substantive depth: in the Onleihe, in regional collections, in exhibitions, in children's and school offerings, and in barrier-free services. This mixture makes the institution relevant for people who are not only looking for a book but a reliable information and cultural center right in Cottbus. The following sections show why a visit is worthwhile, what topics shape the search intentions around the library, and what specific offerings are available on-site and online. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/onleihe-onleihesprechstunde.html))
Opening Hours, Address, and Visitor Services
Those wishing to visit the Cottbus City and Regional Library will find clear and reliable opening hours: the building is closed on Mondays, open from Tuesday to Thursday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Fridays from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. The address Berliner Str. 13/14 in 03046 Cottbus is centrally located in the city and is part of the learning center where the library and adult education center work together. For contact, telephone, fax, and email are available, and there is also a service telephone line for questions about lending, registration, and other concerns. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/))
Even in everyday life, it is evident that the building is designed for usability and quality of stay. According to the official offerings, visitors will find, among other things, a reading café with a hot beverage machine, lockers on the ground floor, cozy seating on all floors, Wi-Fi for working with personal devices, copying and printing options, and computer workstations. Additionally, there is a multimedia cabinet with 20 workstations and an interactive whiteboard for courses at the adult education center. For longer stays or focused work, this is an important signal: the library sees itself not only as a distribution point for media but as a usable educational space with infrastructure. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/nutzerservice/oeffnungszeiten-medien-angebote.html))
Barrier-free and family-friendly elements are also part of the visitor services. The elevator provides access to all floors, the access situation is explicitly described as barrier-free, and there is a disabled toilet on the 2nd floor. Additionally, reading glasses in various strengths, offerings in simple and easy language, and an Onleihe consultation hour are available to help with technical questions. This creates a visiting framework that caters to both spontaneous library users and regularly returning learners. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/nutzerservice/oeffnungszeiten-medien-angebote.html))
The LEARNING CENTER Cottbus: Library, Adult Education Center, and Building History
The current LEARNING CENTER Cottbus is the result of a long development closely linked to the city's history. The building at Berliner Straße 13/14 dates back to a commercial building of the Cottbus cloth makers and cloth wholesalers family Jaeger, whose construction was initiated between 1906 and 1912. The library describes the building's history as a journey from cloth to book, thereby referring to the special transformation of a representative urban building into an educational site. That this building is now a cultural meeting point is largely due to the city's decision to secure the building as a library location after its restitution in 1993 and to renovate it comprehensively. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/wir-ueber-uns/hausgeschichte.html?utm_source=openai))
A significant milestone was the year 2013: since March 22, 2013, the library and the adult education center have been united under one roof, and the city describes the ensemble as two institutions in one building over three floors with more than 3,000 square meters. The renovation brought a new service area, a multimedia cabinet, and modern computer, presentation, and audio technology. This is central to the positioning of the location, as it has transformed from a classic library into a multifunctional learning place that combines information, further education, and cultural use. ([cottbus.de](https://cottbus.de/bildung-und-sport/lernzentrum/?utm_source=openai))
The chronicle also shows that the Cottbus City Library celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. This anniversary mark clearly demonstrates how deeply rooted the institution is in the city and how consistently it has modernized itself over time. The historical development reflects not only a change in media but also a shift in tasks: from lending and collection maintenance to reading promotion, digital access, regional research, and event work. This combination is today a defining unique selling point. ([cottbus.de](https://www.cottbus.de/.files/storage/file/e4ff762b-1b27-4954-a6ff-f79ebca26dca/100Jahre_Bibliothek.pdf))
Onleihe, Filmfriend, Brockhaus, and VR Glasses
A particularly important search topic related to the library is digital use. With the Onleihe, the Cottbus City and Regional Library offers access to eBooks, eAudios, and eMagazines around the clock, free of charge, and also from home or on the go. This makes the library relevant for people who want to read, listen, or research independently of opening hours. To use it, a valid library card and a device with internet access are required; additionally, the library offers an Onleihe consultation hour where technical questions can be clarified in person. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/onleihe-onleihesprechstunde.html))
This digital offering is complemented by filmfriend, described as an ad-free streaming service with free use. According to the official site, about 3,500 films, short films, and series episodes are available, including German films, European and international arthouse cinema, film classics, documentaries, as well as children's films and series. So, for those looking for a cultural online offering, this provides a clear alternative to commercial platforms. In addition, the Brockhaus online offerings serve as reliable research companions for school, study, and work, including child-friendly offerings like Brockhaus Junior. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/filmfriend.html?utm_source=openai))
To convey knowledge and media competence, the library also relies on VR glasses. Four PICO-G3 standalone glasses can be tried out on-site; the pre-installed documentary series include titles such as Virtual Cottbus 1.1, Close-Up with Artists, and Old and Rare Crafts. The use is linked to regional studies and takes place on-site, not as a normal external loan. This expands the library's profile with an experimental approach to local cultural history and technology. So, for those looking for a library with more than just books, this offers a credible digital learning environment. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/digitale-angebote/vr-brillen.html?utm_source=openai))
Regional Studies, Artothek, and Exhibitions with Profile
