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Library Sciences (BA)

Student recherchiert in Bibliothek der FH Potsdam

Libraries bundle large amounts of diverse information and make it accessible to their users. In doing so, they make a valuable contribution to understanding the past, present and future.

As a library researcher, you not only hold the key to this knowledge in your hands, but also produce it and thus actively contribute to the transfer of information.

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Type:
Full time
Course language:
German
Standard study period:
7 semesters
Start of study:
Winter semester
Application deadline:
15/06 – 15/08 (free of admission)
Admission requirements:
General university entrance qualification/ entrance qualification for studies at universities of applied sciences/ equivalently recognised prior vocational training
Credits:
210 ECTS credits (NC-Free)
Module Manuals & Regulations
Profile

Create information spaces

Library scientists ensure high quality of information services of scientific libraries. They make sure that these information collections available to current users as well as to future future generations future generations.
In the library science programme you will learn, at use of thethe latest technologies to structure information, process, network and make information available. You will also acquire the knowledge and skills to adapt library services to the information behaviour information behaviour and the needs of your target groups in the knowledgescientific libraries.

Is this degree programme right for me?

Interest in people and technology is in demand

The focus of the programme is the development of competences for systematically organising large amounts of information, for networking and making information visible. Excursions and internships enable you to apply the knowledge you have acquired and give you insights into your future professional life - primarily in academic libraries. Both in theory and in the practical parts of the degree programme, you will learn how to combine information with digitality in a way that is suitable for use.

You bring these qualities with you

  • Open-mindedness for changes in the digital media and information society
  • Abstract and analytical thinking
  • Great interest in daily political debates about knowledge and facts
  • Open-mindednessopenness towards digital content and modern IT technology
  • Interest in classification systems and the structuring of scientific data
  • Communication skills
  • Interest in the development of didactic and counselling skills

Online Study Choice Assistant

Would you like to find out more about the library sciences degree programme, get opinions and tips from students and lecturers or take a look at typical study tasks?

With the Online Study Choice Assistant (OSA) you can test whether the degree programme is right for you.

To the OSA

Podcast of the Campus Specialists

Santiago is studying library sciences and is one of our campus specialists who talk about their degree programmes in their podcast. Together with Carolin, who studies archival studies, he talks about the courses and university life.

To the podcast

Information day for prospective students on the 31st of May 2024

Would you like to get to know the study contents better, talk to students and discover the campus? Come to the info day of the archival studies, library sciences and information studies degree programmes of the information sciences departmet on the 31st of May!

Info Day 2024

Contact

The colleagues at the student counselling service provide information to prospective students, first-year students, parents, teachers and students on all general questions about the degree programme. If you have specific questions or concerns about the Bachelor's degree programme in library sciences, please contact the student counselling service.

Student Counselling Service

Dr. Ulrike Wuttke
Chair of Library Science – Strategies, Service Development, Science Communication

These degree programmes might also interest you

More courses
Department Degree programme Teaching language Start of study Application deadline
Archival Sciences (MA) German Winter semester
22/05 – 30/06/ in odd-numbered calendar years (admission restricted)
Archival Studies (BA) German Winter semester
15/06 – 15/08 (free of admission)
Digital Data Management (MA) German Summer semester
Note: No enrolment for summer semester 2024
Information Studies (BA) German Winter semester
15/06 – 30/09 (free of admission)
Library Sciences (BA) German Winter semester
15/06 – 15/08 (free of admission)
Career Prospects

Career Prospects

The successful completion of your Bachelor's degree qualifies you in particular in scientific general- and special libraries or research institutions to work. Aber also an activity as a self-employed service provider or in a company, for example a law firm law firm or a pharmaceutical company, are are possible due to the core competences possible.

Working in academic libraries

  • University libraries
  • Libraries in research institutions
  • Science general libraries

 

Work in special libraries, institutions or companies

  • Parliaments
  • Courts
  • Museums
  • Associations
  • Private companies
  • Independent service

Web portal "meinjob-bibliothek"

The web portal meinjob-bibliothek.de offers all those interested in libraries - whether they are trainees, students, potential employees or colleagues - comprehensive information on entry-level, training and career opportunities in the fascinating world of libraries.

  • Portrait von Bibliothekswissenschaft-Studentin Tabea in der Bibliothek
    Studentin Tabea

    I gained work experience throughout my studies, first at the Grimm Centre in Berlin and then, since my internship semester until today, to my great delight, at the Fontane Archive in Potsdam. But now I'm still going to do my Master's degree at the FHP after I finish my Bachelor's degree.

    Tabea
    Student in the 7th semester
  • Student Daniel (Informations- und Datenmabagement)
    Student Daniel

    In the course of my studies, I gained deep insights into public and academic libraries and learned how to work with them. and academic libraries and learned to work in and with them. and with them. With the Bachelor's degree, I am also prepared for the Master's degree.

    Ich actually have all doors open.

    Daniel
    Student in the 6th semester

These degree programmes might also interest you

More courses
Department Degree programme Teaching language Start of study Application deadline
Archival Sciences (MA) German Winter semester
22/05 – 30/06/ in odd-numbered calendar years (admission restricted)
Archival Studies (BA) German Winter semester
15/06 – 15/08 (free of admission)
Digital Data Management (MA) German Summer semester
Note: No enrolment for summer semester 2024
Information Studies (BA) German Winter semester
15/06 – 30/09 (free of admission)
Library Sciences (BA) German Winter semester
15/06 – 15/08 (free of admission)
Study Content

Course of studies

The standard period of study for the full-time degree programme in library sciences is seven semesters and concludes with a Bachelor of Arts degree. The programme consists of basic compulsory, elective and flex modules, two internships and is completed with the writing of a Bachelor's thesis.

