Professional Visit to
The Library of ULM University (Universitätsbibliothek ULM)
((Germany))
From 02 to 15th Aug 2008
By: Essam Shaaban
Senior Librarian
Information & Circulation Dep.
German University in Cairo
“ACKNOWLEDGMENTS “
This professional visit was possible thanks to the invitation done by Mr. Peter Hans Grossman, The Director of ULM University Library and the financial support given by both Bibliothek & Information International and German University in Cairo (GUC).
I wish to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to organize this activity: Mrs. Hella Klauser, Dr. Ashraf Mansour, Dr. Mahmoud Hashim, Eng. Essam Hamouda, Mr. Salah Hegazi, Ms. Lina Mohamed, Mrs. Hania Morsy, Mrs. Dawlat Younes, and Mr. Hany Hussien.
As well I would particularly like to thank all librarians who supported me & I appreciate the nice welcoming and dedication for doing this visit a significant experience in my Professional Experience improvement.
Library of ULM University
1. History of ULM University:
The University of Ulm is chronologically the ninth in Baden-Württemberg. The first ideas of founding a university in Ulm go back to the 50's. In 1959, the research group "University of Ulm" was formed, which produced a memorandum on founding a university in March of 1961. Due to competition between the cities of Constance and Ulm in the early stages, the idea of establishing a university in each of the two cities gained popularity. A critical factor leading to this decision was the fact that Constance is situated near a federal border. The opportunities for employment in the field of medicine would not be sufficient due to the lack of a patient catchments area at the border. The idea of founding a university in Ulm therefore became more concrete - it would be a university shaped by medicine and natural sciences.
In July of 1965, the foundation committee submitted its "Memorandum on a College of Medicine and Natural Sciences in Ulm," which was approved by the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg's council of ministers in January 1966. Just two months later, the "Interim Constitution of the Ulm College of Medicine and Natural Sciences" came into effect.
Full universities based on the model of the traditional Universities litterarum were no longer feasible in the new university founding phase, in which the University of Ulm was established. Full universities were replaced by selective subject spectra and in Ulm it became clear that the original idea of a full university would have to be given up as well. The label "College of Medicine and Natural Sciences" suggests the focus of the school; it remained a characteristic part of the name after 4 July 1967, when the new establishment was granted the designation of "university." The original spectrum of disciplines has since been expanded many times over. At present, the University of Ulm's profile is characterized by the fields of Natural Sciences; Engineering and Computer Science; Mathematics and Economics and Medicine.
Foundation of the University of Ulm on 25 February 1967 under one roof...
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Medicine - that is how the original subject spread looked, although it was never considered closed. The founding fathers explicitly ascribed their creation the character of a research university. Their design called for the uniting of subjects "under one roof." This is to be taken literally, i.e. building-wise, and is also meant to encourage contact among the individual subject areas and promote the interdisciplinary character of research. This idea has been retained over the years and decades. The research touch of the "university under one roof" has been maintained. It has been adopted in the politics
of hiring lecturers and professors as well. The faculties have always made sure that, wherever possible, there is overlap in the central work areas of the new lecturers and of those who are already working for the University. Research concentrations and a series of Collaborate Research Centres (Sonderforschungsbereiche - SFBs) through the German Research Foundation have been established at the University of Ulm over the years on the grounds of this idea.
2. General Library Information
The purpose of the ULM Library, as adopted by the Library Faculty, is to support the teaching, research, and service programs of the University. This shall be accomplished through instruction, networking, and access using the appropriate technology, acquisition, organization and maintenance of necessary information resources. The ULM Library shall also provide the optimum learning environment for its diverse users.
3. University Library Building
The new University Library opened for service on April 12th, 1999. The Grand Opening Ceremonies was held on April 30th, 1999. The library occupies floors one to five in the new building. University administration is located on the sixth floor, and a conference center is on the seventh floor. The new facility has a fully equipped computer lab, media presentation/studio room, bibliographic instruction room, study/meeting rooms, and an expanded Special Collections area.
4. Library Resources
The library is centrally located on the University Campus. It is readily accessible from both dormitories and classroom buildings.