Another central theme is regional studies. This area is aimed at those interested in regional history, students, researchers, and those looking for inspiration for leisure and vacation in Brandenburg. The collection comprises around 27,000 media, of which nearly 4,000 are freely accessible on the ground floor. The presence and archival collection is searchable in the catalog with around 23,000 media. This includes books, newspapers, magazines, local calendars, maps, DVDs, CDs, games, VR glasses, and a collection of articles with about 8,000 contributions from newspapers and magazines. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/regionalkunde.html))
Regionally, the focus of the studies is on Cottbus and the Spree-Neiße district, the Spreewald, Lusatia, and the state of Brandenburg. Additional focal points include regional authors, personalities such as Theodor Fontane, Carl Blechen, Ludwig Leichhardt, and Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau, as well as topics related to nature, landscape, and travel regions. Particularly important is the Sorbian-Wendish collection: the site refers to the Lower Sorbian Library as the Sorbian collection center for Cottbus and the region. This anchors the library in the cultural memory of Lusatia and makes it relevant for research and identity preservation alike. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/regionalkunde.html))
The regional orientation is also reflected in the exhibitions. The library explicitly sees itself as a place that shows exhibitions on all floors, with themed media to take away, with a permanent exhibition of about 150 loanable artworks from the Artothek on the 1st floor, and with the Small Gallery in the reading café, where changing exhibitions by amateur artists from the region take place. Additionally, there are regional events and a calendar of events and exhibitions. This creates a connection between reading, seeing, and local public life, which makes the library visible far beyond the classic media operation. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/ausstellungen.html))
Children's Library, Language Promotion, and Learning Café
For families, daycare centers, and schools, the children's library is a central anchor point. It is aimed at everyone up to 14 years old and connects favorite books, non-fiction media, homework help, and playful media experiences. The children's library also explains the organization of non-fiction books with knowledge areas and capital letters, which makes orientation easier for young users. So, those looking for offerings for children will find not only media here but a didactically structured environment that promotes reading, knowledge, and independence. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/kinderbibliothek.html))
Reading promotion includes several fixed formats that are age-appropriate. For three-year-olds, there are reading start stories with stories and crafts, for four to six-year-olds, 'With Emil through the Book Year', and for children aged six and older, 'Tuesday Stories' with picture book cinema and small painting afterwards. In addition, the library offers library tours, library rallies, reading events, and family offerings. The official pages also emphasize that certain events and tours are free of charge and that registrations should be made in a timely manner, which underscores the educational reliability of the offerings. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/kita-und-schule/sprach-und-lesefoerderung.html))
For adults, the learning character of the house is also clearly visible. The library offers literature for training, studies, applications, language learning, creative techniques, mental fitness, and relaxation. Additionally, there are barrier-free offerings in simple and easy language, the LEA reading club concept for people with reading difficulties, and the learning café, which takes place every Thursday and is a place for reading, writing, practicing, and talking. In this combination, it becomes clear that the library not only accompanies childhood but also practically enables lifelong learning. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/erwachsenenbildung.html))
Library of Things, Events, and Barrier-Free Offers
A modern search term that fits the library is the Library of Things. Here, everyday and leisure items such as slacklines, bubble machines, instant cameras, and other useful items are lent out. Lending is possible for library users aged six and older, and technical devices can be borrowed from the age of 16. Up to five items at a time are allowed, the loan period is 14 days, and an extension is possible once. This offering perfectly fits a library that practically makes sharing, trying out, and sustainable use possible. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/bereiche-der-bibliothek/bibliothek-der-dinge.html))
The library is also a venue with a wide range of events. The calendar includes readings, reading competitions, exhibitions, encounters with authors, and formats with regional relevance. Examples include the Cottbus city decision in the nationwide reading competition, the Small Gallery in the reading café, or reading series with contemporary witnesses. The event topics show that the house not only holds media but also creates cultural public life. So, for those looking for a location for education, reading culture, and urban life, this is a place with a regular program and high recognizability. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/aktuelles/veranstaltungskalender/artikel-vorlesewettbewerb-2024-2025.html?utm_source=openai))
Additionally, there is a consistent focus on accessibility. The official user service mentions barrier-free access to the elevator, accessibility to all lending floors, a barrier-free toilet, reading glasses in various strengths, large print, and media in easy and simple language, as well as audiobooks in DAISY format. The website also indicates that the library is working on digital accessibility. Together with the open consultation hours, information desks on every floor, and low-threshold learning offerings, this creates a house that treats accessibility not as an addition but as part of its self-understanding. ([bibliothek-cottbus.de](https://www.bibliothek-cottbus.de/de/nutzerservice/oeffnungszeiten-medien-angebote.html))
Sources:
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Official Website
- City of Cottbus/Chóśebuz – Cottbus Learning Center
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Chronicle
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Onleihe
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Filmfriend
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Regional Studies
- Cottbus City and Regional Library – Opening Hours, Media, Offers
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviews
Sheeraz Tariq
16. April 2018
It's a good library and the staff is very friendly and cooperative, plus there's a really great collection of books.
Steffen Kochan
22. April 2022
Great selection of board games and comic books for young and old.
maher zarrouf
12. July 2022
The library has an intimate atmosphere and is very helpful.
Eva-Maria Gräber
25. October 2025
We were there for an event. It began with a story being read aloud, accompanied by pictures shown on a screen. Then we made a bookmark and colored a picture. The staff were very helpful with the crafting and provided support when we encountered difficulties.
Roland Rosenau
30. December 2025
It's a very good institution. The staff are always very friendly and extremely helpful. I feel very well cared for. I've been a reader here for over 50 years.