On October 15th, the Terminale AbiBac students visited the State Library at KAP (Konrad-Adenauer-Platz) in Düsseldorf. Besides the well-known Student Center, where they could browse secondary literature relevant to the AbiBac curriculum, the students also explored many other areas of the library — from films, audiobooks, and music to newspapers, magazines, creative spaces, study boxes, a music studio, and more.
Here are impressions from students:
Yesterday, we explored part of the “Living Lab” at the Düsseldorf City Library. This space is designed for learning in a calm environment that encourages focus and concentration. Students can sit together at simple tables, while the minimalist design and open layout create a peaceful atmosphere, free from distractions.
The area, connected to the rest of the library and located near the CD section, even featured a piano. Visitors could borrow headphones at the information desk to play it. On the upper floor, an outdoor terrace offered a place to relax, surrounded by bookshelves organized by topic — history, philosophy, medicine, law, language learning, and of course, German literature.
Among the many shelves, there were also computer workstations and sunny reading spots. Downstairs, a staircase led to the reception area next to the DVD section. But what caught our attention most was the foreign language section, where we browsed through a few interesting novels. The nearby children’s area was colorful and imaginative, featuring a treehouse and a model of the Rhine Bridge surrounded by countless books.
The Düsseldorf City Library offers much more than a place to study — it’s where knowledge meets enjoyment, a perfect space to relax, learn, and escape from the stress of everyday life.
During our visit to the Düsseldorf City Library, we explored the LibraryLab.
In this innovative space, visitors can work with 3D printers. They learn how to design and program objects on the computer and then create them from plastic using the printer. Anyone who has completed the “3D Printing License” — available after a short introductory course for those aged 16 and older — is allowed to use the machines independently. The use of the equipment is free with a library card. Regular workshops are also offered to demonstrate how 3D printing works and what creative projects it can be used for.
The Library of Things is one of the most unusual sections of the library.
Here, you can borrow everyday items that you might not normally buy but that can be quite handy in certain situations. For example, you can find boxes with “children’s birthday party game sets” or even laminating machines.
