Training as an academic librarian

The theoretical training takes place parallel to the practical training in the form of the postgraduate distance learning program in library and information science with fixed attendance portions at the Institute for Library and Information Science at the Humboldt University in Berlin.

For all Hessian trainee librarians, practical courses are held both centrally and decentrally at the libraries of the Hessian library network.

The training is completed with the Master of Arts (Library and Information Science) and the Hessian career examination for the higher service.

Due to the close integration of theory and practice, as a trainee you will pass through the various departments of the Kassel University Library. In addition, you will be taught specialist knowledge both on site by library staff and through distance learning in Berlin. While in the first year of training you will gain an insight into the work processes in the individual departments, in the second year of training you can set individual focal points, e.g. in the specialist department, in research-related services or in state library tasks. These can also be deepened as part of the master's thesis.

As a trainee librarian, you will also gain special insights into the organizational processes as well as the content-related and structural development processes within the library and the university.

The selection of student teachers and trainee teachers is made by the Kassel University Library, to which the application should be sent directly. The advertisements are published at the beginning of every second year. The application deadline is March 31, and the hiring date is October 1 of each year.

For the library traineeship, you should have completed a university degree (Master's, Magister, Diplom, Staatsexamen) in a suitable subject. In addition, you must meet the requirements for appointment as a civil servant  on revocation (including maximum age 40 years, EU citizenship). Media skills, service orientation and organizational skills as well as IT knowledge are also desirable.

The legal basis for training in Hesse is the training and examination regulations for the higher academic service in academic libraries in the state of Hesse.

The working hours are 41 hours per week. The employees of the University Library participate in flexitime, so that the individual working time can be flexibly arranged within the framework of the flexitime regulations.

The remuneration is based on the Hessian salary for candidates in the higher civil service (HBesG AW A13).

The field of activity of academic librarians includes both scientific and organizational tasks:

As a subject librarian, you are responsible for the selection, subject indexing and communication of specialist literature in a wide range of academic subjects and are thus an important link between research and the library. You will also be responsible for teaching information literacy to researchers and students. The area of research-related services is a growing field of activity for academic librarians.

As an academic librarian, you will also take on management tasks, develop new concepts and services, and carry out projects.

For more information on training and career entry, visit the website of the Association of German Librarians (VDB).

A trainee librarian should enjoy providing and continuously developing services. Since digital services are playing an increasing role in libraries, a certain level of media competence and IT affinity should also be present.