library in zurich

Hi all, does anyone know a good public library in zurich? thanks!

There are two libraries I use often and they have English books as well.

The first is the Pestalozzi Library and they even seem to have an english website. http://pbz.ch/info/engl.htm . You will have to pay an annual fee of 45.00.

The other is the Zentralbibliothek. This is really more of a university library but they have a section devoted to books from North America. The only annoying things is that it is a bit hard to browser as the books are arranged by when they aquired them rather than in alphabetical order and they mix non-fiction and fiction together. To get a card is free and that then allows you also to borrow from a number of libraries in other cities or to get books shipped to Zurich (for free) from there. They don't seem to have an english version of their website, but the main one is here: http://www.zb.uzh.ch/ .

ETHZ has libraries as well but I have never used them so I have no idea if you can just get a card for them even if you do not study there.

thanks for the info! have a great day!

This website will tell you everything that you need to know and can be used to search which library has which books (it is in English): http://www.nebis.ch/index_e.html

Which libraries in Zurich have free access, i.e. to sit and study/read in them?

Are there some you particularly like?

I like reading and studying in the main Pestalozzi library (pestalozzi.ch). It's got wide, long bench-like tables you can sit at, and you can open the windows, too. Lots of people use them for studying. There are lockers, too, so you can go and have a coffee.

Main ETH building has a nice library with free internet access which should only be used to browse books of course.

It also has a nice selection of magazine

As far as I know ETH library is only for students (and ETH empoyees, etc.)?

Nope, anyone can make a library card there. I went to the main library a few times but ETH seems to be the main library in Zurich.

http://opac.nebis.ch/F/FAM9J9DNU877E...s_handle=GUEST

Most of the public libraries have place to sit and study/read. I can recommend Zentralbibliothek Zürich, Cantonal Library, Zähringerplatz. 6 / Wallisellen Bibliothek, Zentralstrasse 9, 8304

Thanks for the useful info I have another question. Is it possible to just go and study/ use the WiFi without having a card/ membership?

Yep.

It was free to sign up, though, if I remember well.

Ok, thanks