How to get a library card at the National Library of Luxembourg
In this guide, we will tell you about the largest library in Luxembourg, the Bibliothèque nationale du Luxembourg, or BnL: who can become a member, how to get a library card offline and online and how to renew it, how to use the library without breaking the law, and how to behave when visiting the BnL.
The National Library of Luxembourg (BnL) is the largest library in the country. In 2023, the BnL celebrated its 225th anniversary. The library collects all publications published in Luxembourg and all publications published in other countries of the world that are in any way related to the Grand Duchy.
The Luxembourg National Library is located in the Kirchberg business district, not far from the city center. Anyone can enter the reading room - even without a library card - and borrow and read documents and books from the shelves. However, a valid library card is required to take full advantage of the BnL's services and collection, e.g. to take books home.
There are several ways to get to the library, and you can choose the one that is most convenient for you: by bike, by public transportation, or by car.
Cyclists can conveniently park their vehicles on the east side of the building in the open parking lot or on the west side in the covered parking lot. Also on the east side of the building is the vel'OH!
The Nationalbibliothéik tram stop is about 100 meters from the main entrance of the library.
The Labours and Albert Borschette stops are about 400 meters from the main entrance of the library.
You can access the underground garage from Rue Albert Borschette. The first 30 minutes are free and you do not need to insert your ticket in the machine. If you plan to stay longer, you will have to pay for parking.
To use the library, you must come during library hours. The Library's reading rooms and study areas vary in their hours of operation. However, the BnL is always closed on holidays and Sundays.
| Day | Working hours |
| Monday | From 14:00 to 20:00 |
| Tuesday - Friday | From 10:00 to 20:00 |
| Saturday | From 10:00 to 18:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |
The Reading Room and Media Center are closed on Sundays and holidays.
| Day | Working hours |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday - Friday | From 10:00 to 19:00 |
| Saturday | From 10:00 to 18:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |
The counters are closed Sunday, Monday and on holidays.
| Day | Working hours |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday - Friday | From 10:00 to 18:00 |
| Saturday | From 10:00 to 17:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |
The Rare books reading room is closed on Sundays, Mondays and holidays.
It is not difficult to get a BnL library card if you meet the minimum eligibility requirements:
If you meet these two requirements, you can get a free BnL library card. With the card, you can check out books, including books from the closed book depository on request, and access all of the library's online resources and digitized materials.
You can apply for a library card in person at the front desk during regular business hours.
- Go to the BnL
As a reminder, the National Library of Luxembourg is located at 37D Avenue John F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg. Remember to bring your passport (or other form of ID) and, just in case, proof of your home address, such as a utility bill, rental agreement, or other document that shows your local address. Also bring your residence permit, if you have one, as you'll need it to register (titre de sejour). If you are registering a child, you will need the child's titre de sejour to get a library card.
- Go to the front desk and ask for a form to join the library as a new reader
The library staff will give you a form to fill out. Provide accurate information, including last name, first name, date of birth, home address, and e-mail address.
- Give the completed application form and your ID to the staff member at the front desk
Documents will be reviewed and you may be asked to provide proof of your local address to make sure it matches your area of residence. If your address has changed, you must notify the library immediately.
- Learn the library's rules and policies regarding home and reading room borrowing
This can be done by visiting the special section of the library's website before or during checkout. Sign any documents regarding the responsible use of library materials and equipment..
- Wait until registration is complete and you have access to az.lu
Once submitted, library staff will process your request. This usually takes about 5-10 minutes and includes verifying the information provided and creating a library user account.
Just come with your passport, 5 minute registration. Books are scanned when you pick them up and returned through the machine. You can borrow for one month and renew twice.
Inside there are halls with press, music rooms, videos. The books are mostly in French, but there are also books in English and other languages.
You can get a library card at the BnL registration desk.
- When a new user registers, the library creates a unique login for him/her, which allows access to the search portal az.lu. This allows you to search the library catalog for the materials you need, request documents online, etc.
- When registering with the library, users also provide their email address, which will later receive an email with a proposal to reset the password.
A BnL library card can be loaded with any amount of money. If the user wishes to cancel his or her membership of the Bibliothèque Nationale de Luxembourg, the deposit can be refunded upon written request.
The library membership is valid for 2 years, after which it must be renewed, otherwise all the personal data of the user will be deleted in accordance with the security policy of the BNL.
If you've lost your card, you'll need to reactivate it. And unlike the initial registration, this is a paid service. You can get a new library card for 5 euros at the BnL desk.
A library card gives you access to the library's workspaces and allows you to use the book collection online and offline, in the reading room and at home. However, you must follow the BnL rules
Allowed
The BnL allows its readers to familiarize themselves with rare, unique, and valuable documents, so you may enjoy a snack or coffee in specially designated areas: the BnL Café and the Lobby.
Only clear water bottles with a maximum capacity of 500 ml may be brought into the reading room.
To enter the library and the reading room, you must leave your coat and bag in the special lockers. You may take your bag with you only if it is checked by the staff.
Any bulky items must be left in the lockers: bulky clothing, motorcycle helmets, umbrellas, suitcases, musical instruments, strollers, etc. An exception can only be made if all lockers are full.
Please note that after the library closes, all lockers will be opened and cleared. Items not claimed by their owners within two weeks will be handed over to the Grand Duchy Police, Lost and Found.
Library users have access to facilities such as the carrel, audio booths and the music room.
All of the above rooms must be booked through booker.bnl.lu. If necessary, the reservation can be cancelled.
Reservations are only possible under the following conditions:
- Minimum period - from 30 minutes per day;
- Maximum period - 2 hours per day;
- Can be booked for the current day and 7 days in advance;
- No more than 4 reservations per week;
- The user is obliged to take care of the room and the available equipment in the booked room.
The library has a 15 minute rule
If a room is reserved but a user arrives more than 15 minutes late, the BnL reserves the right to make the room available to other readers.
Users may check out up to 35 physical documents from the BnL at any one time.
The reader can extend the loan period for a maximum of 56 days for regular materials (or 28 days for short-term materials) through the az.lu website or directly at the library.
In the reading room it is possible to familiarize oneself with the materials presented there free of charge and without a library card. After reading the books, documents, etc., you should place them on one of the carts in the reading room. It is not necessary to return the materials to the shelves yourself.
The BnL reserves the right to terminate the membership and withdraw the library card of any visitor who violates the rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to register at the National Library of Luxembourg
Can I borrow book from the library
How to behave in a library in Luxembourg
When is the National Library of Luxembourg open
Source: bnl.public.lu, www.a-z.lu, guichet.public.lu, luxtoday.lu
We took photos from these sources: Ryunosuke Kikuno for Unsplash
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