A red ribbon was placed in the entrance area on Tuesday Central University Library (ZHB) tensely and ceremoniously cut. The presidents of the University of Lübeck and the Lübeck University of Technology, Prof. Gabriele Gillessen-Kaesbach and Dr. Muriel Helbig, as well as the student representatives, Florian Marwitz and Victoria Gräf from the university and Alicianne Hocke and Mathis Mohnke from the Lübeck University of Technology, as well as the library manager, Sarah Tiemann.
1.5 million euros in donations
Numerous sponsors also came. Their presence was an expression of the great commitment of the people of Lübeck to their universities. Foundations, companies, students, employees and former employees of the universities have raised a total of around 1.5 million euros in donations for the interior design. That’s what they had for University of Lübeck and the Lübeck University of Technology jointly launched the #bibauf Möbeln campaign.
Opening with around 100 guests
The pure construction costs for the renovation of the facade and the expansion of the house into a meeting place amount to around 7.2 million euros. The state of Schleswig-Holstein carried out the necessary structural and energy-related renovations.
Afterwards, around 100 interested parties were able to take a tour of the modernized building and listen to the staged reading “Bee Thoughts with Bass” with Bettina Thierig and Florian Gahlow.
The financing of the new interior design of the ZHB is an expression of the connection between the people of Lübeck and their universities. Through their efforts, we can provide students and citizens with a modern and contemporary place to learn. The university location is thus strengthened
says Prof. Gabriele Gillessen-Kaesbach, President of the University of Lübeck.
I am very happy for the students that they now have a place to learn again. The students were extremely involved in the redesign of the library and helped finance the study lounge. I have great respect for this commitment,
says Dr. Muriel Helbig, President of the Lübeck University of Technology.
500 workstations, barrier-free services, study lounge
Before 2021, there were a maximum of 200 workstations on three floors in the building, now there are around 500. The original three group work rooms were increased to five and modernized. For example, the furniture was renewed and the technical equipment, such as soundproof panels or conference systems, was added. The 35 places in the PC pool were equipped with new technology, such as computers and sound insulation. A lounge with 20 seats and snack machines can now be used in the entrance area. In addition, people with disabilities can use all services barrier-free and receive special support in various rooms, such as a barrier-free quiet work room or a work room for the blind and visually impaired.
The renovation and new furnishing will significantly improve and expand the quality of learning and living in the ZHB. We offer various alternatives to conventional learning workplaces, such as: E.g. standing workstations or cozy niches
says Sarah Tiemann, head of the ZHB.
We are pleased that the Central University Library is finally available to students again
say Florian Marwitz and Victoria Gräf from General Student Committee (AStA) the University of Lübeck. The library is a central location on campus and benefits all students. For this reason, the student body has also decided to co-finance the student lounge. Unfortunately, the library renovation took longer than expected and many students were left without adequate space to study. We are all even more relieved that the library is opening again for reading, learning and working.
And Mathis Mohnke and Alicianne Hocke from Student Parliament from the Lübeck University of Technology say:As the student representative of the TH Lübeck student body, we are pleased that we were able to financially support the ZHB and especially the Studilounge. Student life can sometimes get pretty chaotic, so having a place of peace and quiet for studying, researching or meeting up with study groups is incredibly important. All the greater the joy that our bib can be used to its full extent again.
The ZHB was reopened after a renovation phase that lasted almost 3 years. Media could be borrowed during this period, but the library was not available as a place to study. The ZHB was built in 1977 and has a usable area of 3,584 square meters, of which 2,076 square meters are freely accessible. There are 417,654 volumes available. There are also 50,124 electronic holdings, 2,323 electronic dissertations and 16,544 electronic journals.
Statements from the individual foundations
Axel Bülow, CEO of Rose Foundationsays: It is important to the Rose Foundation, as part of Lübeck’s urban society, to support the foundation university within the scope of our possibilities. Individual learning spaces, small and larger group rooms make it possible to use all forms of learning in order to achieve the best results. The new Rose Foundation group room enables students and a wider range of interested parties to absorb and process knowledge at the latest level. We are happy to get involved in projects like this so that the most comprehensive educational offering possible can be made available to young people.
Claus Strätz, administrative head of the Parcham Foundationsays: The Parcham Foundation in Lübeck has been supporting students for 421 years. According to the will of the Lübeck councilor Henning Parcham on the day of his death on February 16, 1602, students and ‘poor young women’ from his parents’ descendants should receive scholarships and marriage grants from the proceeds of his estate, including the Padelügge estate. Since 1972, the foundation has also supported study facilities and community facilities for students in Lübeck. It is a particular pleasure that in 2017 and this year we were able to support equipping the university library with workstations and workspaces. We are pleased that in addition to the Parcham Longue, which was financed in 2017, two workspaces are now named after Henning and Gesche Parcham.
Ernst Syring, Chairman of the Friedrich Bluhme and Else Jebsen Foundation, says:When setting up the foundation, the founders, the married couple Friedrich Bluhme and Else Jebsen, had a heartfelt desire to support projects in Lübeck and Stockelsdorf, especially projects for the training and education of young people. It therefore made sense to generously support the renovation of the Central University Library. We hope and wish that – despite the current wide range of digital offerings – the library will be used by students in every way.
Frank Schneider, Chairman of the Board of Directors Gerd and Margot Fahron Foundationsays:The Gerd and Margot Fahron Foundation aims to make life easier for wheelchair users. This project suits the foundation very well, as it allows wheelchair users to register and issue media at eye level. The founder Margot Fahron often visited Lübeck and shared her love of books, so the implementation is in her spirit.
Hans-Jochen Arndt, Chairman of the Board of the Jürgen Wessel Foundation, says: The place for learning and research – especially in groups – is the central university library on campus for all students. That’s why the Jürgen Wessel Foundation was happy to support the renovation of the library.
Jan Drescher, board member Christof Husen Foundationsays: The Christof Husen Foundation has set itself the task of supporting young people with disabilities in their independence. This project contributes to this by bringing people with and without disabilities together with an ease that is rarely found. This was exactly the goal of the group’s late owners Hugo Hamann, Jacob Erichsen and Heinr. Hünicke, to which the foundation and the group of companies are still committed today.
Max Schön, Chairman of the Possehl Foundation, says: The Possehl Foundation has stood by the University of Lübeck since it was founded 60 years ago. Science is at the service of our community. The questions asked concern us all, and only through dialogue can we find answers. The modernized university library as a place of inspiration and meeting for universities and civil society is a milestone for this dialogue.
Dr. Oswald Kleiner, Chairman Heinz Besser Foundationsays: The Heinz Besser Foundation supports the new ZHB by funding the equipment of group work room 6, especially for people with visual impairments. The wish of the founder Heinz Besser was to support facilities for the blind and visually impaired in order to improve the material facilities, with a focus on Lübeck. We are therefore very pleased that with the help of our donation a group work room for people with visual impairments was created in the new ZHB.
Titus Jochen Heldt, board member of Non-profit savings bank foundation in Lübecksays: The Central University Library not only serves students at the University and the Lübeck University of Technology, but is also open to all citizens, thus enabling broad access to knowledge and education. To ensure that it stays that way, we as a non-profit savings bank foundation are happy to support the renovations: This way, contemporary learning spaces can be created that enable collaborative and individual learning and strengthen the library as a lively meeting place for education and collaboration.