Library
The Werner Schmalenbach Library
Tel +49 (0)211 8381-138/137
Fax +49 (0)211 8381-202
bibliothek@kunstsammlung.de
Tue and Wed: 11 am – 5.30 pm
Thu and Fri: 11 am – 4.30 pm

The publicly accessible library of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen is a research facility specializing in the art of the 20th and 21st centuries. The inventory of 135.000 volumes encompasses monographs, exhibition, inventory, raisonné catalogues, museum and gallery publications, reference works, professional reviews and audiovisual media. One focus of the collection is on current exhibition catalogues from both Germany and abroad.
In summer 2010, the library was named after Werner Schmalenbach, a longtime director of the Kunstsammlung. The library’s wide-ranging core inventory can be traced back to his commitment and expertise. The library’s recent expansion and the raising of its acquisitions budget was made possible by Gesellschaft der Freunde (Society of Friends) of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen.
The Werner Schmalenbach Library is a reference library and is accessible to users without advanced registration. It is a cooperation partner of the Düsseldorf libraries. You can find the online catalog of the Düsseldorf libraries here.
Opening Hours
Tuesday and Wednesday | 11 am – 5.30 pm |
Thursday and Friday | 11 am – 4.30 pm |
Access to the library: via the foyer
The library is located in the administration wing on the 1st floor in K20. No museum admission is required to visit the library.
Collection and usage
The library’s inventory is stored in mobile shelving systems. For security reasons and because of our special cataloging system, the inventory is not directly accessible to external users.
The desired literature will be brought to your table by library personnel. Selections are made via the online catalog or the card catalog. Our staff will gladly assist you in locating titles. A photocopier is available to library users, please be aware that fragile or rare publications cannot be photocopied.
Of necessity, priority is accorded to internal loans: we appreciate your patience and understanding.
Our library inventory is for the most part incorporated into the OPAC system. Accessible to you via this online catalog is a digitalized inventory (acquisitions since 1996) referencing circa 45.000 titles.
Cooperation partner „Düsseldorfer Bibliotheken“
The OPAC of the libraries in Düsseldorf offers extended search possibilities: both the inventory of all participating libraries as well as each institution can be accessed via the OPAC.
Appointment