Career at Bochum University Library

Are you looking for a varied, interesting position or an apprenticeship or internship? Are you communicative and open in your dealings with people? Do you enjoy working independently, but are you also a team player? But above all: do you share our passion for books, digital media and access to information?

Then welcome to Bochum University Library! We offer a variety of entry-level positions in the library profession:

Training/internships

Ruhr University Bochum is one of the largest employers and training companies in Bochum and offers various training opportunities, depending on capacity. You can find initial information on this page.

Dual study program "Library and Digital Communication" (Bachelor's degree program)

The Bochum University Library (UB) offers places for the dual study program Library and Digital Communication (BA). This course combines the Bachelor's degree course in Library and Digital Communication at the TH Cologne with practical phases at Bochum University Library. The course comprises 7 semesters and starts in September. Bochum University Library is one of the largest academic libraries in NRW and is responsible for supplying the RUB campus with media and information as well as for the library services required for research and teaching at RUB.

Your profile:

good degree of (technical) university entrance qualification
Affinity for printed and digital media of all kinds
Enjoy working with people from different cultural backgrounds
Interest in information technology and digital developments
High level of motivation and commitment
Good comprehension skills and independence
Good teamwork and communication skills
Flexibility and ability to work under pressure

What can you expect?

Teaching the essential basics in the areas of digital information society, library management, information services, information indexing and IT and media
Teaching of methodological and key skills
Practical introduction to all areas of a large academic library
academic library: user and information services (including training), media processing (print and digital),
publication services / open access, research-related services (research information, digital humanities), library IT
Insights into traditional library tasks as well as new, innovative services
Support for the various teams and involvement in various projects
Independent project work during the internship semester

What we offer:

a varied working environment in an innovative academic library
sound professional support and dedicated, approachable trainers throughout the entire duration of your studies
integration into collegial teams
an open working atmosphere
an attractive salary during your studies of currently around €1,200
30 days vacation
Very good career development opportunities
We aim to offer permanent employment after successful completion of the BA program

Further Information:
Employment is on a trainee basis and is governed by the Vocational Training Act (BBiG). During the dual study program, the training allowance for the 4th year of training is paid in accordance with TVA-L BBiG.

Contact:
If you are interested, please apply with the following documents: cover letter, CV, current certificate, proof of additional qualifications. Please send your application online as a PDF document to: ub-ausbildung@rub.de. Do you have any questions? Please email or call us: ub-ausbildung@rub.de or call +49 234 32 27664 (Petra Schwartges, Training Manager)

More Links (only in German):

Apprenticeship as a specialist for media and information services (FaMI), specializing in libraries

The Ruhr University Bochum is one of the largest employers and training companies in Bochum and offers, among other things, training as a specialist for media and information services (FaMI), specializing in the library. On this page you will find initial information about training as a FaMI at Bochum University Library.

Requirements:
School-leaving certificate: at least Fachoberschulreife, good grades in German and English
Interests: enjoy interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds, working with PCs and digital and printed media, organizing, arranging and managing
Working style: careful, independent, team-oriented, flexible, communicative, able to work under pressure

The apprenticeship:
Duration: 3 years, shortening to 2.5 years possible with good performance
Next start of training: expected September 2026
Type of training: Dual training, i.e. 3 days in the company, two days at Karl-Schiller-Berufskolleg in Dortmund
Examinations: written intermediate examination after 1.5 years, written and oral final examination after 3 or 2.5 years

Training allowance currently:

1st year of training: € 1086.82
2nd year of training: € 1140.96
3rd year of training: € 1190.61

Training content:

Training company (including legal form, labour and social law principles, occupational safety)
Procurement, development and provision of media of all kinds
Information and communication systems (catalogues, databases)
Conservation and maintenance of collections
User service, customer advice and information provision
Work organization and office communication
Public relations (events, information material)
Internships in other libraries, archives and other information facilities, also in other EU countries

What we offer:

Committed and approachable trainers
sound professional support throughout the entire training period
a varied working environment in an innovative academic library
integration into collegial teams
Benefits such as canteen, sports courses and free further training
Attractive remuneration, 30 days' vacation, good chances of being taken on after successful completion of training
good public transport connections

The vocational school:

2 days per week at the Karl-Schiller-Berufskolleg in Dortmund
School subjects: SBM (Special Business Studies in Media and Information Services), AWL (general economics), Organization/data processing
German and English
usually one year each of politics, religion, biology and sport

More Links (only in German):

Internships

Internships in preparation for the additional Master in Library and Information Science (TH Köln) or Master Information Science (HU Berlin). Various training opportunities are offered throughout Germany to prepare students for the higher library service - from traineeships to part-time further education courses. The aim is to prepare students for jobs in high-ranking positions in libraries and other institutions in the information industry.

Compulsory internships/practical phase of the Library and Digital Communication degree program (TH Köln)
The examination regulations of TH Köln stipulate a practical phase of 20 weeks in the fourth semester for the Bachelor's degree course "Library and Digital Communication".

Internships for Fami trainees from other disciplines
The Bochum University Library offers three to four-week internships for Fami trainees from other disciplines. Where possible, the wishes of the trainees with regard to specific areas of specialization are taken into account.

Student Internships
As part of the internship program, we offer students the opportunity to complete two to three-week internships. During this time, the interns get to know the most important departments of the University Library as well as several specialist libraries and can actively participate in some areas. Please note: we do not offer one-day internships as part of the career exploration program!

Kontakt:
If you are interested, please apply with the following documents: cover letter, CV, current certificate, proof of additional qualifications. Please send your application online as a PDF document to: ub-ausbildung@rub.de. Do you have any questions? Please email or call us: ub-ausbildung@rub.de or call +49 234 32 27664 (Petra Schwartges, Training Manager)

More Links (only in German):