As a librarian at the German National Library

In the Acquisitions and Cataloguing domain, we fulfil our legal mandate to collect and recording all media works published in Germany. We catalogue these media works by description and subject and provide access to the corresponding metadata so that the works can be found in our immense holdings and used for a long time to come. We also cooperate with other institutions and countries to help develop cataloguing standards and library network systems. As part of the GND cooperative, we work with partners in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to develop and maintain the Integrated Authority File.

In the User Services and Preservation domain, we respond to user queries submitted online and in person. We make the requested media ready for use and help users search for, find and discover them. We are constantly working behind the scenes to improve our services and ensure that our cultural heritage is preserved for posterity. We archive and digitise our extensive holdings to make sure that they will remain accessible for a long time to come.

We also act as a driving force for important topics with future relevance such as provenance research, the digital humanities, the preservation of printed publications and the machine-based analysis of large media holdings.

Digitisation is irrevocably changing our working world. This is why we are looking for independent team players who are interested in new things, fresh ideas and impulses for a branche which transforms continuously. And with the courage for change.

Working at the German Museum of Books and Writing

Photo: PUNCTUM/Bertram Kober

At the German Museum of Books and Writing, we engage with topics relating to book culture and media history, such as books and writing in the age of digital media. We address both the scientific community and the general public, for example through exhibitions, events and publications. This is why the German Museum of Books and Writing is a lively place for dialogue and cultural education.

More about the German Museum of Books and Writing

Working at the German Exile Archive 1933–1945

We deal with the topics of exile and emigration during the time of National Socialism. For this, we collect publications, estates and other testimonies of time. With our exhibitions, publications and a varied programme of events, we make an important contribution to the preservation of a living culture of remembrance. We also attach great importance to political and social education and teachig services.

More about the German Exile Archive 1933–1945

Working in the German Music Archive

Our collection mandate also encompasses music, which means that we are Germany’s main music bibliography information centre. Our exhibition “From Edison Cylinder to Blu-Ray” showcases numerous milestones in the history of music. Under the heading “Music at the German National Library”, we share musical experiences with our users and visitors in concerts, at our listening stations.

More about the German Music Archive

Diverse tasks and topics – a selection

Introductory sessions, user surveys and research

A library is not just a place for media, but also and above all for people. We want users of the German National Library to feel as comfortable as possible and get all the support they need. Depending on their requirements, we show them how to search the online catalogue and use our collection of more than 49,7 million media as efficiently as possible or use support services. We conduct regular surveys and use the results to continue developing our services.

More about our introductory sessions and user experience

Subject cataloguing with AI methods

We use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the quality of machine-based subject cataloguing. Therefore we investigate which AI methods can be used for the machine-based processing and analysis of texts in natural language with the goal of obtaining the most complete and accurate cataloguing data possible for describing content. We combine and adapt promising AI developments for use at the German National Library. We also provide the new methods as flexible, reusable tools (Open Source Tools) available to institutions that perform comparable tasks.

More about the subject cataloguing by AI

Integrated Authority File (GND) and Wikimedia

Photo: Mathias Manecke

We are moving towards an open, freely accessible Semantic Web in cooperation with Wikimedia Deutschland e. V. Our aim is to link the Integrated Authority File (GND) with Wikipedia, Wikidata and other databases in the cultural sector. We are working towards the establishment of a data ecosystem that will first and foremost facilitate the sustainable use of cultural and research data. Wikibase is an alternative technical basis for the use of over 9,3 million GND data records.

More about the GND and Wikimedia

What our executives say

“The sheer size of the institution alone means that there are great opportunities for development and we have the chance to work with large numbers of users and colleagues. What I like best is the fact that we work for people. That’s why we look for people who enjoy helping our users in any way possible."

Renate Gömpel, Head of Domain User Services and Preservation

What our employees say

Photo: DNB, Josephine Kreutzer

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"The German National Library’s physical and digital collections are a valuable asset which can be enhanced still further with IT support. We can use methods from the fields of machine-based learning and data science to help do this.“

Matthias Hohner, Domain Information Infrastructure

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