Collections Reading Room
Special Collections Reading Room
The Collections Reading Room is located in the Central Library on level -1, where manuscripts, music manuscripts, handwritten documents from the stenographic collection and all types of prints published up to 1850 are made available, including fragile, unsecured or particularly valuable media that were published later.
How can you place orders?
Manuscript materials and incunabula must be ordered at least two working days before the date of use in writing via our contact form or by telephone on 0351 4677-797 (manuscripts / rare prints) or 0351 4677-553 (music manuscripts) or by loan slip on site in the Collections Reading Room.
Prints published after 1500 can be researched and ordered in the SLUB catalogue. Materials that are available in digital form or as facsimiles are only made available for use in the original in justified exceptional cases.
When will you receive your orders?
Subject to their state of preservation, the requested manuscript materials and incunabula are available for five working days from the agreed date. Particularly valuable materials (e.g. medieval manuscripts) cannot be used on Saturdays.
The following availability times apply to printed works published between 1501 and 1850 (and after 1850 in the special cases mentioned above):
- Orders placed before 1 p.m.: available on the same day from 2 p.m. (except Saturdays)
- Orders placed after 1 p.m.: available on the next opening day from 10 a.m.
- Orders placed on Fridays after 1 p.m. and on Saturdays: delivery on Monday from 10 a.m.
What do you need?
A valid SLUB user card is required for use in the Collections Reading Room. For handwritten materials and incunabula, a reasoned application for use must also be completed on site.
What do you need to consider?
- Instruction sheet for the use of sources/special collections in the Collections reading room
- Before entering the reading room, coats and bags must be locked in the lockers in the entrance area on level 0.
- It is not permitted to bring in or consume food and drink.
- The use of ink pens, ballpoint pens and highlighters is prohibited.
- The foam pads provided are to be used to protect the inventory.
- Independent photography of manuscripts and prints that are not yet available digitally is possible in extracts for study purposes with prior permission and under supervision. Higher-quality reproductions by the Dresden Digitisation Centre or the Deutsche Fotothek can be ordered directly in the reading room.