Use and Visit
The archive and library are open to the public and can be used free of charge. The required literature can be borrowed or used in the reading room. Workstations and a free scanning facility are available in the reading room.
Last edited: 13. April 2026
Service and reading room
Documents and media are made available, borrowed and returned in the reading room.
Visitor address and opening hours
Emil-Abderhalden-Straße 36
06108 Halle (Saale)
1st floor
Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 - 16:00
Please note: The Leopoldina reading room will close on 13 May 2026 from 12.30 pm. It will remain closed on 25 and 26 June 2026.
The archive and library reading room offers bright, spacious workstations where you can use the archive and library collections together. It offers all the necessary research facilities, a selection of new acquisitions and current specialist journals as well as expert support from staff from the Archive and Library Department. In the building, common rooms enable collaboration and exchange with other researchers on site.
Archive materials and some of the library media are only available for reference use in the reading room.
Staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the collection and how to use it on site or by e-mail.
Ordering and use
Archive
Please let the archive know in advance which archive materials you would like to work with during your visit. Archive materials are made available in accordance with the user regulations and the relevant data, copyright and privacy protection regulations by prior appointment.
Library
Library media must be ordered in advance from the online catalogue. As the majority of the library's holdings are stored in external stacks, please allow approximately one week for items to be made available. As soon as an ordered item is ready for you, it will be assigned the status "Library of the Leopoldina" in your user account.
To be able to place orders in the online catalogue, please register as a user in the reading room during opening hours. You will need to present an official photo ID and, if applicable, proof of your registered address. The registration form is available for download on this page. You are welcome to email us the completed form together with your order requests before your first visit.
Further Information
Reproductions
A scanning device is available free of charge in the reading room for reproductions. In the case of library holdings, copyright and any restrictions imposed by the library (in particular for conservation reasons) must be observed. For reproductions from the archive holdings, prior contact with the archive is required.