A Volkshochschule (VHS, adult education center) is a non-profit organization for adult and further education, that is financed by the public sector. Despite their name, German Volkshochschulen are no colleges or universities in the proper sense, but are part of the quarternary education sector. Their manifold and comparatively inexpensive education offerings in the fields of career, foreign languages, society, health and cultural life are open to all population groups regardless of their level of education. The education training is realized in the form of classes, single seminars, compact seminars or study trips. Many classes or seminars are especially adjusted to the needs of employed people and therefore take place in the evenings or at the weekends. Usually, a prior obligatory registration for the participation in the course of interest is required (in written form, by phone, via the respective homepage or in person at the VHS‘s). If you are interested in one of the courses you should register as soon as possible because the “first come – first serve“ rule applies. However, presentations or readings usually require no prior registration.

Bamberg’s Volkshochschule is centrally located in Tränkgasse 4. Their current program, information on fees and the option to register online can be found on the VHS’s website.

Bamberg’s public library consists of the central office “Deutches Haus“ („Hauptstelle Deutsches Haus“), located on Königsstraße, and three further branch offices. There, one can borrow novels, non-fiction books, children’s books, audiobooks and literature in foreign languages. The offer also includes the borrowing of board games, newspapers and magazines, audio CDs, DVDs and Nintendo DS games. For a library card to be issued, a personal registration is required by presenting your personal identity card or passport together with an official proof of residence (“Meldebescheinigung“). One can choose between a validity period of three months or one year, the fees vary accordingly and depend in addition on the applicant’s age and his/her profession. After having received the library card, the card holder may use all library’s offers without restrictions or additional fees, including the use of the internet at one of the workstations (one hour per day is free of charge). However, there will be extra costs if the borrowed items are not returned by the due date nor the lending period is extended accordingly. Please find further information on the media stock, opening hours, fees, lending periods and current events on the library’s website.

The language center of the University of Bamberg offers a large number of different language courses, among them courses in German as a foreign language on different levels. Target audience are international exchange and bachelor students, but international doctoral candidates and internationa (guest) scientiest are also more than welcome. The courses are free of charge. Please find an overview of all courses classified by language families on the UnivIS website. Courses start at the beginning of each semester and require a registration via FlexNow.

You may find an overview of all Catholic, Protestant and Jewish communities, Free Churches and Islamic cultural associations on the City of Bamberg’s website under the topic “Kirche und Religion in Bamberg“. From there, you reach the respective facilities‘ websites and can find out about contact persons, locations and events.