Susann Brauns, specialist for media and information services (FaMI) - Hamburg book buses of the Hamburg book halls

Professional background & career.

I was (like probably a large part of the library staff) an avid user of the Rostock city library as a child.
I have always loved reading and it was like winning the lottery when I was able to start my training as a specialist in media and information services at the Hamburg State Library in 1999. After 3 years of training, I moved to the Helmut Schmidt University, University of the Bundeswehr and worked there for 13 years. In 2019 I got the chance to start over at Bücherhallen Hamburg.
I was able to get my truck license so I could drive the book bus. The bus is classified as a special vehicle and has a truck chassis. That's why you need a class C driving license. The opportunities for further training that the library offers me as my employer are enormous. And I am very grateful for that. We are encouraged and challenged here.

Find out more about the Hamburg book buses here.
Photo credit for featured image by Susann Braun: © Philipp Reiss

Personal experiences.

In my opinion, I have one of the nicest jobs a person can have in the library sector.
I work on the book bus at the Hamburg library. What I love about my job is that I get to be outside all day. During the day we drive to various stops (mostly schools and/or daycare centers in the morning) and in the afternoon we are on the road for regular rental services. Every day is different. You never know what the parking situation is like, what kind of customers are coming to visit us, who has what worries or who is really happy at the moment. Everything is communicated, we are basically like a small corner shop. It's small but super comfortable, we always have the latest media on board and our customers are happy that we come to them. We offer many events in “our” schools, which we support either with or without a bus. There are also picture book cinemas and events in Hamburg such as “The Long Night of Literature”, where a Hamburg author reads on the book bus. In 2024 we will be giving away a reading to our customers for the second time, where the bus will come home with a Hamburg author and read exclusively for the winner.

Meaning & added value.

We take the bus to schools where there is a high proportion of children with a migrant background.
And this is where we are very important as part of the library community and an enrichment, especially for the children. With us you come into contact with the medium of books, begin to read and become interested in stories. We primarily support the teachers with the help of boxes of books on specific topics that we bring with us.
The Hamburg Book Halls offer various events that take place in the individual district book halls. These include, for example, dialogue in German, poems for elves, homework help and reading to children. The silver and smart project addresses older people.

Recommendations.

Because it is one of the most beautiful jobs.
People have virtually unlimited access to knowledge, adventure, imagination and excitement. It's fun to recommend books, search for suitable titles and fulfill wishes. But you should consider whether your home will be the scientific or the classic city library.
I first took the academic route and then later got bored. But I found my personal calling in the public library and especially on the book bus. Teamwork is essential, especially in my small work environment. People have to be able to rely on each other and resolve small disagreements immediately, as we spend around 10 hours a day together in a very small space.

Working in a library (whether academic or public) is important for the community.
But we have to adapt to the changing times and offer much more than just the book. That's why the Hamburg Central Library at Hühnerposten is also the second living room for the people of Hamburg. There you can linger, read, learn, drink coffee and eat a piece of cake, and there are many events and exhibitions on offer. All district libraries are a learning space, an oasis of calm, an adventure playground... we are there for everyone, big and small.