Welcome to PBZ  

The PBZ, with 16 branches throughout the city, provides  public library service to the people of Zürich.

Joining

If you wish to borrow material, you have three options:

Normal annual (library) card
You can borrow up to 25 items at one time.
It is valid for one year and costs CHF 45.00

Restricted annual (library) card
You can borrow up to 2 items at one time.
It is valid for one year and costs CHF 30.00

Monthly (library) card
You can borrow up to 5 items at one time.
It is valid for one month and costs CHF 10.00

To join, please bring some form of ID (with name, address and photo) with you.

Children under 16 may borrow free of charge, provided a parent or guardian signs for them.

Borrowing

We have: Books, Magazines, Newspapers, CDs, DVDs, Videos, Cassettes, Large print books, Audio books, Maps, Language courses, English language books, Books in other foreign languages, etc.....

Most materials are loaned out for 4 weeks. If they are not reserved, you may renew them twice for 4 weeks each.
Videos and DVDs are loaned out only for 1 week, and may not be renewed.
Reserved items and some other categories may also not be renewed.

You may renew items personally during a visit to one of our branches, by telephone or via our website (my account).

Returning

When borrowing your items, you will receive a slip with the due date. Please return the items on time and to the branch from which you borrowed them.
You can also check your account via our web site.

Overdue

You will receive a reminder and a fine if you do not return items on time.

General

The library card is personal and not transferable. Please present it to the staff when you borrow material.
Please advise us if you change address or if your card is lost or stolen. You can also notify us via our website.

You are responsible for any item loaned out on your card. If it is lost or damaged, you must pay the cost of repairing or replacing it.

We can withdraw your borrowing privileges if you do not obey the library rules.