Vincent Ruppel-Reprostelle, digitization, instant delivery services in the State Library of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Günther Uecker

Professional background & career.

After completing my bachelor's degree in history and political science, I was faced with the challenge of finding a secure professional perspective that made it possible for me to contribute my interest in education, knowledge and, above all, history. The solution was closer than I thought: the library!

Where I had spent countless hours during my studies, I saw a chance to start my professional career. So I applied for training positions for a family across Germany and was very lucky to be able to complete my training in the State Library of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Schwerin.

The varied work with the users, the fascinating historical stocks that literally breathe history, and the great team on site immediately inspired me. After my training and a short interlude in another library, I was drawn back to Schwerin, to my Alma Mater, the state library.

Here learned more about the State Library of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Günther Uecker.
Photo credits Article Vincent Ruppel: © Landesbibliothek Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Günther Uecker

Personal experiences.

In our library, a real treasure is waiting for everyone who is interested in our state: a rich inventory of books and writings that give deep insights into the history and culture of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Sometimes I even have the feeling that I don't have to leave the library to learn everything about our beautiful state.
Of course that's a bit exaggerated. But in my daily work I take up so much knowledge about our country that I can sometimes provide information about places and your sights from the merchant.

But they are also the special moments that make working with historical stocks so enriching. The bright colors in a 300 -year -old book, the smell of old paper - all of this always fascinates me.

A very special moment was for me when I was allowed to cut a work from the 18th century. The feeling of being the first person since the manufacture of the book that sees its content was incredible.

The book sponsor project is also a great pleasure for me. Here, private individuals, companies and institutions have the opportunity to support the restoration of a book and thus immortalize themselves in the historical inventory of the state library.
One of my tasks is to photograph the books in the unrestored state. These photos are then published on our website and gave interested parties an impression of the valuable works. Once a book has been restored, I also document the condition afterwards. From a photographic point of view, it is an exciting challenge to create good and comparable before and after photos. And when I unpack the restored books, it is like gifts every time!

Meaning & added value.

For me, especially during my studies, libraries were always places of progress. Here was learned, worked and researched. Often it was the library staff who were able to help me in crucial places in my studies. At this point I would like to thank the colleagues of the Sub Göttingen and the DNB Leipzig again!

As a library employee, I am therefore all the more pleased if I can help other people exactly as I was helped back then. If I can support you in finding or providing information that you can do in your scientific work or perhaps also in your personal or professional development, then the social added value of libraries is noticeable for me and I feel confirmed in my decision to work in the library world.

Library staff are possible! Without quick delivery services, databases and opposite loan, scientific work can stall. And without a well -stocked range of different fiction and children's books, it would be much more expensive and complex for many people to read something in the evening or to browse something in the evening in a book.

Recommendations.

In my view, employees in libraries act as an interface between the media and information on the one hand and the users on the other. Whether active or passive, all contribute to the fact that users find the appropriate media and information for you. At the end of this process there is a sense of achievement and ideally an added value for society as a whole. Isn't that enriching?

Libraries can differ greatly from each other. It is therefore advisable to think about the type of library before choosing a career. Interested parties can gain insight into different work areas - preferably several - internships and thus better decide which type of library suits you.

Developments & future prospects.

Libraries, both scientific and public, must - in my opinion - develop more and more into "third places". This is all the more true because the demand for printed media disappears. The book will not disappear in the long run, but libraries should create more space for learning and job opportunities as well as for relaxation. Such changes are lengthy processes, which is why it is all the more important to set the course for the future today.
Scientific libraries in particular will remain locations of concentrated work. The design of these places must therefore be even more geared towards supporting this function in the future.

Libraries offer a variety of work areas and thus also the perfect workplace for many different personalities - and that with real added value for society!

 

Of course, teamwork in libraries is essential. But introverted people can also find their luck here: for example in cataloging or database care. On the other hand, if you like to deal with people, you can advise users at the counter and help you find information. And for everyone who sees themselves more between these two poles, there is a good mix of activities.

 

Libraries are places where people with different strengths and talents come together, make an important contribution together and make as much more than one might suspect at first glance.