City Library - Main Office | Opening Hours & Catalog

The City Library - Main Office corresponds to the Dachau City Library – Main Branch at Max-Mannheimer-Platz 3 in 85221 Dachau. It is centrally located in the old town area and is therefore easily accessible from all directions. For visitors, the library offers a wide mix of classic on-site lending and comfortable digital offerings: A media collection of around 70,000 physical titles is supplemented by approximately 20,000 non-book media. With a valid library card, you can also use the Onleihe LEO-SUED, as well as the film portal filmfriend and the research service RiffReporter. On-site, the main branch scores with short distances, a friendly team, and a return machine that allows returns around the clock – ideal when everyday life takes longer. These strengths, along with regular events for children, teenagers, and adults, as well as a well-connected public transport infrastructure throughout the city, make the main branch a vibrant meeting place for reading pleasure, thirst for knowledge, and culture in Dachau.

Opening Hours Today and Contact: Plan Your Visit

Those preparing for their library visit primarily want to know one thing: When is the main branch open, and how quickly can I reach the team? According to city publications, the Dachau City Library – Main Branch is generally open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursdays from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. The opening hours may change on public holidays, during school vacations, or for special occasions (e.g., events, internal training). The city continuously communicates such changes on its official pages, as well as short-term notices about closing days. Therefore, it is advisable to check the current information on the library portal before a visit. If you want to make returns outside of service hours, you can use the 24/7 media return machine at the main branch – a practical offer that commuters particularly appreciate. For personal inquiries, the staff can be reached by phone at 08131 754840; reliable information about card renewals, fees, reservations, and events is also available via email. Please note that the main branch is organizationally part of the large district town of Dachau. This means: Usage regulations and data protection follow the city's regulations; information on this is provided online. If you also have questions about the branches in Dachau-East and Dachau-South, you will find corresponding subpages in the portal with opening hours, directions, and local offerings – useful if you want to reserve or pick up media in your district.

On-Site Catalog, Onleihe LEO-SUED, filmfriend & More: The Digital Doors to the Library

Modern libraries connect the tactile experience at the shelf with the freedom to discover literature and media digitally. The main branch in Dachau consistently implements this principle. The centerpiece is the local catalog, through which you can research, reserve, or renew available media. In addition, a valid library card opens the door to Onleihe LEO-SUED – a network that enables the digital borrowing of eBooks, eAudios, eMagazines, and ePapers. Whether current novels, children's and youth books, guides, travel books, or magazines: With just a few clicks, you can download the desired titles to your e-reader, tablet, or smartphone. The loan periods automatically expire; no late fees for digital media are incurred. Additionally, the city library provides access to filmfriend, the curated film platform of public libraries. You can stream European and international arthouse cinema, documentaries, and children's films in high quality – without ads and with library login. For in-depth research, there is also access to RiffReporter, a platform for independent quality journalism that consolidates background information and reports on science, environment, society, and culture. The interplay of the on-site available collection (around 70,000 titles) and an additional 20,000 non-book media – including audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, console games, and Tonies – ensures that many interests are covered: Families discover reading materials and listening fun, students find specialist literature and reference works, and film enthusiasts expand their repertoire beyond the major portals. Conveniently, reservations can be easily made online, and pickup notifications are sent via email. If you need advice, you can use the telephone information service or speak to the team at the counter. This way, you combine digital browsing with personal support – all in an environment that consciously motivates you to stay engaged.

Events and Programs for Young and Old: Storytelling, Reading Circles, Thematic Series

The main branch at Max-Mannheimer-Platz is not only a lending location but also a stage for encounters and education. Regularly, child-friendly formats such as interactive picture book sessions and book treasures are on the program: Here, stories come alive, picture books are discovered interactively, and first reading adventures are experienced in community. For families, this is not only a lovely ritual but also a proven building block for early language and reading promotion. Teenagers find workshops or thematic actions depending on the schedule, which promote media literacy and creativity. Adults meet in reading circles and literature discussions; one example is the “Literature Circle 22 Bahnen,” which met in 2025 at the main branch. In addition, the library and local partners participate in regional actions such as long library nights, sustainability weeks, or reading start offers for families with small children. The nice thing about it: Many dates are low-threshold and free, but often require registration so that the team can plan spaces. The city communicates these events on its pages and through local cultural partners; there you will also find short-term changes, additional dates, or new series. This allows for good advance planning – whether you want to quietly participate in a reading circle, visit a storytelling format with children, or discover a thematic exhibition in the art library. For groups, daycare centers, and school classes, it is advisable to inquire in advance: Tours, class sets, or thematic media boxes are popular offers that require some lead time for organization. If you come spontaneously, it is best to take a look at the event calendar in advance; this way, you can avoid standing in line during peak times and can combine your loan with a program visit. The combination of lending, encounters, and culture makes the main branch a point of contact where reading becomes an experiential community activity.

