Libraries in North Rhine-Westphalia

Imagine a place full of adventure, where your children can immerse themselves in magical worlds, program robots, and learn to read through play—all for free! Welcome to the library of today.  

The days when libraries were quiet halls for bookworms are long gone. In North Rhine-Westphalia, there are over 300 cities and towns with library locations that serve as places for learning, culture, and socializing for all generations—especially for families and children. They’re open to everyone and always worth a visit.

Today, libraries are much more than just long shelves full of books and documents. They offer a wide range of media. There’s a little boy sitting deep in the reading nook with a picture book. Children wearing headphones are intently tapping away on a tablet, composing their own pieces of music. Teens are exploring new gaming worlds in the gaming area. And fathers wearing bulky VR headsets are using “virtual reality” to discover museums all over the world. When was the last time you visited your local library? 

What families can expect there:

• In addition to a large selection of books, there are also digital media such as Tonies, Tiptoi pens, interactive tablets, and audiobooks
• family movies, CDs, magazines, and themed boxes for school projects
• Child-friendly activity areas with play rugs, reading nooks, beanbag chairs, and picture book walls
• Game rentals, robotics kits, theme kits, and everyday objects
• Parent-child activities such as craft sessions, picture book screenings, workshops, read-aloud events, or language cafés
• Vacation programs and creative hands-on activities, e.g., painting, programming, or exploration
• Free Wi-Fi access, research stations with internet access, and digital devices such as e-book readers and educational computers are available in many locations.
• Media education counseling for parents, for example on topics such as media use, screen time, the internet, or growing up in a multilingual environment
• Courses and workshops on new technologies and innovative forms of media invite curious people of all ages to learn and experiment together

The special bonus: Use is free or very affordable in most cities. This makes libraries a valuable experience, especially for families on a tight budget. 

Imagine taking your child to a place full of adventure, where imagination comes to life. Libraries offer exactly that—and so much more:

• Dive into new worlds: At the library, your children can travel to magical realms, meet dragons, explore outer space, or step into the shoes of their heroes and heroines.
• Libraries often offer exciting hands-on activities, storytime sessions, reading nights, or digital scavenger hunts that turn reading into an adventure. A rainy afternoon can quickly turn into an exciting experience.
• The earlier your child is exposed to stories, the more their sense of language, vocabulary, imagination, and expressive abilities are fostered—a valuable foundation for academic success.
• Your child learns along the way without even realizing it—simply through the playful approach and the joy of the stories.
• Browsing, reading, and playing together during a visit to the library creates a sense of closeness and unforgettable moments. This allows you to give your child your undivided attention and time, completely free of stress and high costs.
• Instead of constantly buying new books or expensive games, you’ll find a huge selection available to borrow for free at the library. This is easy on the household budget and environmentally friendly. At the same time, your child learns that sharing and reusing are both useful and sustainable.

Children are reading less and less these days, yet reading—as well as the use of certain media—is immensely important for their development and success in school. As parents, you can also support your children’s language development by reading aloud to them. Libraries in North Rhine-Westphalia offer the perfect environment for this, with plenty of playful and interactive activities.

• Just take your child to a library near you and see for yourself what there is to discover.
• Give your child their very own library card. This makes them feel proud and independent.
• Let your child essentially choose for themselves which library activities they’d like to participate in. This encourages their spirit of discovery and helps you find out what your child enjoys.
• Check your library’s website for events for children—most locations offer events for children and teens, such as reading nights, book clubs, reading bingo, book scavenger hunts, and many other creative activities that are also perfect for hosting a children’s birthday party.
• Plan a regular library day once a month—a highlight that all family members can look forward to.