Library history
The library was founded in 1984 by Dagmar Filter and Gisela Kamke on behalf of the Joint Commission for Women’s Studies and Women’s Research at Hamburg’s Universities. This makes it the oldest university women’s library in Germany! In 2024, we’ll celebrate the library’s 40th anniversary.
As the library’s collection has continued to grow over time, it has had to be relocated multiple times over the course of its history. The library was first stored at Allende-Platz 1 before moving to Binderstrasse 34, then to Rothenbaumchaussee 19. For a number of years now, it has been located at Monetastrasse 4.
From 1984 until early 2010, the library was managed by Gisela Kamke.
On 1 February 2010, she handed over the reins to Jana Reich, who has been the library’s director ever since. She is supported by two student assistants and usually also one intern.
Strictly speaking, our library is a one-person library (OPL)—a special academic library that is managed by just one person and has no direct supervisors in its supporting organisation. These days, most libraries are OPLs.
The OPL librarian’s tasks include:
- Self-management: optimizing the allocation of activities, further training
- Time management and planning: effective, anticipatory work
- Personnel management: optimal use of non-specialist employees in the OPL (students, interns)
- Change management: professional development and implementation in work activities
- Presentation of benefits to the library’s supporters: lobbying, management by walking around
- Library marketing: advertising for library services, training
- Networking
- Implementation and improvement of disadvantages pursuant to salary law and job classification law