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The demographic development shows that the proportion of senior citizens in the German population is growing. Therefore, this section of the population becomes more and more significant and it is important to deal with this target group. The offers which libraries can develop for the target group of senior citizens depend on the respective local prerequisites and the resources of each library (personnel, budget, premises). Senior citizens are a heterogeneous group of several generations, characterised by different interests and levels of education, as well as different intellectual and physical conditions. The library should develop its range of offers within a concept with clear objectives to make it successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the specific target groups for vocational training. The focus is on the satisfaction with the libraries' offers and on possible services to increase their attractiveness and thereby strengthen the role of Berlin's public libraries as educational agents for those who left school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public libraries offer easy, free access to information, education and entertainment to individuals from all sections of society. Today, their offers play an important role in promoting and supporting media competence. This article examines how well libraries enable immobile persons and inhabitants of less developed areas to take part in society, based on the results of the study 'Use monitoring for public libraries', a project of the Berlin public libraries (NuMoB study). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2013, library users were questioned in the course of the Berlin EFRE project NuMoB of the Berlin public libraries. The results coming from users of the existing bookmobiles differ in some areas from those of the general survey. The high customer satisfaction especially with the staff running the bookmobiles may be emphasized. This is not least a result of a different form of customer treatment with more personal contact. Bookmobiles serve needs individually and thereby are an element of the library system - also in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the storage capacities in both buildings of the State Library of Berlin have been exhausted, a new storage library has been built in Berlin-Friedrichshagen. The architect for this building was Eberhard Wimmer from Munich. In phase one of the building work, space has been created for about 6 Million volumes. This space is going to be used by the State Library, the Ibero-American Institute, and the Bildagentur für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte of the Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz. All volumes will be equally available to all users. Also, for the first time, the storage library will be operated by an external service company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than ever, libraries today are faced with the question of how to make their services more attractive. Thus, it only seems logical to actively integrate users into the design process. The re-implementation of the KOBV Portal (http://portal.kobv.de), a regional search in the holdings of libraries in Berlin and Brandenburg, consistently follows the path of co-design. Users are regarded as development partners. The Berlin School of Library and Information Science acts as a project partner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to find out about experiences and expectations of library users and thus be able to raise funds as well as use them in a need-oriented way, the University Library Giessen conducted a representative survey. Due to the support of empirical educational research experts of Justus Liebig University (Professur für Empirische Bildungsforschung) who undertook the study in November 2013, neutrality as well as a professional quality of the questions and the ensuing evaluation were guaranteed. 5911 questionnaires were evaluated: printed textbooks and group study rooms came out to be on top of the students' wish list. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the Alliance for Lifelong Learning the state of Baden-Württemberg promotes innovative forms of training and provides, among other things, a virtual learning environment based on ILIAS (German for 'Integrated Learning, Information and Work Cooperation System'). On that basis the public library of Ludwigsburg has designed its own learning platform which is adapted to its individual needs. Since mid-July 2013, library users have been able to gain access to language, business and computer courses with a valid library card, regardless of time and location. The article describes the framework of the Ludwigsburg project and gives an insight into its latest developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a field report on providing support to users of the library system in Hesse, Germany, on online chat. The goal was to make the database and search engine more user-friendly and to meet the users´ demand for a search tool like Google. Other topics mentioned include statistics on how library users use new media, the role of QuestionPoint Widgets, and how libraries can use social media networks.

In this paper we analyse and compare the opening hours of 50 randomly selected university libraries in Austria, Germany, Canada and the USA. Thus we want to answer five concrete questions concerning opening hours, such as ''Is there a correlation between opening hours and size of a library?'' The study reveals for example that larger libraries have extended opening hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prohibition and mandatory signs are standard in German libraries. Hardly a library wants to miss out. As part of a student seminar, the effect of these signs was studied, especially color and contrast effects but also and mainly effects on the customers. Are prohibitions and mandatories integrated into the communication strategy? The paper shows that the number of prohibition and mandatory signs in most libraries is very large, the design unprofessional-looking and the statements are often ambiguous. For the purposes of customer management the paper shows some alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The VD 18 feasibility study commissioned by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has been completed. Drawn up by an expert supported by an advisory committee, it deals with the structural, organisational and financial aspects of this major project. -- Here are some comments from the viewpoint of a specialist and future user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the university library in Oldenburg a new „learning space" was created at the cost of „traditional" library services. Thanks to a project for the organisational integration of IT services and library, it was possible for the first time to meet changed users' needs with an overall concept. As a result, library and IT services are now jointly available at one location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the application of a study titled "Best Practice: Studying Students – A Research Project of the River Campus Libraries in Rochester NY" that was conducted by Holder Schultka and implemented in the Branch Library of Chemistry in the University Library of Münster, Germany. Aspects of the research project that were implemented include surveying library users in order to provide appropriate services.

The article announces a library cooperation initiative between the library of Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT) and the Badische Landesbibliothek (Baden State Library, BLB), both in Karlsruhe, Germany, which grants reciprocal access privileges to users of both institutions.

The article reports on the 101st Deutscher Bibliothekartag (German Librarians' Convention) in Hamburg, Germany, in 2012. Themes considered at the meeting included the impact of electronic publishing and digitization efforts on libraries, the increase of library users in Germany between 2000 and 2010, and design, construction, and renovation projects for library buildings.

The article discusses several lectures that focused on library user behavior and on services for library users. The lectures were held at the 100th German librarians' retreat that took place in Berlin, Germany in June 2011. The main lecture, given by the librarian Lynn Connaway, focused on providing library users with certain tools and services, eliminating barriers preventing library users from accessing certain services, and encouraging library users to learn how to use the internet resources.

The article reports on the situation of libraries in Germany in 2010. Included are a discussion of the increasing use of libraries by a diverse population, the negative effects of budget deficits as federal funds are reduced, and libraries as a place of lifelong learning. The writer of the article also pleads for support for libraries as places which preserve the cultural heritage of a nation.

The article describes the development of technical standards and user strategies for digital books in German libraries. Comments are given regarding automated processes of integration for meta-data, indexing techniques in digital book collections, and efforts to create standardized citations for digital books. Further note is taken of the organization of information regarding digital books and library user statistics.