University Library: New look and a pinch of team spirit
For a few months now, our university library has not only been shining in new splendor, there has also been news behind the scenes. Several departments have received active support from eleven new employees.
In light-flooded offices, between screens, colorful post-its and tidy desks, a newly growing team meets that is so much more than just a professional working community with the same motivation and vision. The fact that there are several onboarding processes at the same time means that everyone supports each other much more intensively and becomes familiar with each other more quickly - everyone is “in the same boat”, so to speak. And if there are any questions, the colleagues, some of whom have been part of the UB team since 1983, are there to provide friendly and patient advice and support. Nicole Wellhöfer from the assistance area says about her first few days: “For me, starting at the UB was a big change. I came from a small team of five in an open-plan office. Here I have my own realm and have gained around 55 new, friendly colleagues. After my first tour of the building with Ms. Thomas, my head was buzzing with names and faces. A few weeks ago, I gave Ms. Kröber myself a tour of the building as a new colleague. Everyone gave me a really warm welcome and is always ready to answer any question, no matter how big or small, about the library world, which is new but exciting for me.”
Step by step, things are becoming more colorful and diverse in Building 30. From employees who already have a smile on their face at 7 a.m., to those who can list the library's numerical holdings in a few seconds or those who regularly overcome technical hurdles and thus constantly demonstrate their expertise - together they master everyday life in the library, often without the visitors being able to see them. They coordinate deadlines to be met, numerous phone calls, promising new acquisitions, well-maintained appointment calendars or even unexpected disasters - while occasionally surprising colleagues with homemade cheesecake. Maybe you'll be lucky and meet one or the other of the “hidden” happy minds at the “Long Night of Academic Work” on April 4, 2025 from 6 to 10 p.m. in our OVGU library.
Lots of warmth and appreciation
“I started working at the University Library in July 2024. Ms. Thomas gave me a tour of the library on my first day. I was totally overwhelmed by the multitude of impressions I was presented with,” recalls economist Jenny Bergmann. “I just thought to myself: 'Wow, there's another aisle ... and another one ... there's more here too? With so many new impressions, I was a little nervous at first, but I was welcomed with so much warmth, appreciation and positive energy - regardless of whether it was about personal concerns or organizational and content-related issues in the department itself. I'm really grateful for how much time everyone took and how much patience and openness I was shown. My work area was already very well structured. My tasks were perfectly matched to my working hours. I had a pleasant start without feeling like I was drowning in a huge mountain of tasks.”
If you ask Library Director Linda Thomas what she thinks about the newly “replenished” office situation, she smiles: “Just recently, there was a moment when two colleagues threw little questions at each other across the short distance from their offices opposite each other and were able to answer them productively, accompanied by quiet giggles and cheerfulness. I thought how nice it is that all the offices are finally filled with life and good humor again.”
In 'uni:magazin, library staff show where their favorite place is in the redesigned university library.
Text: CARINA KRÖBER/ LINDA THOMAS