Zentralbibliothek Zürich

The Zentralbibliothek Zürich is one of the most important libraries in Switzerland, uniting the city and university library of Zürich under one roof. It is located at Zähringerplatz 6, in the heart of Zürich, and is open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 20:00 and Saturdays from 09:00 to 17:00. The historic building, which opened in 1917, is currently being renovated to meet the requirements of today's users. Renovation work begins in mid-2026. The library offers access to a wide variety of media from different fields, including around eight million items and special collections such as manuscripts, early printed works, and maps. A central service of the library is its lending, which allows visitors to use both printed and digital media.

Another highlight of the Zentralbibliothek is the swisscovery platform, which enables comprehensive research and access to other libraries in Switzerland. Users can set up a personal swisscovery account to make use of various services, such as ordering documents from other libraries or accessing digital media. In addition, regular events, exhibitions, and training courses are on the program, of interest to both students and the general public.

The collection is significant not only for citizens and scholars, but also for tourists who wish to discover Zürich's cultural heritage. Thanks to barrier-free access and an extensive digital infrastructure, the library becomes an easily accessible place for all interested visitors. The Zentralbibliothek Zürich is thus a place of knowledge, culture, and encounter that offers both locals and visitors a wide range of opportunities to inform and educate themselves.