Kim Nitschke – Volunteer at the University and State Library of Saxony-Anhalt

Professional background & career.

I have currently been a volunteer at the University and State Library in Halle since October 2023. But my librarian career began much earlier. In 2018 I started as a student assistant in the ULB Halle warehouse and worked there for four years alongside my literary studies. I've always wanted to do something with books, as the saying goes. But my work as an assistant showed me that the library is so much more than just books and that there is so much exciting stuff there. And so I decided that I wanted to work in a library. After graduating, I went north. In 2022 I was hired as an employee in the small town library in Zingst. There I was faced with new challenges. Not only was I a career changer, but until then I had only known work in an academic library. Nevertheless, I was quickly allowed to take on some tasks. In a small library everyone does everything, but areas like event planning and financial overview were my main tasks. So after eight months I became deputy head of the library. But when the traineeship at the ULB Halle was advertised again, I had to take this opportunity to further my training in the library world.

Hier mehr über die Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt erfahren.
Bildnachweis Beitragsbild Kim Nitschke: © Uwe Hämsch / Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt

Personal experiences.

Was ich am meisten an der Bibliotheksarbeit schätze, ist, wie sehr einem immer und immer wieder gezeigt wird, dass Bibliothek eben mehr als ihr Stereotyp ist. Man arbeitet eben nicht mehr nur mit Büchern. Es geht von Programmierübungen für Grundschulkinder mit BeeBots bis hin zu Forschungsdatenmanagement.
Eine Veranstaltung, die ich mir aus meiner Zeit in der Stadtbibliothek Zingst immer wieder gerne ins Gedächtnis rufe, war die Nachlese zur Leipziger Buchmesse 2023. Zusammen mit einer Kollegin bin ich nach Leipzig zur Buchmesse gefahren, um dort einen Einblick in die neuesten Erscheinungen des Buchmarkts zu bekommen, aber auch um Bücher und andere Medien zu entdecken, die nicht im Mainstream zu finden sind. Danach haben wir unsere Lieblingsfunde vor einer großen Runde an Interessierten vorstellen dürfen. Es war die perfekte Fusion von Arbeit und privater Passion.
Jetzt in der ULB Halle war es ein ganz besonderes Gefühl, selbst Einführungen für Studierende in der Zweigbibliothek zu geben, in der ich selbst während meines Studiums die meiste Zeit verbracht habe. Gefühlt noch gestern, habe ich selbst an dieser Einführung teilgenommen und plötzlich befinde ich mich auf der anderen Seite.

Meaning & added value.

Library work is fundamentally extremely user-oriented and tries to cover and support as many needs as possible. Since there are many different types of users, the range of services on offer is correspondingly large. What I find particularly exciting is the ever-increasing turn to open access and, in the same context, the many digitization projects. Accessibility as a core task of libraries is being completely rethought.

Recommendations.

Library work is as diverse as the people who work in this area. Of course, there are basic tasks like cataloging or counter service. Nevertheless, at least based on my previous positions, I also see a lot of potential to contribute my own strengths and interests. In addition, work is constantly changing. I therefore see adaptability and flexibility as important skills.

Developments & future prospects.

The Open Access movement will continue to have a major impact on the library world. In my opinion, books will never completely disappear from libraries, but they will continue to move out of focus. The changing needs of users will also continue to shape the library's services. The change towards the library as a learning space or third place is already causing us to rethink workplaces and the presentation (or non-presentation) of inventory.

There are many ways one can enter the library world. That's why you shouldn't be discouraged if it doesn't work right away.