The Ratsbücherei (library) of the town Lüneburg is over 600 years old and thus the oldest state library in Germany.

It was founded originally as 'des rades liberie' and located in the town's town hall. After the abolishment of the Lüneburg Franciscan monastery in 1555 the library was joined with the Franciscan library and accommodated in the former monastery building.

Altogether the Ratsbücherei has in the children's and youth library 'Auf dem Klosterhof' and the branch in Kaltenmoor a total of around 190.000 books as well as e.g. CDs, CD-ROMs, music sheets, videos, audio books, DVDs, games, graphics and watercolours.

In the old monastery rooms readers of the Ratsbücherei may use 10 Internet-PCs for a fee. Writing and printing of letters is also possible as well as working with different programmes.

The library's electronic catalogue can be used at home and is also available in the Internet.