Q & A
How do I register?
You can register either in person by presenting your ID card or another valid form of identification, or by using the online form at the top of our website. Even if you register online, you must still pick up your library card in person at the main branch by presenting your ID.
How much does it cost to use the Ratingen City Library?
1) Fees for adults
for 12 months: 21.00 euros
for 6 months: 10.50 euros
for 3 months: 8.40 euros
2) Reduced-rate fees
10.50 euros for 12 months
5.25 euros for 6 months
4.20 euros for 3 months
Eligible for the reduced rate are high school students, apprentices under the Vocational Training Act, high school and college students over the age of 18, and new residents within one year of moving to Ratingen
3) Partner cards for spouses or registered domestic partners, valid for 12 months
31.50 euros for 12 months
4) The following are exempt from paying an annual fee: 1. Children and adolescents 2. Recipients of ongoing benefits under SGB II or XII 3. Individuals/households whose income does not exceed the relevant needs under SGB II or XII by more than 10%, upon presentation of a corresponding certificate 4. Municipal institutions, provided that the use is for official purposes. 5. (until July 6, 2010) Individuals who present a valid Youth Leader Card (JuLeiCa). 6. Holders of the Volunteer Card, upon presentation of the corresponding ID.
5) Additional fee per loan for DVDs: 2.00 euros
6) Additional fee per loan for titles from the bestseller service: 2.50 euros
How long can I borrow the selected items?
The loan period for items is generally 28 calendar days, including board games, console games, and media packages. However, the loan period for CDs and Tonies, magazines, and titles from the bestseller service is 14 calendar days, and for feature films and documentaries on DVD, it is 7 calendar days.
What happens if I return my media items late?
Exceeding the loan period per item
Up to 7 calendar days: 1.00 Euro
Up to 14 calendar days: 2.00 Euro
Up to 21 calendar days: 3.00 Euro
22 calendar days or more: 4.00 Euro
For titles from the Bestseller Service, an increased fee of 1.50 Euro per copy (or 2.50 Euro for DVDs) will be charged at the start of each additional week after the loan period expires, plus shipping costs in each case
It is not possible to exceed the loan period for e-media. Once the loan period expires, these items are automatically no longer available.
Can I return my items outside of opening hours?
You can return your borrowed items at the outdoor return drop box at the main branch even outside of opening hours. You will need your library card to do so.
Can I place a hold on items?
Yes, you can place a hold on the items you want. There is a fee of 1.00 euro per item.
If the selected item is currently on loan, it cannot be renewed once the hold is successfully placed, ensuring that the held item will be available to the new borrower no later than when the loan period expires. Reserved items can then be picked up at the service desk. As soon as the item you requested is ready for pickup, you will receive a notification by mail or email.
Can I renew the loan period, and how?
The loan period for borrowed items can be renewed twice. Renewals made at our self-checkout kiosks on-site or online through your account are free of charge. Renewals requested by phone or email cost 1.00 euro per transaction. Once the item you’ve borrowed has been reserved by another patron, you can no longer renew it.
What happens if I can’t find my library card?
If your library card is lost or damaged, we can issue a replacement card for a fee of €2.50.
What can I do if I can’t find a resource I’m looking for in the library’s collection?
If the books, journal articles, or sheet music you’re looking for are not available in our collection, we can obtain them for you from another library. This service, known as “interlibrary loan,” is available to patrons with a valid library card.
Please note that delivery times may vary. You will generally receive the requested item within about two weeks, but delivery may take longer.
The service costs 3.00 EUR, payable when you pick up the item. Books are loaned to you according to the terms of the lending library, while journal articles remain in your possession.
You can also send us your interlibrary loan request by email to stadtbibliothek@ratingen.de. Please include your phone number in your email so that we can contact you if we have any questions.
How does Onleihe work?
Using the Onleihe app (the desktop version of “Medien-Laden”), you can easily read e-books and e-magazines. All you need is a valid library card and the password you received when you registered.
For more information, see the online brochure “Onleihe Made Easy.”
Can I set up reminders for when my loan periods are about to expire?
Yes, that’s possible.
When the loan periods for items borrowed from the City Library expire, late fees may apply if the items are not returned on time. We’re here to help you avoid these fees. Simply provide us with your email address and let us know that you’d like to receive reminders via email. Shortly before your loan periods expire, you’ll receive a message reminding you to return the borrowed items or renew your loan period if needed.
Note: Email reminders are an additional service feature. We cannot guarantee that you will receive a reminder email. Late fees incurred as a result of not receiving a reminder email (e.g., due to technical issues or a full email inbox) cannot be refunded.
Can I donate books to the library?
We are happy to add books to our collection that are no more than two years old and in like-new condition.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept books older than two years, magazines, music CDs, sheet music, or records.
Because we carefully review what is suitable for our collection—just as we do when purchasing new books—we cannot accept everything, even if the criteria mentioned above are met. For this reason, we always require that you agree to allow us to resell your donated book at our next book sale.
For large quantities—that is, more than 15 books—please contact us in advance at stadtbibliothek@ratingen.de