The library is opened from 8:30 a.m. till 5 p.m; during this time you can contact us directly. All employees of the Institute have access around-the-clock (this does not apply to interns and student assistants). External users are welcome to use the library during opening hours.

Please contact us if you have questions and comments or to give us feedback: (0341) 9940-117 or via

or here.

Your access control card is also your library card. Once you get it, we will initialize it so you can use it for loaning books.

The location code “EG” in the short title list indicates that a book is located in the library`s ground floor, wheres the code "UG" indicates the basement.

You can borrow books around-the-clock by using the self check terminal at the counter. Please click on the “Check Out” button on the touch screen. Now place your access control card on the small grey plane on the right hand side. Thereafter you can put up to 5 books on the larger plane in the middle of the counter. Please follow the instructions on the screen.
The loan period for books, tests and CD-ROMs/DVDs is 4 weeks. You can renew them up to an additional period of 8 weeks. A permanent loan is possible on enquiry. Journals cannot be borrowed, but copied.

The short title list in the catalog (OPAC) displays colored icons which indicate if a book is on shelf (green) or out on loan or has not yet delivered (red), respectively. In the “Holdings” display the column “Availability” informs if a book is on shelf or out on loan, with the due date in the next colums. You can reserve a book in the OPAC (the last ten digits of your access control card`s ID are set by default as login and password. We send you this ID via email, too. You can change your password in the OPAC).
To reserve a book, just click on the link "Request" in the book`s holdings page in our catalogue, and then the current borrower will not be able to renew it and will be asked to return it during the four-weeks loan period. We will inform you about the book`s return and put it out for you

Please log in to your user account (see above). After logging in you see your loans, your loaning history and hold requests in your user account. Click the number of “Loans” link to display the loans menu. There, you are can choose “Renew all”. Furthermore it is possible to renew your books on the self check terminal. Please just click on the “Account” button and place your access control card on the small grey plane on the right hand side. After this you can choose between “Renew all” or “Renew selection”.

Every book with a RFID-chip can be returned via the self check terminal. Please click on “Check In” and put up to 5 books on the larger plane in front of you. If the status message displays “Check in was successful” you can put the returned books in the box on the counter. For books without RFID-chips please use the return box.

Our book stock is arranged by our classification system. In the short title list as well as in each full record of our catalog (OPAC) there are shelfmarks. They consist of 2 parts: a class number and a consecutive number (e.g. 1100 128). On the sides of the shelves you will find labels listing the classification groups which are to be found in the shelves, respectively.
The OPAC contains print journals, too. If you are searching journals in the OPAC, it`s advisable to limit the search to publication type “journal” (in order to reduce result lists). Our journals are arranged in alphabetical order, starting with “A” in the back part of the library. The current issues are to be found in the periodical racks at the entrance area.

Please use the Electronic Journals Library (EZB) in order to search for e-journals, as it entails information on and fulltext access to all journals, wether they are licensed locally, consortially, nation-wide or are generally free (open access).

Please use our databases in order to search for articles. You`ll find an overview here. Please note: the OPAC does not contain articles.
When searching a database, you can access full texts directly from within our IP range (or when using the remote access, see below) by using the button. If there is no full text available, the SFX menu offers a range of other options (see below).
If you want to access the full text of an article whose bibliographic data you already know, please use the Electronic Journals Library (EZB) or the MPG Citation Linker.

By using document delivery services and interlibrary loan we supply you with any materials you need.
You can request articles directly from within a database: If there is no full text or locally stored printed material, the SFX/MPG menu offers a “Request this document via your local library” option. Please fill in your name and e-mail and we will process it directly.
Alternatively you can fill in this online form for articles or books request. Of course you are welcome to just send us (

) or tell us your requests.
Acquisition requests are much appreciated! Please fill in this suggestion form. You can also send an e-mail to Marion Schmidt

or the member of the library commission of your department:
Cognitive Neurology :

Neurophysics :

Neuropsychology :

Psychology :

Research Groups: Music Cognition and Action:

Yes! All members of staff (people having either contracts of employment or guest contracts) are able to access electronic resources (journal full texts, databases and e-books) via remote access, e.g. from at home or any other location. You have to call up the following URL on your browser: https://browser.cbs.mpg.de and then you will get a login window. Please login with the same user ID and password you are normally using for your computer and email account. The authentification process is based on a secure connection. After logging in, you see an overview page with all resources that are accessible remotely.

Just have a look at our Proxy FAQs or contact us if you have questions or problems.

You may scan articles by using one of the two copying machines in the library. Send the file to FTP-server or to your e-mail address. Upcoming you`ll find more information on scanning and copying settings on the poster above the copy devices and on the wiki.