Beamter/Beamtin im Bibliothekswesen (gehobener nichttechnischer Dienst)

Learning locations are: University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration in Bavaria, Department of Archival and Library Science: lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, libraries. Academic libraries, public libraries, special libraries, documentation centers: office and storage rooms. At home (e.g., preparation and follow-up of courses, completion of homework).

Amendment of the Federal Civil Service Regulations: The new Federal Civil Service Regulations came into force on March 17, 2026. They open up needs-based special access routes to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. A key focus of the reform is, among other things, the equal treatment of vocational and academic education. For example, access for persons with vocational further education qualifications such as Bachelor Professional or Master Professional is now also possible in the higher technical administrative service and in the higher scientific service.

Occupation Type: Civil service training; differing career designations in individual Bundesländer (federal states). Type of Training: Studium (university studies) at the University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration in Bavaria, Department of Archival and Library Science, practical Studienabschnitte (study sections) primarily in academic libraries, partly also in public libraries, special libraries, documentation centers. Degree: Bachelor. Duration: 3 years. Tasks and Activities: Librarians are involved in developing media and information resources and making them accessible and usable. They work with analog and digital media, VR glasses, or 3D printers. They index these media so that users can find what they are looking for effectively. They advise on research and the use of library services, manage the collection via integrated library systems, and can also use datasets and resources independently of location through supra-regional library networks. Since public libraries are part of municipal culture...

3 years

The selection process usually consists of a written and an oral part. The written part tests, for example, language comprehension, general knowledge, historical knowledge, and logical-deductive reasoning. The oral part consists, for example, of a discussion round, a group task or a short presentation, and an interview.

Structure of the Bachelor's degree program in the higher library service: 1st Semester: Theory modules at the University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration in Bavaria, Department of Archival and Library Science: 6 months. 2nd Semester: Internship module at an academic library, short internship at a public library: 6 months. 3rd and 4th Semester: Theory modules at the University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration in Bavaria, Department of Archival and Library Science: 12 months. 5th Semester: Internship module at an academic library, short internship at a special library, in a documentation center, or abroad: 6 months. 6th Semester: Bachelor module and theory modules at the University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration in Bavaria, Department of Archival and Library Science: 6 months. Career or Qualification Examination. Total Studium (university studies) duration: 3 years.

No Studium (university study) fees are charged. Travel costs or costs for learning materials may arise. If accommodation is provided at the educational institutions, additional costs may also be incurred.

The Studium (university study) content is organized in modules. Theoretical study sections include, for example: job-related key qualifications, library services, foundations of library and information science, information technology, management and law, media studies and media processing. Practical study sections impart professional knowledge and experience.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: During the theoretical Studium (university study) sections: Attend lectures and seminars in the lecture halls and seminar rooms of the University of Public Service in Bavaria, Department of Archival and Library Science. Conduct practical exercises, e.g., foreign language exercises. Independent work: prepare and review lectures, research in libraries, prepare presentations, write term papers (also during lecture-free periods). Organization: e.g., adhere to given submission deadlines for presentations and term papers. During the practical Studium (university study) sections: Practical collaboration (under guidance): e.g., research in databases, order media, catalog new acquisitions. Key qualifications: e.g., expand problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills. Assessments are carried out throughout the entire Studium (university study).

The exemplary monthly gross basic salary for a civil service candidate is €1,564. Source: Bundesland (federal state) salary laws. Note: In addition to the basic salary, the civil service candidate's emoluments include capital-forming benefits, possibly also a family allowance, and other allowances, remunerations, and surcharges.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for a successful Studium (university study): German: e.g., to prepare and give presentations. Law: e.g., to be able to understand library-relevant law. English/French/Latin etc.: e.g., as prior knowledge in at least two foreign languages is already required for admission to the Studium (university study).

The following alternatives are available for the profession of civil servant in the higher library service (Beamter/Beamtin im gehobenen Bibliotheksdienst): Area of Law and Administration: Civil servant in archival service (Beamter/Beamtin im Archivdienst - gehobener nichttechnischer Dienst), Civil servant in general internal administration (Beamter/Beamtin in der Allgemeinen Inneren Verwaltung - gehobener nichttechnischer Dienst). Commonality: planning and organizing administrative processes. Area of Printing and Media: Book Science (grundständig). Commonality: analyzing technical, economic, and journalistic processes in the book industry. Area of Archives, Libraries, and Documentation: Library and Information Science (grundständig), Archival Science (grundständig). Commonality: managing, securing, and making archival or library collections accessible to users.

The Bologna Process, which began in 1999, reformed the European higher education landscape. Its goals included creating a unified European higher education area, harmonizing study programs and degrees by introducing Bachelor's and Master's degrees, and improving the mobility of students and teaching staff.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) for the higher library service is conducted as a preparatory service or a Bachelor's Studium (university study) and lasts 3 years. It is regulated by the ordinances of the Bundesländer (federal states) and concludes with a career/Bachelor's examination. Additionally, there is the option to study Library and Information Science at universities.

This Studium is legally regulated in the mentioned Bundesländer and leads to the following degree titles: In Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate, Bachelor of Arts - Library and Information Management (B.A. - Bibliotheks- und Informationsmanagement). Career titles are exemplary and can vary depending on the Bundesland; for instance, civil servant in library services at academic libraries (third entry level) or civil servant in librarianship (higher service/third qualification level). The responsible authority determines whether the career path is offered as a Studium.

After their Studium, civil servants in the higher library service work in academic and public libraries, as well as in archives. To stay up-to-date, they can pursue Anpassungsweiterbildung (adaptive further training) in topics ranging from librarianship to public relations. With appropriate aptitude, civil servants in the higher library service have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful promotion procedure. Further Studium, such as obtaining a Master's degree in Library and Information Science, can also be considered.

The Studium for civil servant careers is regulated by the Bundesländer in their own ordinances, and these provisions may differ. For example, there is the Ordinance on the Specialization in Librarianship (FachV-Bibl) in Bavaria and the Training and Examination Regulations for Access to the Third Entry Level in Library Services at Academic Libraries in Rhineland-Palatinate. There are no state-specific legal regulations in Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia.

The prerequisite is the Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification) or the allgemeine Hochschulreife (general university entrance qualification), or a comparable educational qualification. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate adequate knowledge in two foreign languages.