RW21 City Library | Online Lending & Parking

The RW21 in Bayreuth is much more than a classic library. The official pages describe it as a municipal education center, a place of encounter, learning, and culture, where the city library, adult education center, and LeseCafé21 come together under one roof. Visitors will find not only books and media but also learning spaces, digital offerings, advice, guided tours, events, and a café that has become a meeting point in itself. Depending on the official representation, the building is described as a spacious, multi-story education center; the city library states 4,000 square meters over 4 floors, while the city of Bayreuth mentions 5,000 square meters over 5 floors. For visitors, it is especially important that many functions are bundled in one building and that the RW21 is intentionally designed as an open, barrier-free, and low-threshold space. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/wir-ueber-uns/))

The building caters to very different target groups: children and families, students, working professionals, language learners, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a quiet place to read, work, or exchange ideas. The homepage of the city library emphasizes story hours, art workshops, exhibitions, author readings, further education, and diverse course offerings; the adult education center complements the offerings with courses in education, languages, health, politics, profession, and culture. This creates a place where practical information, culture, and everyday assistance intersect. The RW21 is also strongly positioned digitally: the range extends from online lending to film streaming to databases and learning platforms. This very mix makes the building so special for Bayreuth and explains why there are so many inquiries around the RW21 regarding online lending, café, directions, parking, opening hours, and learning spaces. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/))

Online Lending and Digital Offers at RW21

A central theme around the RW21 is online lending. The city library offers digital media through the Franken-Onleihe and Libby or Franken-Overdrive in collaboration with 21 other libraries. With a valid library card, users can borrow eBooks, digital magazines, and newspapers; additionally, audiobooks and English-language eBooks are available through Libby. According to the official site, usage is possible without additional costs. For many people, this is a strong argument because it allows them to read and listen flexibly and independently of location, without being bound by opening hours. Especially for those searching for rw21 online lending, digital offerings, or catalog, this combination of a classic library and digital lending is particularly relevant. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/ausleihe/katalog-konto-digitale-angebote/))

The digital equipment includes additional offerings that make the RW21 a modern media center. The city library mentions filmfriend, where with a library card, free access to a growing selection of films and series is possible. There is also access to the Munzinger archive with biographies, country information, chronicles, encyclopedias, and the film service, which is particularly interesting for schools, studies, and research. Those who prefer to work with an e-reader can borrow three different PocketBook e-readers directly at the information desk on the first floor for four weeks without additional costs. This makes the RW21 attractive for readers who prefer to use digital books on their own devices rather than on their smartphones. Thus, online lending is not just a single portal but part of a larger digital ecosystem. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/ausleihe/katalog-konto-digitale-angebote/))

Particularly interesting is the current transition to Online Lending 3. The homepage of the city library points out that the platform received a major update on May 5. Mentioned are a user-friendly and barrier-free interface, an extension of the loan period for all types of media, an unlimited wish list, a loan history, and a dark mode for eye-friendly reading. A new app for Android, iOS, and Fire OS is available for mobile devices. This information is particularly relevant for inquiries about rw21 online lending and digital media because it shows that the offerings are not only available but are continuously being developed. In practice, this means: Those who borrow at the RW21 benefit from a current digital service that meaningfully complements classic library use. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/))

Directions, Bus Lines, and Parking at RW21

The location of the RW21 is very central for visitors. The adult education center describes the site as the end of the upper pedestrian zone in the city center, near the Richard Wagner Museum. Thus, the building is in an area that is easily accessible on foot and can be combined with a visit to the library or courses with a stroll through the city center. For public transport, the city library mentions several stops and lines: Oberfrankenhalle with lines 304, 316, and 326, Wahnfried with lines 302 and 307, and Sternplatz with line 314. Additionally, it is mentioned that from 19:45 and on Sundays from 9:00 to 12:00, line 223 serves the stops Sternplatz and Oberfrankenhalle. Therefore, those searching for directions to rw21 or bus rw21 will find very concrete, practical information here. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/kontakt/lage-anfahrt/))

There is also clear information for drivers. The city library mentions the Sternplatz underground garage, the Badstraße and Oberfrankenhalle parking garages, and the Stadthalle parking lot. Additionally, there are parking spaces in the vicinity, especially for free short-term parking on Dilchertstraße. The adult education center adds information about paid parking spaces around the RW21 and free parking options at the Volksfest parking lot or at the ZENTRUM, which is about a ten-minute walk away. This mix of nearby paid and free options is practical for different visiting situations, such as a short library visit, a longer event, or a course lasting several hours. For inquiries about parking rw21 or parking lot bayreuth rw21, these details are particularly relevant. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/kontakt/lage-anfahrt/))

