Library
The content on this page was translated automatically.
Important information: No indication of gender
The University Library has decided that in future it will not be necessary to specify a gender when applying for a library card. From 01.10.2024, you will therefore no longer find a field in the application forms for new cards that asks for gender information.
If you already have a library account with us, we hereby inform you that the gender entries in it will be deleted by 01.10.2024. With this notice, we are fulfilling our duty to provide information in accordance with Art. 13 GDPR. The deletion takes place because the purpose for further storage no longer applies as of 01.10.2024.
As a central facility for media and information, the library is available to everyone at the university. Interested external persons can use the holdings on site in the library rooms.
Catalog & Search
In the catalog you will find our physical and digital media holdings. In the OPAC menu at the top right you will also find the login to your library account.
If you have an acquisition request, please contact us in person or by e-mail at bibliothek@hfmt-hamburg.de.
Digital offers
Our digital services can be used on site in the university network. University members can use the digital services (with a few exceptions) from outside the university with myHfMT-Login/Shibboleth.
In the Digital Concert Hall you have access to all live streams, concert recordings, documentaries and many other offers from the Berliner Philharmoniker. (Registration in the university network)
The theater database Drama Online from Bloomsbury contains theater texts as well as video recordings of theater performances from the following collections: Royal Shakespeare Company Live, Shakespeare's Globe on Screen, British, American & Australian Theatre, Shakespeare in the Present, Shakespeare Video Collection, National Theatre Collection. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
Naxos Music Library is an extensive online streaming portal for classical music. Library users can also stream the Naxos offer via the NML app. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
Naxos Music Library Jazz is a comprehensive online streaming portal for jazz. Library users can also stream the Naxos offer via the NMLJazz app. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT-Login/Shibboleth)
Bloomsbury's Drama Online theater database contains theatrical texts and video recordings of theatrical performances from the following collections: Royal Shakespeare Company Live, Shakespeare's Globe on Screen, Nick Hern Books, Oberon Books, National Theatre Collection. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
musiconn is a central information portal for music and musicology and offers access to academic research, specialist information and internet resources. (freely accessible)
The OLC musicology database provides access to tables of contents of musicological journals (usually from 1994 onwards). It is a subject-related section of the Online Contents database. (freely accessible)
The RILM Abstracts of Music Literature database contains bibliographical references to articles from 950 permanently evaluated journals, monographs, dissertations etc. from 1967 to the present day. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
Scopus is a multidisciplinary abstract and citation database for research literature and high-quality Internet sources (peer-reviewed). Various tools are available for tracking, analyzing and visualizing research information from all subject areas such as : Natural sciences, technology, medicine and health sciences; social sciences; arts and humanities (access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
BabelScores is a database with over 2000 scores and audio recordings of contemporary compositions. (Access in the university network, remote access on request)
The digitized music of the Hamburg State Library contains over 1000 music prints and music manuscripts. (freely accessible)
The Henle Library App contains the complete digital Urtext catalog of Henle Verlag and offers many features for working with Henle sheet music. (Registration in the university network with the HfMT mail, then remote access via app account)
The Classical Scores Library (Volume I) from Music Online offers sheet music from the classical canon and contemporary works. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
The Nkoda app offers a constantly growing sheet music repertoire from over 140 music publishers with pieces of music of all genres and styles, as well as loan and study material and numerous features for using and editing the sheet music. (Access in the university network and remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth, registration for the app with HfMT mail)
You can find German and English e-books from various publishers and platforms in our catalog . You have access to all e-books in the university network. Remote access is possible via myHfMT login (Shibboleth).
In the catalog you will also find e-books from ProQuest's Ebook Central (EBC) platform that have not yet been purchased, which you can read for 5 minutes with your myHfMT login. Please send us an acquisition proposal using the "Request" function.
JSTOR is a large online archive with back issues of selected journals. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
Below you will also find a list of our digital journals and the respective access options.
19th Century Music contains articles dealing with all aspects of European music of the "long century" (ca. 1780-1920). (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
The Archive for Musicology reflects the state of research in music history and the current methodology of the subject of musicology. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT-Login/Shibboleth)
The Computer Music Journal covers all aspects of computer music, digital sound technology and musical applications of computers. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT-Login/Shibboleth)
Members of the HfMT Hamburg have access to almost the entire Elsevier journal portfolio, as the HfMT participates in the DEAL contract with the scientific publisher Elsevier via the SUB Hamburg. The aim of this agreement is to improve access to research literature and results through the transformation to open access publications.