In the library sciences degree programme, students can choose one of the following three specialisations from the third semester onwards: Library and information didactics, data steward and openness.

Semester
2

Basic studies, internship

Semester
 4
Integrative and subject-specific specialisation
Semester
5
Practical semester
Semester
 7
Consolidation of subject content and key qualifications, projects, Bachelor's thesis

Study Content

In the library sciences degree programme, different forms of teaching and learning are used to enable knowledge to be imparted in a practical way. In addition to the classic basic training, you will also learn the methodology that is important for working in the field of librarianship in practical modules.

In the currently valid module handbooks and study and examination regulations of the information sciences department you will find the module overview, a detailed description of the modules and study contents as well as the study plan for the degree programme in library sciences.

Integrative modules

  • Start me up

  • Basic Concepts and Practices of Information Science

  • Lab: Data Literacy

  • Copyright and Internet Law Basics for Information Institutions

  • Project Design

Compulsory modules

  • Libraries in the Information Society

  • Library technology infrastructures

  • Introduction Metadata & Semantics

  • Programming & Research Methods

  • Library technology services

  • Library indexing

  • Library research skills

  • Library information didactics

  • Library management

  • Lab: Collection Management

  • Current topics and methods of international professional discussion

Elective modules

  • Data culture

  • UX for digital information services

  • Public Libraries

  • Open Science Services and Legal Bases

  • Science Communication & Public Relations

Integrative & partially integrative elective modules

  • Openness in the Information Society
  • Data & Information Visualisation
  • Teaching data and information literacy
  • English in Information Services
  • Knowledge Management – Basics
  • Fair data management and long-term archiving
  • Digital editions
  • FLEX 1
  • FLEX 2
  • PRO: Project

Projects & Excursions

  • Depending on current topics, cooperation partners and research projects

Extension area

  • Attendance of subject-related events at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam or other universities or professional associations
  • Participation in the interdisciplinary teaching and learning opportunities offered by the university

Internships

  • Two internships: six weeks after the 2nd semester and 20 weeks in the 5th semester

Further information

Thesis

  • Writing and defending a Bachelor's thesis on one's own initiative
Application & Contact

Dates & requirements for your application

The most important deadlines, dates and admission requirements for the Bachelor's degree programme in library science are compiled here. You can find out which steps you need to take for a successful application in the next section.

Dates

  • 31st of May: Info day for Archival Studies, Library Sciences, Information Studies
  • by 15th of August: apply for matriculation
  • By 15th of July: apply for a higher semester in order to continue a degree programme you have already started at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam

Access requirements

  • General university entrance qualification according to the Brandenburg university act: General university qualification or entrance qualification for studies at universities of applied sciences or previous vocational training recognised as equivalent

This is how you apply!

Do you have a university entrance qualification? Then you have the opportunity to submit an enrolment application for the winter semester from 15 June to 15 August on the MyCampus university portal of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.

Once you have submitted your online application for enrolment, submit the completed application, printed and signed, together with all required documents in paper form. The date of receipt at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam is decisive.

Documents to be submitted

  • an officially certified copy of your university entrance qualification or university degree certificate
  • electronic notification of your insurance status for the statutory health insurance for students or electronic notification of exemption from the statutory insurance obligation
  • Proof of payment or order confirmation of semester fees
  • Photo for issuing the Campus.Card: This can also be uploaded during online enrolment.
  • If applicable, certificate of exmatriculation from the last university attended

Please refer to the enrolment application form to find out whether you need to submit any additional documents.

Do you have questions about the enrolment process at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam? We have compiled frequently asked questions and answers regarding enrolment and admission.

Start your studies

After you have successfully completed the application process, we recommend that you take a look at the start of studies page of the information sciences department. There you will find important information and dates regarding the start of your studies at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.

Further information

The following links provide you, and especially international applicants, with further information on the topics of application and enrolment at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.

Girlande mit internationalen Flaggen

International applicants

You would like to apply for studies from the first or a higher semester and have acquired your school-leaving qualification and/or university degree abroad? Then you can have degrees and achievements acquired abroad recognised and study with us.

Application information for internationals

Drei Studierende schauen sich Infomaterialien der FH Potsdam an

Application & Enrolment Procedure

The application and study service provides information and advice on general questions regarding the application process, admission and enrolment at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, application for a higher semester, but also on topics such as compensation for disadvantages, part-time studies, waiting semesters and hardship applications.

Application & Enrolment University of Applied Sciences Potsdam

Contact & Services

The student counselling service provides information and advice on general questions about studying as well as on topics such as choosing a degree programme, application, enrolment and study organisation.

For subject-specific questions on module content, credit transfer, examinations or specialisations in the library sciences degree programme, the subject counselling service is the right place to go.

Student Counselling Service

Dr. Ulrike Wuttke
Chair of Library Science – Strategies, Service Development, Science Communication

Student Financing

Room 3.02a

Family Affairs Commissioner

Room 026

Office hours

Tue and Thu 9.30 am – 1.30 pm

Commissioner for University Employees with Impairment

Room 201

Office hours

by arrangement

Contact persons department of student affairs