Access by S-Bahn & Bus, Parking in the Old Town: How to Arrive Relaxed

The central location of the main branch makes getting there easier. From Munich, the S-Bahn line S2 takes you to Dachau station. From there, city buses run frequently to the city center and the old town area; the Dachau city works reorganized the bus network at the end of 2025 and increased the frequency on important routes so that connections from the station run more often. It is best to plan the last leg with the digital timetable information, choose a stop in the old town area, and walk the few minutes to Max-Mannheimer-Platz 3. For cyclists, there are several routes from the old town and the station; bike parking facilities can be found in the vicinity. If you are coming by car, you should pay attention to the parking regulations in the old town: There are marked short-term parking zones that can be used with a parking ticket or disc, depending on the area. In addition, the Dachau city works operate parking garages, including the old town garage on Wieningerstraße. From there, it takes just a few minutes on foot to reach the main branch. In the vicinity of Max-Mannheimer-Platz, designated disabled parking spaces are also documented. Please also refer to the current parking fee regulations of the city and the information on resident parking zones; in some streets, parking spaces are reserved for residents or time-limited. Tip: If you only want to pick up or drop off media, you can bundle errands. The return machine allows for returns at any time, so you can avoid or keep parking times very short. For larger events, it is advisable to plan some lead time and, if possible, use public transport – especially during peak times around market and shopping appointments in the old town, parking pressure is higher. With S-Bahn plus bus, you can comfortably reach the main branch without searching for parking.

Facilities, Services & 24/7 Return: What Makes the Main Branch Special

A strong media mix, digital access, and reliable services – this is the combination that convinces at the Dachau City Library. The physical collection includes around 70,000 titles, from fiction to non-fiction and children's literature to travel guides, learning aids, and audiobooks. It is supplemented by about 20,000 non-book media: CDs, DVDs, console games, Tonies, and more. On-site, staff provide advice on research, reservations, and media selection; those who prefer to browse independently can use the catalog at the research stations or on their own devices. Particularly convenient is the 24/7 media return via the machine at the main branch – ideal if you are on the go outside of opening hours. Digital services such as Onleihe LEO-SUED, filmfriend, and RiffReporter expand the offerings to include eBooks, eAudios, magazines, films, and journalistic background pieces. If you want to bring art into your own four walls, you can discover the art library: For defined periods, you can borrow pictures there – a good opportunity to try something new or to change your apartment seasonally. Family-friendly events, storytelling hours, and vacation activities round off the offerings; dates vary and are announced through city channels. For educational partners such as schools and daycare centers, the library recommends coordinating projects early; media boxes, class tours, and thematic introductions can be planned in consultation. Organizational transparency also characterizes the institution: Usage regulations, data protection, and information on registration are available in the city portal. If you have questions about fees, lost cards, or renewals, you can quickly get help by phone or email. Overall, the main branch presents itself as a place where service quality and user-friendliness are the focus – from the first registration to daily lending operations to the visible, round-the-clock return offer.

History, Location & Special Features: Main Branch in the Urban Context

The main branch of the city library is located at Max-Mannheimer-Platz, named after the contemporary witness and publicist Max Mannheimer. The area belongs to the extended old town situation of Dachau and is surrounded by residential and educational uses as well as cultural offerings. The library is organizationally assigned to the large district town of Dachau and works closely with city departments and cultural partners. The self-understanding of the institution reflects a dual focus: On the one hand, it preserves what is tried and tested – personal browsing, advice at the shelf, storytelling hours, and reading circles – while on the other hand, it consistently opens digital access. Thus, with Onleihe LEO-SUED, filmfriend, and RiffReporter, three strong digital components are available that complement the offerings for different target groups: Avid readers benefit from eBooks and audiobooks, families use Tonies and children's films, and students and professionals access magazines and specialist content on the go. The art library adds a special feature that is not common in many municipalities: Art becomes an everyday guest here and temporarily changes walls – an invitation to live cultural participation. In everyday life, the well-connected location facilitates many things: The train station offers regular S-Bahn connections to Munich, the city bus lines increase the frequency to the old town, and for cars – with due consideration for residents – parking garages and marked zones are available. Accessibility is comprehensively considered in city planning; specific, up-to-date information on routes, access, and any restrictions is provided on the city’s pages. Overall, the main branch integrates as a lively component into Dachau's cultural and educational landscape: a place that offers quiet for reading, enables exchange, and facilitates access to knowledge with reliable services. Those who understand libraries as third places will find a good example here – from the well-curated physical collection to the digital ecosystem to the practical round-the-clock media return service.

Sources:

• City of Dachau – Department of City Library (Collection, Offers, Contact)
• City of Dachau – Dachau City Library (Legal Notices, Address)
• LAS – City Library (Main Branch) Max-Mannheimer-Platz (24/7 Return, Notes)
• LEO-SUED – Library Network (Access Onleihe, Contact Information Dachau)
• KiD Children in Dachau – Children's Events of the City Library (Formats, Notes)
• Literature Pages Munich – Literature Circle at the Dachau City Library
• Dachau City Works – Bus Transport in Dachau (Frequency Increase/Network)
• City of Dachau – Travel Guide (Opening Hours Main Branch, Location Information)
• Dachau City Works – Parking Garages/Price List (Old Town Garage)
• City of Dachau – Overview of Disabled Parking Spaces (Area Max-Mannheimer-Platz)