Michael Becht, MA – Augsburg University Library, Social Sciences Branch

Professional background & career.

It started when my wife said, “Look, you can also tick librarian.” I, in my mid-thirties, married, studying archaeology and looking for a career change, just thought: “Why not?” But let’s-try-it quickly turned into I-want-to and why-didn’t-I-do-this-earlier?

To my delight, I got one of the coveted places on the bachelor's degree program in "Library and Information Management" at the University of Bavaria for the Public Service and learned about the "craft" from all sides in four theoretical and two practical semesters. Dedicated lecturers showed us the diversity of the profession and a caring internship library showed us the warmth of the industry. I graduated in 2022 and my streak of luck continued: I was offered a position at the Augsburg University Library. I've been working there ever since. Between counter service, IK, FDM and public relations, I found my dream job. I am very interested in new and varied tasks, and fortunately I am able to actually get involved in the places where I can contribute best and (for me too) in the most rewarding way.

Find out more about the Augsburg University Library here.
Photo credit for featured image Michael Becht: private author

Personal experiences.

Let me tell you about a typical working day: making coffee in the morning, checking emails, answering a few questions. Oh, there's a meeting today - public relations, discussing some drafts I've prepared. I'm curious to see what others say about it. Then a short exchange with the colleagues in the department: new interns would have to be shown around, and a school class - no problem, I'll take care of it. Then in the afternoon there is counter service: “Can you help me?” asks a student. Of course, with pleasure, that's why I'm here.

Every day is different and brings with it new tasks and encounters. Hours in which I can quietly write texts, prepare training courses and create designs alternate with work on the shelves and direct contact at the counter. I don't want to miss any of these aspects. Variatio delectat – indeed.

Special moments, well, there are the little ones and the big ones. When on a stressful day when a lot is happening and needs to be done, a short email comes in from a professor: “Thank you for your great service! It’s nice that you exist!”, then you’ll be reminded why you get up every day – for our users, for the people who come to us every day.

Meaning & added value.

In the university library we are the interface between science and service. We provide students with literature, introductions and textbooks from the first semester onwards. We help you with your scientific work up to your doctorate by obtaining the latest scientific literature. We help teachers and professors with their teaching activities, set up semester and reference reserves, and buy literature that fits their research focus.

In short: The library is a pivotal point in the university's academic activities, from first-year students to professors emeritus. We support the generation of tomorrow in their studies and careers, offering basic orientation and tailor-made solutions. We promote their information and media skills, encourage critical and independent thinking, and show solution approaches and strategies. The focus is usually on helping people help themselves.

But this mission also extends beyond the members of the university. Our doors are open to everyone who comes to our library, alumni, local residents and those who have traveled far and wide. Students play a special role for us: we introduce the students of tomorrow to the “library” concept before they begin their studies and reduce fears and thresholds.

Recommendations.

The cliché of a librarian - a quiet, withdrawn person between dusty shelves - couldn't be more wrong, and yet somehow it's true. In truth, there is no such thing as a librarian, because as different as the activities are, so are the people who carry them out. Some work is carried out primarily at a desk, behind the scenes. Other colleagues are constantly in the spotlight, openly visible and approachable. Many people – including myself – are looking for a mix of both aspects.

Accordingly, a lot and a little can be said about ideal characteristics that one should have. Just this much: a certain love of order and structure doesn't hurt, because many activities require technical precision. You should also have a basic sympathy for your fellow human beings.

You should also be open to the developments and trends of the time. Technology and innovation, not least in the IT sector, have shaped librarianship for more than 50 years and have fundamentally changed work and the profession. This will continue to happen, be it through new approaches and concepts, artificial intelligence or a community that is growing ever closer together.

Dialogue is therefore one of the librarian’s most important tools. Internally, in collegial exchange and professional training, and externally with users, guests and interested parties.

Developments & future prospects.

Digital change does not stop at libraries. More and more books and magazines are finding their way into our collections in electronic form, and fewer and fewer in printed form. Whether you think this is a good thing or not, it fundamentally changes the activities and possibilities in the library. Empty shelves make room for new reading places, students are using the reading room more and more as a place to work and study, sometimes staying there all day.

But for every book that is not on the shelf, two others become available electronically, often in open access. Medieval manuscripts and early prints are being digitized and are freely accessible to everyone on the Internet.

Never before have you had access to so much information, books and publications. So many that you have to be careful not to get lost. And librarians will continue to play an important role in the future, as pilots in the sea of ​​information.

We support the generation of tomorrow in their studies and careers, offering basic orientation and tailor-made solutions. We promote their information and media skills, encourage critical and independent thinking, and show solution approaches and strategies. The focus is usually on helping people help themselves.