Please note: Despite being labeled “Präsenzbestand” in the catalog our books are lendable!

To borrow materials students may use their Library Card from the USB, readers from different universities and private citizens also need a Library Card from the USB.

• Up to ten books at a time can be borrowed for two weeks. They can be renewed at the information desk. Books that were ordered by another reader cannot be renewed. Books checked out by another reader can be reserved.
• Journals, "Sonderdrucke", and sources can be used in the Reading Room only.
• Please contact the librarian for Microfilms, CD-Roms, and DVDs.
• Please contact the librarian for borrowing books marked "AGuF".
• Please contact the librarian for materials marked "Schrank".

Please contact the librarian or student assistants if you have any questions.

To renew borrowed books please contact us one day before the lending period ends. You can call the library at +49 221/470-3023, send an Email to histinst-bibnagihila(at)uni-koeln.de, or come in.

When a book is on loan you can request it by sending an email to histinst-bibnagihila(at)uni-koeln.de. Once a reservation has been placed on an item it will no longer be renewed.
You will receive an email when the book has been returned.

Our library from A to Z

Gern beantworten wir Ihre Fragen vor Ort , telefonisch, per E-Mail oder füllen Sie dieses Formular aus.

Bibliothekarin:
Katharina Kloock
Montag bis Donnerstag, 9 bis 17 Uhr
Telefon: 0221 470-3020 | E-Mail: KKloock(at)Uni-Koeln.de

Bibliotheksaufsicht:
Telefon: 0221 470-3023 | E-Mail: HistInst-BibNagIhila(at)uni-koeln.de

Die Bibliothek von A bis Z

The Reading Room offers 40 desks and 3 desktop computers for research. The desks have electrical outlets for laptop computers.
The materials may be used in the Reading Room without borrowing privileges.
You can scan material at our work stations. A Xerox machine is located in the foyer of the Philosophikum. You need to buy a copy card.
A microfiche/microfilm reader is available. Please ask the librarian for help.

The books in the library are classified using the Dewey Decimal System. This system uses numbers from 000 to 999 to classify books by subject. Further specification, if needed, is given by the addition of numbers after a decimal point. 

Here is a list of the main classes. 

Here is a list of the classes, divisions and sections most used in our library.

Library use and regulation

The collection concentrates on American history with a special emphasis on the following areas:

• Social history
• Immigration and ethnic minorities
• Transnational networks in the Atlantic and Pacific worlds

• 68.000 books
• 85 journals and newspapers
• CD-Roms
• Maps
• DVDs
• Collection on microfilm, including for example General records of the Department of State, COINTELPRO, Despatches from U.S. ministers, Slaves narratives etc. A list can be viewed here.

The library owns a number of microfilms and microfiches. Examples are: General records of the Department of State, COINTELPRO, Despatches from U.S. ministers, Papers of American presidents, Slaves narratives etc. Please contact the librarian for the use of a reading machine.

You will find the handout for the microfilm / microfiche workshop here.