Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar

What Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar does

The Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar is a German charitable foundation under civil law (gemeinnützige Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts) that operates the world's largest publicly accessible collection of fantastic literature — more than 330,000 titles in German spanning fantasy, science fiction, horror, utopia/dystopia, fairy tales, sagas, adventure, and related secondary literature, periodicals, fanzines, dissertations, and author archives. Founded in 1987 and opened in 1989, since 2006 it has been housed in a Land Hessen-donated 1,500 sqm five-floor former state construction office at Turmstraße 20, Wetzlar, organized into themed rooms (Bilderbuch-Café, Kinder- und Jugendbibliothek, Fantasy, Phantastik, Horror, Science-Fiction, Utopien und Dystopien, Sekundärliteratur, Bibliophile, Forum Sprache & Literacy, multilingual children's literature). The underlying platform comprises a WebOpac online catalog plus the institution's own web shop, supported by the Phantastik-Bestenliste curated monthly list and educational tools such as the physical Sprach-Spiel-Casino (7 wooden rondelles, 5,000+ language-learning game cards).

Its primary customer base consists of the German general public (families, children, and literature enthusiasts) using free on-site lending; schools, Kitas, and pedagogical professionals served by the Zentrum für Literatur and Forum Sprache und Literacy; and a smaller corporate/innovation segment accessing the Future Life section, which provides futures scenarios and innovation workshops derived from the ~100,000 Science Fiction works in the collection (including an EFRE-funded project 2019–2021). The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, anchored on weekly Montagsmärchen, monthly Phantastischer Freitag readings, seasonal Lesesommer, the annual Wetzlarer Tage der Phantastik conference (42nd edition in 2026), birthday parties, library tours, and publications across series such as Phantastische Miniaturen and Edition Phantastische Bibliothek.

Revenue mechanics are non-commercial and distributed across seven streams: donations and Zustiftungen (the foundation holds ~€1.4M of endowment capital from 19 founding + 24 additional donors), public project grants from Land Hessen, City of Wetzlar, Sparkassenkulturstiftung Hessen-Thüringen, EFRE, and Hessisches Literaturforum, membership fees at €30/year via the Förderkreis, publication and Sprach-Spiel-Casino product sales via web shop, facility rentals (seminar rooms, fairy-tale room, hall), modest event admission pricing (€5–8), and commissioned research/futures-scenario consulting through Future Life. Lending itself is free of charge.

Name

Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar

Legal name

Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar

Website

https://phantastik.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar is a German charitable foundation operating the world's largest publicly accessible collection of fantastic literature (330,000+ German-language titles), serving the general public with free lending, schools and educators via the Zentrum für Literatur, and corporate clients through the Future Life futures-scenario consulting section.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialized Public Library

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Book Publishers (51313), Other Publishers (51319)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Special Libraries (Law, Medical, Corporate, Government) Operations (EDAEAGAD)

Keywords

• Specialized literature library
• Fantasy literature collection
• Literacy education programs
• Reading promotion services
• Cultural event programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Wetzlar

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Endowments: The library is a charitable foundation (gemeinnützige Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts) that relies heavily on donations and endowed funds (Zustiftungen). The foundation capital is approximately €1.4 million contributed by 19 founding donors and 24 additional donors. Tax-deductible donation receipts are issued.
2. Membership Fees: The Förderkreis Phantastik in Wetzlar e.V. charges an annual membership fee of at least €30, providing members reduced entry to events and a 10% discount on the library's scientific publication series.
3. Room Rental: The library rents out its seminar rooms, conference room, fairy tale room, and hall with projector and screen for events, meetings, and company outings at subsidized rates.
4. Professional Services and Consulting: Revenue is generated through teacher training workshops, seminars, guided tours for schools and daycares, and consulting services. The library also conducts commissioned research and futures scenario development for companies through its Future Life section.
5. Publication Sales: Sale of publications through the library's web shop including Phantastische Miniaturen (anthologies), Karl Mays Magischer Orient series, Edition junge Phantastik, Edition Phantastische Bibliothek, scientific series, and reading promotion materials. Shipping within Germany from €3.00, Europe from €5.00.
6. Project Funding and Grants: Funding from government bodies including the State of Hesse, City of Wetzlar, Sparkassenkulturstiftung Hessen-Thüringen, Sparkasse Wetzlar, Hessisches Literaturforum, Land Hessen, and others for specific projects such as Lesesommer, Wetzlarer Tage der Phantastik, and the EFRE-funded Future Life project.
7. Sprach-Spiel-Casino Sales: The Sprach-Spiel-Casino language game product is sold: rondelles at €60 each, individual game cards at €0.10 (or €0.18 laminated). Themed packages of 10–100 cards are delivered in attractive wooden rondelles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar operates a specialized public library holding the world's largest publicly accessible collection of fantastic literature (330,000+ titles across fantasy, science fiction, horror, fairy tales, utopias, and myths) and offers free lending, cultural events, educational workshops, school and daycare programs, corporate innovation consulting (Future Life), a proprietary language-learning game (Sprach-Spiel-Casino), literary awards, and publications sales, all delivered from a 1,500 sqm foundation-operated facility in Wetzlar, Germany.

