The job shadowing experience in Berlin's libraries, organised by the Büchereiverband Österreichs and funded by Erasmus+, provided a valuable opportunity for a diverse group of librarians from different Austrian libraries, including myself, to delve into the landscape of digital services. My work at the Austrian Library Association focuses on reading promotion, including digital literacy, and organising events for libraries. Therefore, I was very happy to have the opportunity to take part in the job shadowing. Over the course of three days, the group had the chance to immerse themselves in different libraries, each offering a different experience. The Bezirkszentralbibliothek Pablo Neruda, the Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin and the Stadtbibliothek Reinickendorf provided a multi-faceted view of library work in Berlin. The visits gave us a comprehensive understanding of the evolving role of libraries in the digital age. In addition to a workshop on the digital services of the Berlin libraries, we were able to get an insight into the daily work of German colleagues and - in keeping with the theme - explore numerous libraries with Actionbound Ralleys. We were able to make valuable connections and share knowledge with Berlin's library professionals, learn about the variety of e-resources offered by Berlin's libraries, the licences required and the digital infrastructure. It was inspiring to see how Berlin's libraries have seamlessly integrated digital resources into their daily operations, improving accessibility for library users and fostering digital literacy in their community. For example, library users can access online catalogues, interactive learning platforms and virtual classes. The group was able to see that digital services do not compete with traditional library values, but enrich them. A particular highlight was the visit to a modern makerspace. While trying out different robotics tools, especially for children and young adults, we got many practical ideas that can be implemented in your own libraries back in Austria. Overall, our visit to Berlin's libraries was a rewarding experience that enriched our understanding of the evolving role of libraries in the digital landscape. In conclusion, the Erasmus+ job shadowing programme in Berlin not only broadened our horizons, but also empowered us to embrace the digital future of libraries with new insights. We look forward to applying the lessons learned and inspiration gained to improve the library experience for our library users in Austria.
Visiting Robots: Job Shadowing in Berlin´s Libraries
Austrian librarians visited Berlin´s libraries to learn about digital services.