IWM Library

From just a single bookshelf, the IWM Library has grown over the years into a collection of 40,000 volumes of books and periodicals in over 20 languages—predominately German, English, French, Czech, and Polish. The composition of the library’s collection reflects the broad fields of research at the Institute, past and present. Topics include philosophy, history, political science, anthropology, gender studies, and many more.

The collection guidelines are flexible, adapting and changing in response to research projects and their needs. Alongside key texts, collected works, and critical editions, the library also collects the publications of the Institute’s permanent fellows and former visiting fellows, with a particular focus on new translations published through our Paul Celan Fellowship.

The library’s holdings can be found in WorldCat or at the Institute via our local online catalogue. The IWM library is a public, non-lending, open-stack facility distributed throughout the Institute. 

Library Contact and User Guidelines 

Please consult the user guidelines below and contact the head of the library prior to your visit to arrange a time and date.

Library User Guidelines.