Product overview

Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar is a specialized public library functioning as both a cultural institution and educational center, housing the world's largest publicly accessible collection of fantastic literature with over 330,000 titles (as of 2025). The library operates a unified core service combining physical collection access with educational programming. Key offerings include: the main library service (themed rooms covering fantasy, horror, science fiction, fairy tales, utopias/dystopias); educational departments (Zentrum für Literatur, Forum Sprache und Literacy, Future Life); social programs (Vorlesen in Familien); literacy events (Montagsmärchen, Lesesommer, Phantastischer Freitag); awards (HUCKEPACK Bilderbuchpreis, Phantastikpreis der Stadt Wetzlar); specialized tools (Sprach-Spiel-Casino); and publications (multiple series including Phantastische Miniaturen, Karl Mays Magischer Orient). The library also offers venue services including children's birthday parties, library tours, and meeting room rentals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Future Life: A section that extracts future-oriented ideas from science fiction literature to support innovation and foresight for businesses and organizations.
• Vorlesen in Familien
• Zentrum für Literatur
• Forum Sprache und Literacy
• HUCKEPACK Bilderbuchpreis
• Phantastikpreis der Stadt Wetzlar

Products and services

• Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar (Library Lending and Browsing Service) The world's largest publicly accessible library specializing in fantastic literature (fantasy, science fiction, horror, utopias, fairy tales, myths) with 330,000+ titles across multiple themed rooms; offers free lending to visitors with ID and serves as a cultural, educational, and scientific institution.
• Vorlesen in Familien (Reading in Families) Trains volunteer readers who visit families at home to read aloud to children, strengthening children's emotional well-being and supporting better social participation; targets families where reading aloud is not part of daily routine.
• Zentrum für Literatur (Center for Literature) Continuing-education center for teachers, daycare educators, parents, students, and library professionals in reading, literature, and language promotion across Hesse.
• Forum Sprache und Literacy (Forum Language and Literacy) Specialized library featuring pedagogical specialist literature, language learning games, and multilingual picture books and children's books; supports language development and multilingual education.
• Future Life Corporate Consulting Interdisciplinary section that systematically extracts innovative ideas from approximately 100,000 science fiction works to create future scenarios and innovation workshops for corporate clients and research institutions.
• Sprach-Spiel-Casino (Language Game Casino) A tower of seven wooden rondelles containing over 5,000 game cards for playing with the German language — vocabulary, letters, spelling, grammar, idioms, and literature — covering expression, grammar, creativity, reading, spelling, and German as a second language. Sold as rondelles at €60 each and individual cards at €0.10 (or €0.18 laminated); teacher training workshop priced at €33 per person.
• Bibliotheksführungen (Library Tours) Monthly free public tours plus paid themed tours for groups (daycare, school, adult). General tours (90 min) at €2/child, thematic tours (120 min) at €5/child, pedagogical tours for educators (2 hours) at €5/person.
• Kindergeburtstage (Children's Birthday Parties) Three-hour venue and program package for children in higher kindergarten and primary school age, accommodating up to 12 children. Themed options include monsters, witch & wizards, vampires, nixies, magic horses, school of magical animals. Package price €150.
• Thematische Bücherkisten (Thematic Book Boxes) Loanable book collections on fantastic and non-fantastic topics for daycare, school, or library projects. Custom topic collections can be assembled upon request.
• Publikationen (Publications) Publishing division offering multiple series: Phantastische Miniaturen (anthologies of fantastic short stories), Karl Mays Magischer Orient, Edition junge Phantastik, Edition Phantastische Bibliothek, scientific Schriftenreihe, and Leseförderung materials; sold via the library's web shop.
• Abrufangebote (On-Demand Workshops and Seminars) Custom seminars and workshops for daycares, schools, and professional conferences on topics such as current picture books, youth literature, creative writing, and fantastic literature in education.
• Wetzlarer Tage der Phantastik (Wetzlar Days of Phantastic) Annual interdisciplinary symposium held on the first weekend of September, bringing together fantasy enthusiasts and researchers from various disciplines and including the Phantastikpreis award ceremony.
• Bilderbuchschätze (Picture Book Treasures) Biannual list of 30 recommended picture books for kindergarten and elementary school picture book work, curated jointly with Stadtbibliothek Wetzlar and the Wetzlarer Jugendamt; includes short reviews and pedagogical suggestions.
• AG Jugendliteratur und Kreatives Schreiben (Youth Literature and Creative Writing Working Group) Workshop group for students in grades 7-13 interested in books and creative writing. Includes annual trips to the Frankfurt Book Fair, published online book reviews, and creative writing for competitions and fun.