The resources of the library include 637,640 print volumes, including 195,605 state and federal documents, 2,941 serial subscriptions, and 564,623 volumes in micro format. The library is a member AMIGOS, which enables cataloging and bibliographic verification and interlibrary loan to be done via computer terminals connected on-line to the system headquarters. NEON, the Library's electronic catalog, is part of LOUIS, the state wide academic library catalog network. Being part of LOUIS, the library also has access to EBSCOhost that provides access to bibliographic references to more than 7000 journals. Many of these are also available in electronic text format once the bibliographic and abstracting sources.
All are welcome to use the resources of the University Library. To borrow library materials, on must have a valid ID card or be enrolled in a cooperative program offered by other institutions.
Housed on open shelves, the Library's resources are located on five floors. The first floor is the focal point for information services. Located there are reference materials, a national and trade bibliographic center, and serials, also on this floor are the Reference Office and INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICE. The general collection of monographs are located on the second through fifth floors of the building. In addition, the second floor houses the Government Document collection and Media Services. Computer Services is located on the third floor, and special collections (archives, rare books, etc.) is on the fifth floor.
Library materials are protected by an electronic theft detection system. Use of the Library implies consent to the use of this equipment and gives the Library the right to detain and search a user when the equipment indicates probable cause for belief that a misuse of Library materials has occurred.
Offered as an adjunct service, SOLAR provides computerized access to more than 100 bibliographic data bases. This service can be a powerful tool for preparing bibliographies on nearly any topic. Charges for access and computer connect time are passed on to the user and average about $10.00. For more information, ask a Reference Librarian.
5. Departments and Services of the library of ULM University:
5.1. Circulation: All members of the University as well as anyone with a German resident permit can borrow books for free.
5.2. Government Publications: The University Library collections contain more than 200,000 print and non-print federal and state publications. The Library receives these materials at no cost as part of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) and the Louisiana State Documents Depository Program (LSDDP).
"Established by Congress in 1813, the FDLP is often referred to as "America’s first freedom of information program." The FDLP is based on the principle that "citizens should have free, unimpeded, local access to official information produced by their Government.... The FDLP provides Government information at no cost to designated depository libraries throughout the country and territories. These depository libraries, in turn, provide local, no-fee access to Government information in an impartial environment with professional assistance.
5.3. Interlibrary Loan: The service which permits current validated patrons at the library of ULM University to request books from other libraries.
5.4. Reference: Reference and information services are provided at the Reference Counter located on the 1st floor of the library. Librarians are available in person, by phone, via email and by appointment to answer your questions on any subject.
5.5. Special Collections/Archives: University Library ULM Archives and Special Collections Our collection's main focus is on Northeast Louisiana History. Our goals are to preserve items no longer in print in order to make them available for research, and to add new items to our collection.
5.6. Technical Services: These department of the library of ULM University which handles cataloging, processing, and maintenance of library materials.
5.7. Acquisitions: These departments of the library of ULM University where books and journals orders are processed and new materials are received.
4.5.8. Cataloging: This department in the library of ULM University is responsible for entering all the information necessary about library materials such as: books, journals, periodicals and other materials in the online catalog.
5.9. Computer Systems: Students with a current Student ID have access to the Open Computer Lab, located 3rd floor, Room 302. The lab operates 60 Dell Dimension 2400 PC's connected with high speed internet access. The lab also operates 2 Dell 5100 black and white Laser Printers. You are limited to 20 printed pages per PC Lab Session.
Positives and Recommendations
A- Positives
During my visit program I spent a lot of time in the library of ULM University and I’ve been amazed with some points trying to brief as following:
1- Binding books Dep: the library has a huge binding department inside the ULM campus provided by all needed materials for binding and that a cheapest way to bind not only books but also thesis or publications for both students and Academic staff.
2- Video Conference: the library is using new technologies in managing the video conference in Germany or either in Europe by using the internet connection speed.
B- Recommendations
1- Integrated System: the most important problem that all the Library of ULM university staff are facing that they’re using many systems in different technical processes, and that needs more concentration and need more staff members to do all the tasks, but we think that if the library could unify only one integrated system that would save a lot of efforts and time.
2- Membership with fees: we noticed also that the membership in the library is for free for the students or for the public users, although the library needs more money to operate all its functions, so we suggest making this membership with moderate fees.
