Zentralbibliothek der Sportwissenschaften
The university library of the Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln — reportedly the world's largest specialized library dedicated to sport and sports science.
since 1947
The Zentralbibliothek der Sportwissenschaften (ZBS) is the university library of the Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln and the central academic reference library for sport in Germany. It is widely regarded as the world's largest specialized library in the field of sport and sports science.
At a Glance
- Type
- Academic specialized and university library
- Operated by
- Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln
- Location
- Müngersdorf district, Lindenthal borough
- Founded
- 1947
- Focus
- Sport and sports science
- Collection
- approx. 434,000 items (as of 1 January 2020)
- Notable
- extensive historical collections
The Central Library of Sports Sciences is the world's largest special library in the field of sports and sports science, holding over 22,000 diploma theses and more than 12,000 US dissertations on microfiche.
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Purpose and Services
The library supports study, teaching, and research with scholarly resources available both on-site and online. Services include study spaces, personal consultations, training sessions, and guidance on research methods and academic publishing. A designated special collection area for sports science was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) from 1977 to 2014.
Collections
As of 1 January 2020, the holdings comprised around 434,000 items, including videocassettes, DVDs, and CDs. The library maintains 860 active journal subscriptions and access to around 11,300 electronic journals. The catalogue also includes several thousand dissertations, US dissertations on microfiche and in PDF form, approximately 22,800 diploma theses, and a dedicated textbook collection.
Historical Collections
Alongside its current holdings, the library preserves several historically significant collections. These include the library of the Deutsche Turnerschaft, the Wolfgang Gronen International Cycling Archive, the Fredy Budzinski Cycling Archive, and personal bequests and collections from various individuals and sports associations.
Timeline
- 1947Foundation / opening of the Central Library of Sports Sciences
- 1977DFG begins funding the special collection area for sports sciences
- 2014DFG funding for the special collection area for sports sciences ends
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Address
Zentralbibliothek der Deutschen Sporthochschule
50933 Köln
Hours
Mo: 07:30–21:00
Di: 07:30–21:00
Mi: 07:30–21:00
Do: 07:30–21:00
Fr: 07:30–21:00
Sa: 10:00–18:00
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Sources & links
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-27
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