die  Stadtbücherei

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃtatˌbyːçəˈʁaɪ/

📚 What exactly is a 'Stadtbücherei'?

The German word die Stadtbücherei refers to a public library located in a city or town. It's a public institution offering books, magazines, newspapers, digital media, and often other materials (like CDs, DVDs) for borrowing or use on-site. It serves the purpose of education, information, and entertainment for the citizens.

It's a compound noun formed from die Stadt (the city) and die Bücherei (the library, specifically a lending library). Since 'Bücherei' is feminine (die Bücherei), the compound word 'die Stadtbücherei' is also feminine.

🚨 There are no other articles for this word; it is always feminine (die).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: The Declension

The noun 'Stadtbücherei' is feminine. Its declension follows the standard pattern for feminine nouns, particularly those ending in '-ei'.

Singular

Plural

📖 Example Sentences

1. Ich gehe heute Nachmittag in die Stadtbücherei.
   (I'm going to the public library this afternoon.)
2. Die Öffnungszeiten der Stadtbücherei sind online.
   (The opening hours of the public library are online.)
3. Wir treffen uns vor der Stadtbücherei.
   (We'll meet in front of the public library.)
4. Die Kinder lieben die Veranstaltungen in den Stadtbüchereien.
   (The children love the events in the public libraries.)

💡 How to use 'die Stadtbücherei'?

The term Stadtbücherei is specifically used for a municipal library, i.e., one run by the city or local authority (Kommune). It contrasts with, for example, university libraries (Universitätsbibliotheken), school libraries (Schulbibliotheken), or private libraries (Privatbibliotheken).

• Context: Used in everyday conversation when talking about borrowing books, studying, reading, or public services.
• Synonyms: Often 'Öffentliche Bibliothek' (public library) or simply 'Bücherei' are used if the context makes it clear it's the municipal one. 'Bibliothek' is the more general term for any library.
• Distinction: A Buchhandlung (bookstore) sells books, while a Stadtbücherei lends them (usually for free or a small annual fee).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: German nouns ending in -ei are almost always feminine (die Bäckerei, die Metzgerei, die Bücherei). Imagine a WOMAN (feminine) running the library in the CITY (Stadt): it must be die Stadtbücherei.

Remembering the Meaning: Think of a Stadt (city) full of buildings, and one special building houses the Bücher (books) for everyone - the Bücherei (library).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Not every Bibliothek is a Stadtbücherei.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Geister keine Bücher aus der Stadtbücherei mit?

Weil sie direkt durchlesen können! 👻📖

---

Why don't ghosts borrow books from the public library?

Because they can read right through them! 👻📖

📜 A Poem about the Stadtbücherei

In der Stadt, ein Haus so still,
Wo Wissen wartet, kühl und schrill.
Regale hoch, bis an die Decke,
Geschichten schlummern in jeder Ecke.

Die Stadtbücherei, ein offner Hort,
Für jeden Bürger, an diesem Ort.
Man leiht sich Welten, groß und klein,
Und taucht in fremde Zeiten ein.

---

In the city, a house so still,
Where knowledge waits, both cool and shrill.
Shelves reach high, up to the ceiling,
Stories slumber, full of feeling.

The public library, an open keep,
For every citizen, secrets to reap.
One borrows worlds, both big and small,
And dives into times beyond recall.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich steh' in der Stadt, bin öffentlich und frei,
Hab tausende Seiten, doch schrei' niemals "hei!".
Man leiht bei mir Wissen, auf Zeit, nicht für Geld,
Bringt's wieder zurück in die papierne Welt.

Was bin ich?

→ Die Stadtbücherei

---

I stand in the city, am public and free,
Have thousands of pages, but shout not with glee.
You borrow knowledge from me, for time, not for gold,
And bring it back safely to the paper fold.

What am I?

→ The public library (die Stadtbücherei)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition

The word "Stadtbücherei" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• die Stadt: Refers to the location ('city') or the operator (the municipality).
• die Bücherei: A place for keeping and lending books (derived from 'Buch' (book) with the suffix '-erei', which often denotes places or activities).

The gender of the compound word is determined by the last part (the base word), which is 'Bücherei' (feminine). Therefore: die Stadtbücherei.

Trivia

Many modern Stadtbüchereien offer much more than just books: E-books, audiobooks, films, music, computer games, internet access, courses, and events are often part of their services.