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University library
The space for questions.
Information at a glance
In the reference library, you can find everything you need for daily study needs — from specialist books to current specialist journals. The library offers a quiet and pleasant atmosphere in which concentrated research and learning can be carried out.
Opened
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
address
Gleueler Str. 262-268, 50935 Cologne
contact
Mr. Ansbert Schmitz - librarian
ansbert.schmitz@erzbistum-koeln.de
+49 (0) 176 60402079
ansbert.schmitz@erzbistum-koeln.de
+49 (0) 176 60402079
The library offerings
Reference library
The library at Cologne University of Catholic Theology is a reference library for students, lecturers and guests of the university. It was built up in 2022 from the holdings of the former library of the Cologne Seminary and is constantly being expanded.
Collections and subject areas: The library currently comprises around 6,000 books and collections of 12 journals. The collection covers all disciplines of theology, including religious studies and philosophy.
Usage and services: The library is purely a reference library. This means that books and magazines can only be used locally. Guests must register informally with the University Secretariat for use. There are several workstations available for working, which can be used with your own laptops. WiFi is available throughout the library area. There is also a multifunctional device for copying, printing and scanning (use by card).
Electronic resources: Access to electronic resources is provided by the Cologne Diocesan and Cathedral Library. KHKT students can register there to use e-resources.
The collections of the reference library can be searched and researched both via the online catalog of the reference library and the catalog of the Cologne Diocesan and Cathedral Library.
Cologne Diocesan and Cathedral Library
The Cologne Diocesan and Cathedral Library serves as the university library of the Cologne University of Catholic Theology. It is a scientific library with a focus on theology, religious studies, philosophy and Rhenish (church) history. It comprises books and other media, organizes them systematically and makes them available for research, teaching and study. Particularly in the area of Catholic theology, it is an important archive for scientific work.
The library has around 800,000 books, 1,400 journals, 10,100 e-journals, 38,700 online documents and 2,900 films. There are also valuable historical collections: 890 old manuscripts, 700 early prints (incunabula) and 43,500 books from the 16th to 18th century.
As a regional church library, it collects and preserves books and writings about the Archdiocese of Cologne and advises church institutions. It ensures that its historical holdings are well preserved and can be used for research. It also supports the Archdiocese of Cologne in procuring specialist literature.
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Helpful tools
There are two particularly helpful online tools available for seminar and research work in theology:
ixTheo — The search engine for theology and religious studies: ixTheo is a comprehensive research tool that helps to find scientific literature. Not only professional articles, but also books, databases and relevant websites can be researched here. Regardless of whether you are looking for a specific topic, author or keyword — ixTheo refers to suitable sources for possible term papers, presentations or research projects.
Regesta Imperii (RI) — Quick access to historical sources from the Middle Ages: The Regesta Imperii (RI) are a kind of “search engine for the Middle Ages.” Here you can find summaries of important documents, letters and reports from the Roman-German kings, emperors and popes from the period from around 751 to 1519. The RI helps to quickly find the appropriate sources and also shows where the original documents are kept.
Both tools can be used free of charge and facilitate access to important scientific sources.
Other libraries on theology
In addition to the two libraries mentioned above, other libraries in the surrounding area can also be used:
Library of the Anthropos Institute in St. Augustin: The library contains works in the fields of ethnology, linguistics, religious studies, folklore, prehistory and physical anthropology and comprises around 110,000 volumes, more or less complete volumes of 1,400 journals and subscriptions to currently 200 journals.
Library of the Steyler Missionary Institute in St. Augustin: This specialist library comprises almost 35,000 volumes and includes around 100 journals with a focus on missionary studies. Registration is required to use the library.
