How to get a library card at the National Library of Luxembourg

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.

Bike

Tram

Bus

Car

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.

It is not difficult to get a BnL library card if you meet the minimum eligibility requirements:

Age

Only readers who are 14 years of age or older will be admitted

Regiom

Only for residents of Luxembourg and neighboring regions

You can apply for a library card in person at the front desk during regular business hours.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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..

5. 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.

A review by our reader Kitty C in the Luxtoday chat room

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.

There are two ways to renew your library card

Online

In a few clicks on MyGuichet

Offline

At the counter of the BnL

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

Prohibited

Enter areas closed to the public

Bring pets into the library

Bring in skates, bicycles, skateboards, and other equipment

Disturb the quiet by talking loudly on the phone

Sneaking in and consuming food and drink

Use obscenities, profanity, or foul language

Being under the influence of alcohol

Disturb others by failing to maintain personal hygiene

Bring bulky or unwieldy items into the arena

Use carrel booths alone

Take red marked books home

Mark, tear, or crease pages

Allowed

Eating and drinking in special areas

Use special lockers

Listening to audio books, working in groups and playing the piano

Borrowing books and studying in the reading room