Quantifiable outcome

• The library has been collecting fantastic literature since 1987, growing to 330,000+ titles, making it the world's largest publicly accessible collection in this genre.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stadtbibliothek WetzlarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual cooperative reading program 'Wetzlar liest – von Anfang an und überall' including the Lesesommer summer reading program for children aged 8–12. Jointly organizes the Bilderbuchschätze picture book selection and events.
• Bremer Institut für BilderbuchforschungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded the HUCKEPACK Bilderbuchpreis in 2016. The prize is awarded annually and endowed with €1,000 by pädagogischer verlag das netz. The award recognizes picture books that emotionally strengthen children.
• Wetzlarer Jugendamt (Youth Office)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperates on the 'Wetzlar liest – von Anfang an und überall' reading promotion program, Bilderbuchschätze selection (twice yearly), and joint events such as the Drachenfest dragon festival.
• OpenCultures-Projekt, TU BraunschweigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Future Life section serves as a practice partner (Praxispartner) of the OpenCultures project at TU Braunschweig, focused on culture and innovation research.
• Stadt Wetzlar (City of Wetzlar)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-awards the Phantastikpreis der Stadt Wetzlar (€4,000 annually since 1983/1984). Provides operational support and previously housed the library. Cooperates on various programs.
• Arbeitsgemeinschaft Literarischer Gesellschaften und Gedenkstätten e.V. (ALG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ALG is a national umbrella organization for literary societies and memorial sites in Germany. The library participates through its Hartmut-Vogel-Preis connection and broader literary engagement.
• Bundesverband Leseförderung e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational reading promotion association. The library's educational programs and the AJuM (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Jugendliteratur und Medien) activities align with the association's mission of ensuring children have access to literacy.
• Förderkreis Phantastik in Wetzlar e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1989 to support the library financially and through active assistance. Annual membership fee is €30. The association is recognized as charitable (gemeinnützig) and provides reduced event admission and a 10% discount on publications.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Internationale Jugendbibliothek München: International children's and youth literature library in Munich with curated programs and exhibitions. Direct peer: a publicly funded, mission-driven library specializing in a single literary domain, with strong educational programming and event-based GTM.
• Heinrich-Heine-Institut Düsseldorf: City-affiliated literary archive and museum dedicated to a single German author, with exhibitions and educational programs. Comparable as a publicly funded, single-focus literary archive offering programming and public access.
• Literaturhaus Berlin: Berlin literary institution combining author events, exhibitions, and a specialized literary venue. Comparable as a foundation/non-profit literary institution hosting readings, festivals, and themed programming with a specific literary focus.
• Stiftung Lesen: National German reading-promotion foundation that ran the Deutscher Lesepreis program which awarded Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar in 2020. Direct peer in mission: drives reading-promotion programs nationwide, partners with public libraries and municipalities, and operates on donations plus public grants.
• Literaturhaus München: Munich literary house running author readings, festivals, and themed programs. Direct peer in mission and operating model: a city-based literary institution that monetizes events, prizes, and cultural programming around literature.
• Science Fiction Foundation (UK): UK charity maintaining a major science fiction research library at the University of Liverpool. Direct peer: the most analogous international institution — a charitable foundation running a science fiction / speculative fiction collection and offering public-facing programming.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche Nationalbibliothek: Germany's national library, collecting all German-language publications including a significant fantastic literature corpus. Comparable as the largest general-audience library authority in the country and as a publicly funded cultural institution.
• Bayerische Staatsbibliothek: Major Bavarian state library with extensive literary and historical special collections. Comparable for scale of state-supported library operations, exhibition programming, and digital catalog services.
• Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin: One of Germany's largest state libraries with extensive special collections including literary archives. Comparable as a publicly funded special-collections library with educational programming and cultural-event programming.
• British Library: UK national library with extensive special literary collections including fantasy and science fiction archives. Comparable as a national-scale publicly funded library with special collections, exhibitions, and event programming, useful as a benchmark for institutional scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PhanBibWZ
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@phantastischebibliothek3208
• Facebookfacebook.com/Phantastische.Bibliothek.Wetzlar
• Instagraminstagram.com/phantastische_bibliothek
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phantastische-bibliothek-wetzlar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Phantastische Bibliothek Wetzlar