City Library Gelsenkirchen - Buer City Center | Images & Times

The district library Buer in the Linden-Karree is a central learning and everyday place at Hochstraße 40-44, which clearly differs from a pure lending location. Those looking for photos or images can find official interior and exterior views on the location page that show the open impression of the building well. The offer is aimed at families, students, working professionals, and anyone who needs a quiet place to read, research, and discover in Buer. On about 1000 square meters on the second floor, books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, Blu-Rays, CDs, and games are available; there is also barrier-free accessibility within the building and a location in the middle of the district center. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/bildung/ausserschulische_bildung/stadtbibliothek/standorte/stadtteilbibliothek_buer.aspx))

Opening Hours of the District Library Buer

The opening hours are geared towards classic morning and afternoon use. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the library is open from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, on Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM; it is closed on Sundays. This mix makes the library practical for people with school or office routines, as a visit is possible during lunch breaks and after work. The city also explicitly points out that current changes to the opening hours should be checked on the homepage before visiting, which is particularly useful during holidays, vacations, or short-term adjustments. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/bildung/ausserschulische_bildung/stadtbibliothek/standorte/stadtteilbibliothek_buer.aspx))

For the search intention of opening hours, it is also important that the City Library Buer not only names fixed times but also keeps the service permanently up to date. The library portal and the location page continuously display dates, news, and notices; this way, a visit can be well combined with borrowing, returning, or a quick stop in the Linden-Karree. Those coming from Buer often plan the library as part of a task route on Hochstraße, while those traveling from outside can coordinate the times in advance with their arrival by bus or car. This is particularly helpful for families who do not want to search for long but work with a clear time window. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/bildung/ausserschulische_bildung/stadtbibliothek/standorte/stadtteilbibliothek_buer.aspx))

Directions, Stops, and Parking in Linden-Karree

The nearest stop for the way to the district library Buer is Buer-Rathaus/Goldbergplatz; there the tram line 302 and numerous bus lines stop. Also nearby are Buer-Rathaus/Kunstmuseum with tram line 301 and the stop Freiheit with several bus connections. This makes the library very well integrated into the public transport of Buer and accessible from various directions without a long walk. This direct connection is a clear advantage, especially for visitors who are just stopping by for a short library visit. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/bildung/ausserschulische_bildung/stadtbibliothek/standorte/stadtteilbibliothek_buer.aspx))

For drivers, the location is also interesting because the Linden-Karree has been equipped with parking spaces as part of the repurposing. The architectural documentation mentions 39 parking spaces; additionally, the city offers a real-time search for free parking spaces in the city center of Buer via the City app, which navigates directly to the desired area. Those who combine the library visit with a short shopping trip, a doctor's appointment, or a stroll through Hochstraße benefit from the fact that parking, access, and library visits converge in a central location. The building itself is located in the middle of Buer's shopping and supply area, making the location particularly efficient for everyday routes. ([baukultur.nrw](https://baukultur.nrw/site/assets/files/2189/stadtbaukultur_neueroeffnung_nach_umbau.pdf))

Media Offer, WLAN, and Events On-Site

The heart of the district library is its wide range of media. The location page lists around 62,000 media, including books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, Blu-Rays, CDs, and games, including console games. This is complemented by four internet workstations or writing PCs, WLAN via FreeWifi Gelsenkirchen, a copier, and a scanner. For many visitors, this mix of a classic library and a digital workspace is crucial: those who want to read find a selection; those who want to research or learn find infrastructure; those who just want to copy something quickly, check something, or return items receive pragmatic service. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/bildung/ausserschulische_bildung/stadtbibliothek/standorte/stadtteilbibliothek_buer.aspx))

The City Library Gelsenkirchen sees itself, according to the About Us page, as a municipal media and information center with a current, demand-oriented media offer, competent advice, and a versatile event program. This fits well with the district library Buer, as the place is intended not only for borrowing but also for inquiries and browsing. Through the library's catalog portal, media and events can be found; there the location is integrated into the entire system of the city library. For visitors, this means: A visit to Buer can be prepared with research in the online catalog, the extension of media, or the search for new titles. The current calendar also regularly features formats such as Storytime in Buer and GE-reading!, which makes the location visible as a cultural meeting point. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/Bildung/Ausserschulische_Bildung/Stadtbibliothek/Ueber_uns/index.aspx))

Accessibility and Family Library in Everyday Life

The library is particularly family-friendly due to the combination of space, orientation, and child-friendly stock. The city designates the location as a family library in the Linden-Karree; in the children's department, there is an age-appropriate media offer, and the library organizes reading promotion, for example, in the form of picture book cinemas and class tours. This is relevant not only for kindergartens and schools but also for parents looking for a quiet environment with clear offerings. Because the library bundles large parts of its offer on 1000 square meters, the location appears clear and well usable despite its central location. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/bildung/ausserschulische_bildung/stadtbibliothek/standorte/stadtteilbibliothek_buer.aspx))

In terms of accessibility, the location is also well equipped. A fully accessible entrance for wheelchair users, a passenger elevator, a wheelchair-accessible elevator, and barrier-free WCs are mentioned. Additionally, an elevator is expressly provided for strollers and walkers, making visits easier for older people and families with small children. These features make the library a place that can be used without major hurdles, and they explain why the district library Buer functions not only as a media location but also as a low-threshold meeting point in everyday life. Those who want to know in advance what the interior looks like can refer to the official photos of the entrance, team, library areas, and children's library on the location page. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/bildung/ausserschulische_bildung/stadtbibliothek/standorte/stadtteilbibliothek_buer.aspx))

History of the Linden-Karree and the Role of the Library in the District

The current Linden-Karree stands on a remarkable piece of city history. Originally, it is the former Karstadt or Hertie department store, whose origins lie between 1910 and 1912 and which was expanded in 1928/29. After being vacant since 2009, the building was renovated by a private investor community between 2013 and 2014. The architectural documentation mentions five above-ground floors, about 11,560 square meters of gross floor area, approximately 8,600 square meters of usable space, and 39 parking spaces. Thus, the former department store was transformed into a mixed-use space with retail, services, housing, and a senior and care center. ([baukultur.nrw](https://baukultur.nrw/site/assets/files/2189/stadtbaukultur_neueroeffnung_nach_umbau.pdf))

For Buer, this repurposing was more than a real estate project. The city describes the Linden-Karree as an example of civic engagement and targeted urban support that should sustainably strengthen the shopping location. The district library fits perfectly into this environment: it is part of an address that today generates foot traffic again instead of showing vacancy. The interplay of trade, advice, housing, and library makes the location in the center of the district particularly robust. Therefore, those who visit the library experience not only a classic cultural or learning place but also a piece of vibrant urban development that has transformed a historical department store into a multifunctional quarter. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/aktuelles/artikel/20677-neues-leben-in-altem-warenhaus-musterbeispiel-linden-karree))

Sources:

• City Library Gelsenkirchen - District Library Buer
• City Library Gelsenkirchen - About Us
• City of Gelsenkirchen - New Life in Old Department Store – Model Example Linden-Karree
• Urban Culture NRW - Reopening after Renovation (PDF)
• City Gelsenkirchen - Parking Guidance System GE-Buer
• City Library Gelsenkirchen - Catalog Portal
• VHS Gelsenkirchen - Linden-Karree