The journal figurationen provides a forum for current debates on culture, gender and literature. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
The Handbook of Cultural Management contains specialist knowledge and working aids and provides information on developments and trends in cultural management, cultural policy and cultural law. (Access in the university network, individual articles on request)
Musiktherapeutische Umschau reports on basic research, deals with training issues and documents the everyday professional life of music therapists in case studies. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT-Login/Shibboleth)
As a student, you will receive a free annual subscription to the digital edition of the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik. (Register directly with the publisher)
Students can use the digital subscription of the magazine das Orchester free of charge for one year.
The magazine Oper und Tanz contains news from German opera houses and dance theaters, cultural policy commentaries, detailed portraits, reports and an overview of current criticism. (freely accessible)
RiffReporter is the largest journalistic team in the German-speaking world covering science, the environment, world affairs, society and technology. (Access in the university network)
The magazine Schultheater offers regular practical suggestions on a broad professional basis for all those involved in school theater work with children and young people. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT-Login/Shibboleth)
The Zeitschrift für Kulturmanagement und Kulturpolitik represents an international perspective on current issues in research, teaching and practice in the fields of cultural management and cultural policy. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT-Login/Shibboleth)
You can search other free databases in the database information system.
University members can use medici.tv and other music resources free of charge. A one-time registration is required.
The MGG offers in-depth articles on every area of music as well as many related fields such as literature, philosophy and the visual arts. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
Alexander Street's Music Online portal provides full-text access to the Garland Encyclopedia of World Music, African American Music Reference, Classical Scores Library and Classical Music Reference Library. (Access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT login/Shibboleth)
Oxford Music Online contains the full text dictionaries Grove Music Online, The Oxford Dictionary of Music, The Oxford Companion to Music(access in the university network, remote access via myHfMT-Login/Shibboleth)
Who gets a library account?
Students and employees
- of the Hamburg University of Music and Drama
- the Institute of Musicology at the University of Hamburg
- from the music education and theater education departments of the University of Hamburg
- of the Hamburg Conservatory
Special features
Young students must also submit a signed declaration of consent.
Students of the University of Hamburg who are studying in the field of music education or theater education must also submit the signed certificate .
Library card
You can pick up your library card during our service hours.
Note for users from the areas of theater and KMM: You can pick up your library card 2 working days after receiving our confirmation email in the box at the Barmbek campus.
FAQ
The library at the Außenalster campus is available to all interested parties for use on site. The library at the Barmbek campus is an open library: a valid library card is required for admission.
We also offer 20-minute guided tours of the library or catalog and database training for individuals or seminar groups. If you are interested, please contact us to arrange an appointment.
You can use the Open Library at both library locations.
At the Außenalster campus, you can use the Open Library outside service hours during the opening hours of the building.
At the Barmbek Campus, the library is permanently accessible as an Open Library during opening hours.
Open Library?
This means that you can use the library with your valid library card regardless of service hours and borrow media at the self-checkout desk.
Door remains locked?
Your card may no longer be valid or may have been blocked. Please contact us during service hours or by e-mail.
In the library at the Außenalster campus, self-checkout devices are available for borrowing.
- For what? Borrowing, renewing media, checking your account balance
- What do I need? Library card and password, default password: the first three letters of your surname (in lower case)
- Forgot your password? Catalog, tab 'Library account', 'Forgotten password' (a new one will be sent to you)
- Security system at the door beeps? Item may not be borrowed correctly; please repeat the process
- Returning media? Return box at the lockers on the 1st floor (next to the entrance)
In the library on the Barmbek campus you can borrow, renew and return media yourself at the self-checkout desk.
You can access your library account via the catalog . Here you can view your personal data, your borrowings and any fees incurred, as well as make reservations and place orders.
The password is preset with the first three letters of your surname. Please change this as soon as possible.
