Make your contribution to the ZB

As a friend of the Zentralbibliothek Zürich you can support us and ensure we remain more than just a library.

“Zurich doesn’t just need outstanding universities: it also needs modern libraries offering expert advice. That’s why the City of Zurich provides financial support to libraries and is involved in the Zentralbibliothek’s patron association. The ‘ZB’ is the perfect place to research, learn and share ideas – for researchers and for anyone in Zurich who wants to do so.” – Corine Mauch, Mayor of Zurich

Join us

About the GFZB

The “Gesellschaft von Freunden der Zentralbibliothek” (“Society of Friends of the Zentralbibliothek”, GFZB) steps in when there are no public funds available for an urgent project or an important acquisition. By becoming a member, you help to enable public podium discussions, technical innovations for information transfer, or the purchase of unique objects for the historical collections.

Zurich’s city library was established by liberal-minded citizens in the 17th century. Upholding that tradition, the GFZB sees itself as a form of active citizenship and as a third member of a trio, along with the Canton and City.

Our activities

Over recent years, the GFZB has enabled the following projects:

Launch of the Escher talk discussion series focusing on research topics of major societal importance (2020)
Equipping the ZB’s teaching rooms with laptops and touchscreens for interactive communication (2018)
Acquiring facsimiles of books and special issues such as “Hundert Zürcher Ansichten” (marking the anniversary year in 2017)
Installing a thoughtfully designed lounge in the reading room where users can read newspapers and periodicals from all over the world (2011)

The launch of an ETH Zurich augmented reality app for ZB exhibitions is planned for 2022. It will provide an innovative complement to a museum visit and enable users to delve more deeply into the stories that the individual objects have to tell.

Reading lounge

Installed in 2011 the reading lounge, where visitors can read newspapers and periodicals from all over the world, has now become an essential part of the reading room.

Equipment in the teaching rooms

The laptops and Prowise touchscreens paid for by the GFZB create a new, interactive learning environment in our teaching rooms.

Escher talk

Funded by the GFZB, the Escher talk series tackles research topics of major societal importance.

Hundert Zürcher Ansichten

The GFZB funded the special issue of “Hundert Zürcher Ansichten” for the ZB’s anniversary in 2017.

A modest contribution makes a big impact!

Would you like to support our historically important institution and its valuable collections? Make your contribution to the ZB by joining the GFZB. Simply register by e-mailing gfzb@zb.uzh.ch or use the form.