New library director: Jens Mittelbach brings a breath of fresh air to Frankfurt!

New library director: Jens Mittelbach brings a breath of fresh air to Frankfurt!

The ceremonial handover took place on March 26, 2025 at the university library of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). Dr. Jens Mittelbach was appointed new director and succeeds Dr. Hans-Gerd Happel, who has managed the library since 1995. Happel will retire on March 31 and leaves behind an extensive record of changes and developments within the library.

Dr. Jens Mittelbach, a doctor of philology with a focus on English, brings extensive experience from previous positions. From 2020 to 2025 he was head of the Cottbus-Senftenberg University Library. From 2010 to 2019 he was also head of the picking department in the usage and information department at the Saxon State Library - Dresden State and University Library. Mittelbach emphasizes the central role of the library as a place for secure information and exchange with the population.

Strategic realignment of the library

Mittelbach is also pursuing ambitious goals with his new position. A central project is the development of a library service offering that is closely oriented to the research process. The basis of this offer is a modern concept of information literacy, which centrally includes the concept of metaliteracy. This is done as part of a service portfolio that is based on the research consultation model from the USA jenmittelbach.de reported.

In addition, the library focuses on digital innovations, including the development of a 3D building information system, which has been in collaboration with mapongo since 2010. This technology will soon enable virtual tours within the library and provide routing functionality that directs users to specific rooms and service points. One goal of this project is to create a new type of digital control system, which has been continuously advanced since 2015.

The role of the library in promoting competence

However, the library's responsibility extends beyond digital systems. In the context of information and media literacy, the library recognizes the need to promote the reception skills of adolescents. These skills are very important in today's world dominated by digital media. According to an investigation degruyter.com Receptive skills have declined among adolescents, which emphasizes the role of libraries as places of education.

Academic libraries are required to promote media and information-related skills. These include essential skills such as searching, finding, selecting, evaluating, analyzing and processing information. The focus is on the development of digital skills, including data skills. It is emphasized that university libraries must decide in the context of their resource priorities which competencies they particularly want to strengthen.

The importance of information in today's knowledge society is clearly highlighted. Libraries must continually evolve to meet the changing needs of users and to meet the challenges of research and teaching. A look into the future shows that a stronger profile of competence promotion by university libraries is necessary.