Completed projects
Renovation and refurbishment of the central library and the former learning center
In cooperation with two students from the Department of Architecture, an initial concept for the renovation and conversion of the central library was developed in fall 2021. The aim was to interlink the previously separate library and learning center areas and at the same time use the entire space for additional individual and group workstations.
The project was implemented during the semester break in summer 2022 with the renovation of the floor and the upgrading of the shelving system and former library space, as well as the merging of the library and learning center areas into one unit. The final point was the implementation of the circulation desk as a clearly visible contact point directly in the entrance area of the library. The construction work was completed on schedule within 10 weeks.
Project duration: 2021 to 2022
Project status: Completed
Conversion of workplace libraries into reference collections
The Hessian Higher Education Act stipulates that academic libraries must be organized according to the principle of functional unidirectionality. Personal libraries or institute libraries are therefore not permitted. At the same time, preparatory work must be carried out for a new library system. This includes, for example, a clean-up of the data stocks. For this reason, the existing so-called workplace libraries must be reworked. The conversion is carried out in direct cooperation with the respective owner of the workplace library.
Project duration: 2015 to 2021
Status: Completed
Creation of an image video for the h_da libraries in cooperation with the Media department
In order to publicize the services of the library at the height of the Corona pandemic, an image video was created in cooperation with the Media department. The video can be viewed here:
Project duration: August to October 2020
Status: Completed
The changeover from EAN to RFID booking simplifies and reduces the work processes for borrowing, returning and checking in media. RFID booking allows media to be checked out and unchecked out or returned and checked in in one step instead of two. At the same time, several media can be booked in at once due to the large scanning range.
The introduction of RFID meant the complete physical reworking of the library collections (sticking on and converting the RFID chips) of all four h_da libraries. In addition, new self-bookers and security gates were purchased and implemented for each library.
The benefits for library users include faster borrowing and return times and greater convenience when using our self-services.
Status: Completed
Project duration: November 2019 to fall 2023
Integration of the Chemistry and Biotechnology Branch Library (CuB) into the Central Library and dissolution of the branch library
In summer 2017, the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology (CuB) was given a new building (Building B15) on the central campus. The previous locations in Hochschulstraße and Lichtwiese were dissolved and merged into the new building. The Chemistry and Biotechnology Branch Library located in Hochschulstraße was also closed. The holdings of the branch library had previously been extensively updated and converted to the Regensburg Union Classification (RVK). The media collection was then gradually moved to the central campus during ongoing operations and integrated into the central library's collection.
Project duration: fall 2016 - summer 2017
Status: completed in July 2017
Equipping the central library and the Dieburg branch library with toys and baby changing facilities
Balancing studies and family life is not always easy. To make it easier for students with children to study and work at the university, the learning tower in the Central Library and the Dieburg Branch Library have been equipped with a children's corner. There are toys, coloring paper and crayons as well as children's books for the youngest visitors to the libraries. The proximity to the student workstations allows parents to study and work while supervising their children at the same time. Changing facilities have also been created.
Project duration: 2015/2016
Status: completed in summer 2016
Search and find better: HeBIS Discovery System (HDS)
The use of the Internet and media has changed drastically in recent years. The existing library catalogs for searching for media and information are less and less able to meet these demands. Solutions have therefore been developed to make searching library collections more "Google- or Amazon-like". An innovative portal solution including Resource Discovery Service (RDS) was created for the libraries of the HeBIS network as part of a state-wide cooperation within the HeBIS network. It has replaced the previous online catalog. Both the printed and all digital library holdings and database content can now be searched via a common search interface (such_da).
Further information on the project and its further developments can be found on the HeBiS network website.
Project duration: 2011 - 2016
Status: completed in March 2016
Creation of an open access fund at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
On 01.09.2015, President Prof. Dr. Ralph Stengler signed the "Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities" on behalf of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. At the same time, the Presidential Board published an Open Access Resolution for Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, in which all academics are encouraged to publish in the spirit of Open Access. These measures were supported by the creation of an Open Access fund to promote publications by Darmstadt academics. Further information can be found on our Open Access pages.
Project duration: 2015
Status: completed in September 2015
Introduction of the new RDA rules
The abbreviation RDA stands for "Resource Description and Access" and is the title of a standard or bibliotherapeutic set of rules for the cataloging of resources in libraries, archives and museums, which was developed as the successor to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2). The RDA are geared towards the digital world and offer a flexible framework for describing both analog and digital resources. After years of preparation, RDA was introduced in German libraries in fall 2015. RDA replaces the previous rules for alphabetical cataloging (RAK); from October 2015, cataloging will only take place according to RDA.
This project mainly affected internal work processes. Further information can be found on the German National Library's website.
Project duration: approx. 2004 - 2015
Status: completed at the end of 2015
Reconstruction of the service areas in the Central Library
After the opening of the Learning Center, the routes taken by students changed: The majority of Central Library users entered the library through the Learning Centre, which led to increased staffing requirements and organizational problems. At the same time, new shelf space had to be provided for the upcoming integration of the Chemistry and Biotechnology Departmental Library in 2017. The previous circulation desk was merged with the information desk and moved to the passageway to the learning center. The workstations in the Central Library were moved to the location of the previous information desk in order to provide sufficient space for new additional shelving. The new shelves for the integration of the CuB library were installed. The previous main entrance to the central library was converted into an emergency exit only.
Project duration: August - November 2015
Status: completed in November 2015
Extension of the central library in Schöfferstraße to include learning rooms (so-called learning center)
The library rooms in Schöfferstraße (Building D 10) have been extended to include individual and group study rooms, a training room, a workstation for the visually impaired and a lounge corner. More information on this in issue 13 of campusD.
Project duration: 2012 - 2014
Status: completed in September 2014
Extension of the Dieburg branch library with additional study rooms and equipping all workstations with power connections
The workstations in the Dieburg branch library (Dieburg campus, building F25) were expanded by five individual/group study rooms due to high demand. In addition, all workstations were retrofitted with power connections.
Project duration: July - September 2014
Status: completed in September 2014