Cyclists are also not forgotten: bike racks are located directly in front of the entrance. For those arriving by bicycle, this provides a straightforward and convenient solution. Additionally, the adult education center provides an important note: The city library is closed on Mondays, so access to the VHS can only be made through the back entrance of the RW21 building on Werner-Siemens-Straße. This shows how strongly the building is organized for multiple uses. Overall, the connection is good, as bus, car, and bicycle are sensibly considered. For a municipal education center, this is a significant location advantage, especially since many visitors come from different districts or the surrounding area. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/kontakt/lage-anfahrt/))

LeseCafé21: Coffee, Cake, Encounters, and Events

The LeseCafé21 is one of the most characteristic places in the RW21. It connects, according to the official description, the reading and media worlds of the city library with the learning worlds of the adult education center. From the beginning, it has established itself as a meeting point for course participants, for meetings, and for a relaxing break. The café offers coffee, cake, pastries, daily fresh homemade soups, and specially topped bagels. The ingredients and drinks are sourced regionally and seasonally, and the offerings range from garden lemonade to cola. This is an important note for visitors searching for rw21 café or leseCafé21: This is not just any bistro, but a consciously integrated house café that is functionally and atmospherically closely connected to the library and VHS. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/angebote/lesecafe-21/))

The LeseCafé21 is both an event venue and a social space. The site mentions exhibitions, literature cafés, language cafés, and regular meetings of the chess club as fixed components of the concept. This makes the café a place where culture, learning, and leisure naturally mix. Particularly noteworthy is the operator: Lebenswerk gGmbH, a company of the Diakonie Bayreuth, operates the LeseCafé21. The space is thus also an example of lived inclusion, as according to the official description, people with disabilities work there, independently managing daily operations with trained processes. This social approach is an important distinguishing feature and makes the LeseCafé21 a lighthouse project in the building. So, for those searching for café, enjoyment, and meeting point in the RW21, they will find much more than a coffee counter here. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/angebote/lesecafe-21/))

The location of the café in the building is also practical. The city of Bayreuth explicitly mentions the LeseCafé21 on the second floor, where it invites visitors to linger with cake, pastries, small snacks, and a large selection of coffee specialties. The opening hours correspond to those of the city library, namely Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:00; the café is closed on Mondays. This is important for content searches because visitors often directly inquire about opening hours, offerings, and atmosphere. The LeseCafé21 is thus a relevant part of the location identity of the RW21 and a good example of how a municipal education center can also be thought of gastronomically and socially. ([bayreuth.de](https://www.bayreuth.de/rathaus-buergerservice/bildung-wissen/rw21/))

Learning Cabins, Workspaces, and Guided Tours at RW21

Those wishing to learn or work at the RW21 will find very concrete infrastructure for that. The city library describes five learning cabins that offer individuals and small groups retreat options for focused work. Each cabin has a PC with internet access, USB port, printing options for a fee, and Microsoft Office with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Additionally, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building via HOTSPLOTS. Scanning and printing are also possible, including color and black-and-white printing in A4 and A3, as well as scanning up to A2 format onto a provided USB stick. For inquiries such as learning cabins rw21 or workspaces rw21, this is particularly helpful because the building not only provides media but explicitly supports productive work.

The learning cabins are freely accessible and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. This means: There is no complicated pre-registration, but rather uncomplicated use on-site. This fits well with the building's self-understanding as a low-threshold experience and meeting space. This offering is complemented by guided tours, which according to the official site take place monthly free of charge. Currently, they are offered on the last Thursday of each month at 16:30. During these tours, visitors gain insight into the information and media offerings, the building's special features, and behind the scenes of the city library. For people visiting the RW21 for the first time, such tours are often the quickest way to understand the structure and possibilities of the building. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/angebote/fuehrungen-beratung/))

The questions answered during a guided tour show well how broad the offerings are. According to the city library, it is about what the city library Bayreuth offers in detail, what the artothek is, how to use the OPAC, and what the learning studio exists for. The Black Box is also mentioned, which is one of the event rooms in the building. This shows that the RW21 not only offers reading material and coffee but also orientation, advice, and learning support. For search terms like guided tour rw21, opac rw21, or learning studio rw21, this is an important content building block because it clearly delineates the various types of use while making the building as a whole understandable. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/angebote/fuehrungen-beratung/))

Event Rooms, Artothek, and Flexible Use

The RW21 is also a house for events. The rental page emphasizes that modern rooms equipped to contemporary standards are available, provided they are not occupied by the in-house program. In the area of the city library, the Black Box in the basement with 140 square meters, changing area, a maximum of 80 chairs, and no daylight, as well as the creative workshop on the ground floor with 42 square meters and a maximum of 30 chairs are mentioned. The technical equipment includes a screen, lectern, speaker system, projector, stage elements, stage spotlights, whiteboard, water connection, and free Wi-Fi, depending on the room. For inquiries about event rooms rw21 or black box rw21, these facts are central. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/ausleihe/vermietung/))

