Your feedback - our answers

This includes the number of group study rooms at the Emil-Figge-Str. 44 (EFS) location, which many felt was too small. We have made improvements in this area and created an additional group study room by converting the former reception room. We now have a total of five rooms at this location that can be booked by student groups. We are aware that there is a great need for study rooms at the University of Applied Sciences. Unfortunately, we don't have space for more group rooms at any location. However, we hope that the new room will enable us to better meet the demand at the EFS. For digital collaboration, we have also equipped all five group rooms with presentation screens that can be connected to various devices.

But our users don't just want classic learning spaces. The need for more variety in the seating furniture is also clear in the letters. In this regard, we have been able to improve all three library locations in recent months. At Max-Ophüls-Platz (MOP) there are now armchairs in the magazine area and there is new upholstered furniture on the 3rd floor at EFS. And in Sonnenstraße (SON), we have not only equipped the group work area with new (partly raised) tables and chairs, but have also created a space in the BibLounge where users can study, relax on armchairs and sofas and even play table football. There are also new DeskBikes at all three locations, which combine learning and exercise and also offer the option of using your own muscle power to generate electricity to charge your smartphone and other devices.

Electricity was generally an important topic in the letters, with almost 10% of participants expressing a desire for more power sockets. We have also taken action here and installed additional (multiple) power sockets both at individual workstations and in the group rooms and areas. We are currently also testing a wireless charging option at the EFS location. Charging cables can also be borrowed from the service counter at all locations for a deposit.

In addition, the desire for more daily newspapers was expressed. In fact, we have been offering online access to a whole range of newspapers for some time now. This is done via the database wiso, further information can be found here(Opens in a new tab) . For reasons of cost and sustainability, we do not currently wish to increase the number of printed newspapers on display in the library.

Some letter writers want printers and/or photocopiers in the library. In the past, we actually had printing stations and multifunctional devices for copying, printing and scanning. However, a few years ago, the decision was made for the entire university to no longer provide printers and copiers for reasons of sustainability. This also affected us and we welcome this decision, as it saves electricity and paper. We have already had high-quality book scanners at all locations for many years, which can be used free of charge. Experience has shown that students in particular prefer to work digitally, i.e. preferably with scans. Our offer is supplemented by that of the AStA copy stores(Opens in a new tab) , where printing and copying is still possible. Incidentally, the removal of the large multifunctional devices has created space in the EFS for the additional group study room (see above).

Drinks are generally allowed in the library, but with one small restriction: they must be in a securely lockable container. In the letters, some people express their dissatisfaction with this regulation. One reason for this is that the coffee machine in the basement of the EFS 44 building dispenses cups without lids. We can understand that this causes irritation: You can buy coffee without a lid in the basement, but three floors above you are then not allowed to take the coffee to your study place. We would like to point out that we unfortunately have no influence on what is available from the vending machines in the basement. These are operated by the Studierendenwerk. We have already asked them about this and have received feedback that it is unfortunately not possible to dispense lids from the machines. However, reusable cups that you have brought with you can be used there if the cup is first placed under the spout and then the drink is selected.

We would like to maintain the rule that beverage containers taken into the library must be firmly sealable. This contributes to the general cleanliness and preservation of our stock and facilities and also protects the technical equipment brought in by our users. You are welcome to bring coffee and tea in reusable thermo mugs with a fully sealable lid.

In 16% of the letters, it is mentioned that the library's opening hours are felt to be too short. We also understand this, but unfortunately we are currently unable to extend the opening hours. This is due to financial and personnel reasons. However, we are happy to take on board the criticism and are in the process of considering how we can optimize our opening hours in the future. Regardless of this, the request for 24/7 opening hours mentioned in one letter cannot be fulfilled, as the buildings in which the library locations are housed are only open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are closed all day on Sundays. We have no influence on the opening hours of the buildings.

However, we would also like to note that the opening hours at the SON and MOP locations have already been extended, in particular due to the elimination of the reduction during the lecture-free period. At the EFS location, we are back to our pre-corona status - with the exception of one hour. In the pandemic years, only shortened opening hours were possible at all three locations due to the protective measures for staff and users.