Library profile

The German National Library of Economics (ZBW) – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics is the world’s largest specialist library for economics, with locations in Kiel and Hamburg. The mission of the ZBW is to procure and supply economic information and literature nationally. The ZBW aims to offer its users comprehensive services that will facilitate efficient and effective utilisation of economics-specific information.

The German National Library of Economics procures economic literature and subject specific information from all over the world. The ZBW makes them available to users by interlibrary lending and document delivery as well as by local lending and uses them as the basis of its information services. The ZBW also engages in national and international projects to advance the development of new information services. The ZBW is a WTO depositary library and maintains a European Documentation Centre at both locations, in Kiel and Hamburg.

The numerous services of the ZBW comprise:

• ECONIS: Title records for indexed economics literature from all over the world. ECONIS is one of the world’s largest databases dedicated to economics.
• EconDesk: The reference service of the ZBW answers your questions on economic topics. Via chat, e-mail or telephone we will supply brief economic facts or provide librarians' assistance with your literature search, free of charge. You can also make a request for a detailed literature search with costs.
• EconBiz: The Virtual Library for Economics and Business Studies offers, among other things, a calendar of events in economics and an Internet Resources Directory.
• Document delivery: Among the various document delivery services of the ZBW are the electronic direct delivery service of subito and the GBV online interlibrary lending.
• ECONIS Select: A selection of literature on current issues in economic policy.
• Electronic Journals Database: Through the Electronic Journals Database you have access to full-texts in journals licensed by the ZBW.
• Databases: Access to databases to which the ZBW subscribes for your use.
• Wirtschaftsdienst and Intereconomics: The ZBW publishes the journals Wirtschaftsdienst and Intereconomics.