Additionally, there is the gallery on the first floor, described as a place for exhibitions. There are 26 running meters of gallery rails available, complemented by space for exhibits and vernissages on 50 to 100 square meters. The rental page also mentions the group forum on the ground floor as a place for story hours with a repurposed staircase in the Kibi area for about 20 children. In the VHS area, seminar rooms, an IT room, a cooking studio, health rooms, and other event spaces are added. Thus, the building is not fixed to a single purpose but allows for flexible, combined use for education, culture, and encounters. For non-profit educational or cultural events, according to rental conditions, half rental prices are also possible, and for cooperation partners, room use for joint events is free, each with expense allowances. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/ausleihe/vermietung/))

A special role is played by the artothek. It is described as an art lending service for one's own four walls, with a diverse selection of paintings that can be borrowed for several months for a small fee. The special aspect of the Bayreuth artothek is its integrative character: alongside local artists, mentally impaired artists are also given a platform. This connects the RW21 with cultural participation, social integration, and aesthetic education. For inquiries like artothek rw21 or art borrowing bayreuth, this is a strong unique selling point that goes far beyond classic library logic. It shows that the RW21 brings not only media but also art and creative impulses into the everyday life of the city. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/artothek/?utm_source=openai))

History, Accessibility, and Mission Statement of RW21

The history of the RW21 is closely linked to the educational location of Bayreuth. The official anniversary page reminds us that the new cultural and education center was opened in February 2011. This made the RW21 a special place for lifelong learning, where the city library and adult education center were brought together for the first time in this form under one roof. At the same time, the history of the city library goes back further: the anniversary pages refer to June 16, 1921, when the then city library Bayreuth opened its doors in the Old Town Hall. The RW21 thus stands for both modernization and tradition, representing a new place with a long educational history. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/101-jahre-rw21-und-1001-jahre-stadtbibliothek-bayreuth/?utm_source=openai))

The mission statement is also clearly formulated. The city library describes the RW21 as a municipal education center, a place of encounter, learning, and culture. The adult education center fulfills its task of adult education, as anchored in the Bavarian constitution, while the city library supports the right to information freedom enshrined in the Basic Law. Together with a network of cooperation partners, the house aims to enrich the educational landscape and strengthen cultural life in Bayreuth. This classification is important because it explains why the RW21 bundles so many different search intentions: It is not just about books but about participation, knowledge, orientation, and communal use. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/wir-ueber-uns/unser-team/?utm_source=openai))

Another focus is on accessibility. The city library emphasizes that the RW21 was planned from the beginning with the greatest possible accessibility in mind and that this process is continuously being further developed. Guidelines for visually impaired people, an elevator with a low, tactile control panel and acoustic announcement, another elevator at the VHS entrance, tactile door signs, sufficient space for walkers, wheelchairs, and strollers, books in large print, books in simple and easy language, audiobooks also in DAISY format, subtitles for DVDs and Blu-rays, a screen reader, a mobile inductive hearing system, an inclusive artothek, an inclusive LeseCafé21, and a disabled toilet are mentioned. For inquiries like accessibility rw21, this is a very strong signal because it shows that accessibility is not only considered but concretely implemented. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/kontakt/barrierefreiheit/?utm_source=openai))

The official self-presentation also emphasizes the quality of stay. The building sees itself as a barrier-free, low-threshold municipal experience and encounter space that enables encounters and communication and encourages unexpected discoveries. This self-understanding fits well with the many offerings that converge in the building: media, courses, learning places, advice, café, exhibitions, rental, and digital services. Therefore, those visiting the RW21 do not experience a rigid administrative building but a lively house with a clear public function. This very mix makes the location in Bayreuth so interesting, both for locals and for guests specifically searching for LeseCafé, online lending, parking, or opening hours. ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/wir-ueber-uns/))

Sources:

• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – Homepage ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/))
• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – Location & Directions ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/kontakt/lage-anfahrt/))
• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – LeseCafé21 ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/angebote/lesecafe-21/))
• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – Catalog, Account & Digital Offers ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/ausleihe/katalog-konto-digitale-angebote/))
• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – Learning & Workspaces
• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – Tours & Advice ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/angebote/fuehrungen-beratung/))
• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – Rental ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/ausleihe/vermietung/))
• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – Artothek ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/artothek/?utm_source=openai))
• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – Accessibility and About Us ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/kontakt/barrierefreiheit/?utm_source=openai))
• City of Bayreuth – RW21 and VHS Information ([bayreuth.de](https://www.bayreuth.de/rathaus-buergerservice/bildung-wissen/rw21/))
• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – 10+1 Years and 100+1 Years City Library Bayreuth ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/101-jahre-rw21-und-1001-jahre-stadtbibliothek-bayreuth/?utm_source=openai))
• RW21 City Library Bayreuth – Our Team and Mission Statement ([stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de](https://stadtbibliothek.bayreuth.de/wir-ueber-uns/unser-team/?utm_source=openai))