Library Vocational Training

The University Library of the Technical University of Munich is one of the designated Bavarian training libraries. We work closely with the with the Bavarian Library Academy [1] and the Department of Archives and Library Science [2] at the University of Applied Sciences for Public Service in Bavaria [3].

Job Profile

The profession of librarianship has changed dramatically in recent decades. In this age of databases, the internet and electronic media, librarians have become information professionals, specializing in information transfer. Librarianship includes a broad spectrum of services, administration and organisation. The core responsibilities include providing information, information retrieval and information management.

Requirements for the job include:

Enjoy working with people
Willingness to provide good service
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work in teams
Flexibility and an ability to work under pressure
Interest in information technology
Willingness to undertake further vocational training
Good general education

More information can be obtained from, for example, the Commission for Training and Job Profiles (Kommission für Ausbildung und Berufsbilder [4]) of the BIB (Professional Library Association), as well as the Bavarian Library Academy [1]. If you have questions about the library trainings or are interested in internships, please contact our staff training office.

To undertake duties at academic libraries you must be qualified in one of the following areas:

Specialist in Media and Information Services

The University Library of the Technische Universität München trains specialists in media and information services (Fachangestellter für Medien- und Informationsdienste, FaMI). Information about vacancies is available on the TUM Training Centre web pages [8].

Specialists in media and information services work in public and academic libraries, in governmental and church agencies or in specialist libraries. Their work is in user and information services, and - depending on the type of library - in the area of procurement and cataloguing of media. Whether collaboratively or independently, they take on tasks from public relations, advertising and administrative matters, to the management of a municipal or public library.

Prerequisite for training is at least one school leaving qualification. The training lasts three years. Trainees receive practical training in a designated training library and also attend the Munich Vocational College for Media Professions.

For more information about the profession and the training process, visit the web pages of the Bavarian Library Academy [1].

Bachelor Library and Information Management

The Department of Archives and Library Science at the University of Applied Sciences for Public Service in Bavaria offers a degree in library science. The training lasts three years during which alternate between academic and vocational semesters. During this period, you will be appointed as a civil servant subject to revocation.

Further information on admission requirements and the application date for selection and testing can be found on the website of the University of Applied Sciences for Public Service in Bavaria – Department Archiving and Librarianship [2].

Many polytechnical universities offer Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs with different specialisations in the field of library and information management, which can be taken consecutively or in conjunction with other professional courses. In addition to full-time courses, there are a number of part-time opportunities, as well as distance learning or part-time courses. Since 2015, the University of Applied Sciences for Public Service in Bavaria offers a Bachelor’s degree program in archiving and librarianship, but it retains the same form of internal management training.

Academic Librarian

Having completed a higher degree (doctorate desirable), you can undertake a traineeship in library services. The training period lasts two years, although you will first go through a part-year internship at an academic library and then study a second year of taught theory at the Bavarian Library Academy.

Further information about admission requirements, along with the application deadline and procedures, can be found on the web pages of the Bavarian Library Academy [1].

Short-term and Long-term Internships

As part of the library vocational training in Bavaria, we offer short-term and long-term internships for

aspiring specialist for media and information services
students of library and information management at the University of Applied Sciences for Public Service in Bavaria
academic librarians

If you have any questions about library education or if you are interested in internships, please contact our library education and vocational training office.