Working in a library does not mean you have to be a book nerd. Hard to believe? In this interview, librarian Lukas Burkhardt talks about how diverse his job at the THWS library is and why you do not necessarily have to enjoy reading to do it. He also reveals how his personal views on sustainability are reflected in his professional life at the library and what he is passionate about outside of work.
Published on 07 March 2025
How did you come to work as a librarian at THWS?
I studied library and information management in Munich and had already completed an internship at a library. When I was looking for a job in 2020, the vacancy at THWS really appealed to me. I knew that I would prefer to work at a university of applied sciences rather than a large university because the smaller size here means that you can work in more areas. I am also originally from Middle Franconia, so the decision was not very difficult. I am still very happy with this decision today.
What areas do you work in? What are your responsibilities?
My responsibilities are now very diverse. I mainly work in the area of research-related services, which primarily involves publication consulting and research data management. At THWS, I am also responsible for the library's public relations work. Furthermore, I take care of posters, Instagram posts, and the content on the information screens, among other things. However, I also provide IT support and give training courses on our services. Anyone visiting the library in Würzburg can also simply meet me at the lending desk.
That sounds varied indeed. What do you love most about the job? Was it your dream job?
I did not always want to be a librarian. To be honest, after finishing school, I did not really know what I wanted to do. So I took the civil service test to see what direction I could go in – there were a few options, and the library definitely appealed to me the most, so I gave it a try. My enthusiasm grew during my studies, and now I find the job even more interesting! I am fascinated by the fundamental concept of a library – preserving and imparting knowledge. In addition, our work supports research, teaching, and study itself, and we design services that are intended to help everyone at THWS. That is what I love about my job.
What is the atmosphere like within the team?
We all get along really well, it is a very relaxed atmosphere. I feel that the people who work here are all very friendly. We are on the same wavelength, even though we sometimes have very different interests. For example, I do not really like reading, even though this is probably quite a cliché for a librarian's job. But I like to dispel that myth, because it is not a must at all. There is much more to the job than that! I also really appreciate that we can all learn from each other – I have already learned a lot on library IT from my colleague, which helps me a lot in my daily work.
You sound really enthusiastic about your job. What are your personal highlights at THWS?
What I really like about THWS is the aspiration to always be one of the best higher education institutions. I can really identify with this motto, and it motivates me. I think it is important that we are truly innovative, especially here in the library. Even though we are a smaller library with 20 employees, we are a pilot library in Bavaria using the open-source library software Folio and always try to be at the forefront, which is also encouraged and demanded by the library management. With this attitude, work is simply fun!
Sustainability is a major issue at THWS. Do you also see this aspect reflected in the library?
I think that comes with the basic idea of libraries. As a central service provider for the entire higher education institution, we ensure the availability of books and specialist articles and then purchase them in an economically sustainable manner for everyone. We also offer a learning space where people can study and read – so not everyone consumes resources and buys a book, for example, which in turn is ecologically sustainable. But the library concept also plays a crucial role in the area of social sustainability. Here at THWS, for example, we have now established open access as a library service, which promotes access to specialist literature for everyone worldwide.
What exactly is open access and what are its advantages?
The basic idea has been around since the 1990s, but the concept has only really gained momentum in recent years. Put simply, open access reverses the traditional flow of money: consumers no longer pay to read a specialist article, for example, but pay to publish. So if an author at THWS wants to publish something via a publisher using open access, we as a library pay for the publication using the THWS publication fund. This makes the article accessible to anyone who is interested and lowers the barrier for consumers.
What does sustainability mean to you and how do you try to implement is in your private life?
I think it is really important to say that sustainability does not have to mean radically changing your own life. Many people are reluctant because they are afraid of having to give things up, but it is often not such a black-and-white issue. Most of the time, it is about living more sustainably in small ways.
I have been a vegetarian for two years now – I never would have thought at the beginning that I would stick with it. In general, when it comes to consumption, I try to reduce and, in the area of technology, I also try to use second-hand devices . I also try very hard to use public transport more. It actually works very well – we did a whole trip around Italy last year. I also walk to work.
How far is it?
It's only six minutes (laughs).
How do you find a balance to work?
The librarian job is a somewhat quieter job, even if there are always stressful phases, e.g. when switching to Folio. So it is good that I also play on the THWS football team – it can get a bit loud sometimes, with lots of action. That is also really cool for work, because you get to build a good network and meet lots of different people – from the HMZ to the caretakers. Once a year, there is also the university tournament, which is great fun!
I am also a passionate gamer and enjoy hiking and mountaineering – last year I climbed my first 3,000-metre peak.
Do you have any study hacks for students at THWS?
Use our databases, such as the Wiso platform. It provides access to a large number of articles from newspapers and magazines that are normally behind a paywall, allowing you complimentary access. You will find freely accessible specialist articles from trade magazines, but also frequently full texts from traditional daily or weekly newspapers – so it is really worth it.
Further links
You can find out more about the development and possibilities of the open source software Folio in the Fokus Orange article: Library software FOLIO: THWS as a pilot library
Go directly to the THWS library