state library
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state library
A large, often national library that is financed and maintained by the state and provides a comprehensive collection of literature and other media for the public and for research.
Für meine Recherche musste ich ein seltenes Buch in der Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin ausleihen.
For my research, I had to borrow a rare book from the Berlin State Library.
The word is made up of 'Staat' (state), the linking -s, and 'Bibliothek' (library). So it is literally a library maintained by the state.
Die Staatsbibliothek ist ein wichtiger Ort für die Wissenschaft.
The state library is an important place for academic research.
To express movement, you use 'in die Staatsbibliothek' (to the state library; accusative). To describe a place where you are located, you say 'in der Staatsbibliothek' (in the state library; dative).
Ich gehe heute in die Staatsbibliothek, um für meine Prüfung zu lernen.
I’m going to the state library today to study for my exam.
Common activities in a state library are: 'recherchieren' (to research), 'Bücher ausleihen' (to borrow books) or 'bestellen' (to order/request them), 'einen Lesesaal benutzen' (to use a reading room), or 'Archive einsehen' (to consult archives).
In der Staatsbibliothek kann man historische Zeitungen recherchieren.
In the state library, you can research historical newspapers.
public library
„die Stadtbibliothek“ and „die Staatsbibliothek“ are both libraries, but they have different tasks and sizes. A „Stadtbibliothek“ belongs to a city or municipality and is meant for people in the local community. For example, you borrow books, films, or other media there. A „Staatsbibliothek“ is usually much larger and is run by the state. It often has an important collection for research and for the public. The words can be confused because the forms are similar: „Stadt-“ refers to the city, while „Staats-“ refers to the state.
Für ihre Forschung bestellt meine Kollegin ein altes Buch in der Staatsbibliothek.
For her research, my colleague orders an old book from the state library.
Am Samstag leiht sich Lisa in der Stadtbibliothek einen Roman aus.
On Saturday, Lisa borrows a novel from the public library.