Day of the Library

Every great idea begins with curiosity, and at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences, curiosity finds its home in the Hans-Dieter Klingemann Library.

Named after the university’s founding president, the library is the intellectual heart of our campus,  a welcoming space for study, inspiration, and research. It serves as a bridge between creativity and academia, supporting students and faculty across all programmes at BI.

 A Space Designed for Discovery

The Hans-Dieter Klingemann Library is a specialised academic library, carefully curated to reflect the diverse disciplines taught at Berlin International. Its collections are structured across key fields:

• Design Section: General Design, Architecture & Interior Design (including Urban Studies), Product & Industrial Design, Graphic Design & Visual Communication, Communication and Media Studies
• Business Section: Business & Management (including Digital Business, International Management, and Organisational Psychology), Economics, Marketing, Computer Science & Data Science, Law, Psychology, Philosophy, Political and Social Sciences, and History.
• Periodicals and Journals: Regularly updated collections in design, architecture, business, and social sciences.
• Architecture & Design Materials Library (ADML): A distinctive feature of BI, this collection allows students to explore physical design materials — from surfaces and textiles to composites and innovative materials used in architecture and design practice.

Knowledge, Technology, and Support

The library is equipped with everything needed for focused and creative study:

• Spacious reading desks and group study areas
• Free Wi-Fi and access to university computers
• A self-service multifunction printer for copying and scanning
• Extended borrowing options, even during semester breaks

It is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 20:00 during teaching periods and until 17:00 during semester breaks, ensuring that students have access to resources throughout the academic year.

Beyond physical materials, the library also offers a range of digital resources, from online databases and e-books to academic journals. Students can access these resources anywhere, providing flexible and continuous learning opportunities.

Guided Learning and Research Support

Information literacy is at the core of the library’s mission.

Students and faculty can participate in guided tours, tutorials, and workshops that enhance their research skills, from learning how to evaluate sources critically to managing citations effectively.

Through LibGuides and online tutorials, the library helps users navigate digital databases efficiently. Additionally, it maintains the BI Institutional Bibliography, a growing archive that collects and showcases academic works by BI’s faculty and students, including theses, book chapters, and journal articles — preserving the university’s collective knowledge for future generations.

A Place for Connection and Reflection

While primarily open to BI students, staff, and faculty, the Hans-Dieter Klingemann Library remains a space that encourages collaboration and quiet focus alike.

Students often describe it as “the calmest corner of campus” — where they can explore new ideas, connect over shared interests, or simply enjoy a moment of peace surrounded by books.

It’s not just a room filled with shelves — it’s a reflection of BI’s values: creativity, openness, and global thinking.

Most Borrowed Books Last Semester

To mark the International Day of the Library, we also celebrate the books that captured the imagination of our students the most last semester:

• Adaptation Strategies for Interior Architecture and Design 
• Small Homes, Grand Living
• Rereadings
• Health and Well-being for Interior Architecture
• The Geometry of Type 
• Creative Confidence
• Design is Storytelling

These titles represent the vibrant curiosity of our students,  from exploring sustainable design strategies to celebrating the beauty of visual communication.

On this International Day of the Library, we celebrate not only the books and resources we hold but the endless curiosity, collaboration, and creativity they inspire within our BI community.

Here’s to the stories, research, and ideas waiting on every shelf, and to all who keep our library alive through curiosity and care.

Explore our library website to learn more about our collections and services.

https://www.berlin-international.de/en/community/student-services/library/