After the expiry date, the library card can be renewed by presenting the relevant proof of authorization to the library or by sending a (photo) scan by e-mail to leihstelle@hfmt-hamburg.de:
- HfMT students: a current student ID card
- Staff of the HfMT or the University of Hamburg: current certificate of employment/employment contract
- Young students: a current signed declaration of consent with a copy of the identity card or passport of a parent or guardian
- Students of the University of Hamburg in the field of music education or theater pedagogy: a current signed certificate
- Students of the Hamburg Conservatory: a current proof of affiliation to the conservatory
Ordering:
You can order media from the stacks and from both locations to the other library location. Please note that orders for the library at the Außenalster campus can only be collected during service hours.
Make a note:
If you need a borrowed item, you can reserve it in the catalog free of charge by specifying the pick-up location. You will be notified when the item has been returned.
Renewal:
You can renew your media yourself twice within the loan period, unless
- there is a reservation
- the loan period has already expired
- Your account is blocked
The new loan period end date is always calculated from the day of renewal.
All media can be borrowed for 8 weeks.
Loan and performance material: The return date is specified when the order is placed.
Borrowed media must be returned unsolicited by the end of the loan period at the latest.
If the loan period is exceeded, the following late fees will be charged
- 1,- € per medium in the first week
- 3,- € per medium from the second week onwards
- 8,- € per medium from the third week onwards
- 18,- € per medium from the fifth week onwards
Outer Alster Campus: Outside of service hours, you can place media in the return box at the lockers on the 1st floor. Items can also be returned at the gate.
Returning items is your responsibility, please check your library account the following day.
Please note that
- complete items will be returned the following working day,
- incomplete items will not be returned but deposited at the circulation desk. In this case, we will inform you and ask you to return the missing items as soon as possible.
Campus Barmbek: Please return your media via the self-checkout in the Open Library.
Users are obliged to comply with the provisions of the rules of use and the instructions of the library staff. They are liable for damages and disadvantages incurred by the library as a result of non-compliance with these obligations.
Please inform the library immediately of any changes of name or address.
If damage (e.g. water or mold damage) has occurred to the medium during your loan, please let us know.
If you have lost an item, please submit a loss report to the library. You can obtain the form from the circulation desk. The refund and administration costs will then be invoiced to you by the university's finance department after a period of eight weeks. No further late fees will be charged during this period.
If you have lost your library card, please contact the circulation desk. A replacement card will be issued for €15.
Opening hours & Locations
Outer Alster Campus
Service hours:
| Lecture period | Lecture-free period | |
| Mon, Tue, Thu | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| Wed, Fri | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
Outside of service hours: Open Library during the opening hours of the building. The library closes 30 minutes before closing time. For public holidays or vacation periods, please check the current opening hours of the campus.
Campus Barmbek
Open Library during the opening hours of the building
About us
Who are we?
The library is the academic information center of the University of Music and Drama in Hamburg. As a central place of learning, it supports its users in their studies and teaching, research and art by providing information and making media and other materials available.
What do we offer?
Our primary goal is to provide optimal access to knowledge and subject-specific information. The University Library's offers and services are primarily aimed at the students of the University of Music and Drama, the teaching staff and other members of the university.
In addition, we are also available to external users as a reference library. When using the library and its catalogs, we support those seeking information by providing appropriate and targeted advice and training. We offer reading places and a variety of technical equipment for working with the media on site.
This is important to us!
We are committed to maintaining an up-to-date and comprehensive collection. Our actions are geared towards the needs of our users, whereby we use the resources available to us in a targeted and economical manner. In doing so, we strive to continuously improve the performance of our library.
As qualified and motivated specialist staff, we attach great importance to professional competence and customer friendliness in our advice and service. Collegial support and the continuous exchange of information are important foundations of our teamwork. Our team meets the constantly changing challenges of our field of work through regular further training, participation in specialist conferences, professional exchange and cooperation with other libraries in the Hamburg library network and at national level.
Here you can find a flyer with information on all Hamburg libraries.
Library in numbers
(as of 2024)
- Stock analog: Total 90,694, of which: 54,860 sheet music, 34,203 books, 1513 AV media, 60 manuscripts, 58 journals
- Digital holdings: 147,923 in total, of which: 132,279 e-books, 178 e-journals, 1148 databases, 14,318 CDs and DVDs
- Number of users: 1860, including 1088 enrolled students
- Workstations: 33, 11 of which are equipped with computers
- History: since 2005 in the newly built library building, since 2021 new open library location at the Barmbek campus, since 2022 open library times at the Außenalster campus location