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.

Hier mehr über die Landesbibliothek Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Günther Uecker erfahren.
Bildnachweis Beitragsbild Vincent Ruppel: © Landesbibliothek Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Günther Uecker

Personal experiences.

In unserer Bibliothek wartet ein wahrer Schatz auf alle, die sich für unser Bundesland interessieren: Ein reichhaltiger Bestand an Büchern und Schriften, der tiefe Einblicke in die Geschichte und Kultur Mecklenburg- Vorpommerns ermöglicht. Manchmal habe ich sogar das Gefühl, ich müsste die Bibliothek gar nicht verlassen, um alles über unsere schönes Bundesland zu erfahren.
Natürlich ist das ein bisschen übertrieben. Aber in meiner täglichen Arbeit nehme ich so viel Wissen über unser Land auf, dass ich bisweilen aus dem Stegreif Auskunft über Orte und ihre Sehenswürdigkeiten geben kann, in denen ich selbst noch nie war.

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.

Eine große Freude ist mir auch das Buchpatenprojekt. Hier haben Privatpersonen, Firmen und Institutionen die Möglichkeit, die Restaurierung eines Buches zu unterstützen und sich so im historischen Bestand der Landesbibliothek zu verewigen.
Zu meinen Aufgaben gehört es, die Bücher im unrestaurierten Zustand zu fotografieren. Diese Fotos werden dann auf unserer Website veröffentlicht und geben Interessierten einen Eindruck von den wertvollen Werken. Ist ein Buch restauriert worden, dokumentiere ich auch den Zustand danach. Aus fotografischer Sicht ist es eine spannende Herausforderung, gute und vergleichbare Vorher-Nachher-Fotos zu erstellen. Und wenn ich die restaurierten Bücher dann auspacke, ist das jedes Mal wie Geschenke auspacken!

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.

Bibliotheken, sowohl wissenschaftliche als auch öffentliche, müssen sich – meiner Meinung nach – immer stärker zu „Dritten Orten“ entwickeln. Das gilt umso mehr, da die Nachfrage nach gedruckten Medien schwindet. Das Buch wird zwar auf lange Sicht nicht verschwinden, aber Bibliotheken sollten mehr Raum für Lern- und Arbeitsmöglichkeiten sowie für Erholung schaffen. Solche Umstellungen sind langwierige Prozesse, weswegen es umso wichtiger ist, heute schon richtig die Weichen für die Zukunft zu stellen.
Insbesondere Wissenschaftliche Bibliotheken werden weiterhin Orte des konzentrierten Arbeitens bleiben. Die Gestaltung dieser Orte muss daher zukünftig noch stärker darauf ausgerichtet sein, diese Funktion optimal zu unterstützen.

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.