German National Library of Science and Technology

German National Library of Science and Technology
Christian A. Schröder (ChristianSchd) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	German National Library of Science and Technology
Location	Hanover, Germany
Established	1959

German National Library of Science and Technology, also known as the Technische Informationsbibliothek (TIB), is a major library and information center for science, technology, and engineering in Germany. The library is closely linked with the University of Hanover and the Leibniz University Hannover, and it cooperates with other major institutions such as the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Max Planck Society, and the Fraunhofer Society. The library's collections and services are also used by researchers from other institutions, including the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

● Introduction

The German National Library of Science and Technology is one of the largest and most important libraries of its kind in the world, with a collection of over 9 million items, including books, journals, patents, and electronic resources. The library's mission is to provide access to scientific literature and information for researchers, students, and industry professionals, and to support the development of science and technology in Germany and beyond. The library is a member of the International Council for Scientific and Technical Information (ICSTI) and cooperates with other major libraries and information centers, such as the Library of Congress, the British Library, and the National Library of France. The library also participates in international projects, such as the European Library and the World Digital Library, and it is a partner of the European Commission's Horizon 2020 program.

● History

The German National Library of Science and Technology was founded in 1959 as a central library for science and technology in Germany. The library's early development was influenced by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German Research Foundation (DFG), and it was initially located in the University of Hanover's main building. In the 1960s and 1970s, the library experienced rapid growth, with the addition of new collections and services, including a patent collection and a technical information service. The library also became a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Association of European Research Libraries (LIBER). In the 1980s and 1990s, the library underwent significant modernization, with the introduction of electronic cataloging and online databases, and it became a major partner of the European Union's Framework Programmes for research and development.

● Collections

The German National Library of Science and Technology has a vast collection of scientific literature and information resources, including over 9 million books, journals, patents, and electronic resources. The library's collections cover a wide range of subjects, including physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and computer science, and they are particularly strong in areas such as materials science, nanotechnology, and biotechnology. The library also has a large collection of patents and technical standards, including documents from the European Patent Office (EPO), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The library's electronic resources include databases, e-journals, and e-books from major publishers such as Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley-VCH.

● Services

The German National Library of Science and Technology offers a wide range of services to support researchers, students, and industry professionals, including literature searches, document delivery, and interlibrary loan. The library also provides training and consulting services, including workshops and seminars on information literacy and research skills. The library's online services include a catalog and databases for searching and accessing electronic resources, as well as tools for citation management and bibliometrics. The library also participates in international networks and consortia, such as the ORCID initiative and the DataCite consortium, to support the development of open access and open science.

● Organization

The German National Library of Science and Technology is a public institution, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the State of Lower Saxony. The library is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from the University of Hanover, the Leibniz University Hannover, and other major research institutions in Germany. The library is also advised by a scientific advisory board, which includes experts from industry and academia. The library has a staff of over 500 employees, including librarians, information specialists, and IT professionals, and it is organized into several departments, including collections, services, and IT.

● Buildings_and_Locations

The German National Library of Science and Technology is located in Hanover, Germany, and it has several buildings and locations throughout the city. The library's main building is located on the University of Hanover's campus, and it includes a large reading room, stacks, and office space. The library also has several branch libraries and deposit libraries located throughout Germany, including in Berlin, Munich, and Stuttgart. The library's buildings are equipped with modern technology and infrastructure, including Wi-Fi, computers, and scanners, and they offer a range of study spaces and meeting rooms for researchers and students. The library is also a partner of the European University Institute (EUI) and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG), and it participates in international projects and initiatives, such as the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) and the Global Research Council (GRC).