Hong Kong Library Education and Career
Forum 2010
Saturday, 14th August 2010
Gabriele Sander
Goethe-Institut Hongkong
Contents
1 Working in a Library: Characteristics
2 Special Libraries
3 The Goethe-Institut : a Worldwide Network
4 The Goethe-Institut Hongkong Librarian: Example of a Career
5 The Goethe-Institut Hongkong : Part of a Global Network
6 The Department of Library and Information, Goethe-Institut Hongkong
7 Job Requirements
8 Things to Remember
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Working in a Library: Characteristics
● Love to work with and for people
● Need of flexibility
● High demand for social skills
● Good communication skills
● Willing to learn every day
● Willing to make decisions
● Good manners
● Being a role model
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Special Libraries
● Special libraries, sometimes referred to as information centers, are
located in a multitude of settings, including international organizations,
advocacy organizations, government agencies, professional associations,
large corporations, medical and/or health institutions, law firms, non-profit
organizations, research centers etc.
● Deal with special interests
● Most likely the head of the special library is not the head of the
organization!
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Afghanistan Côte d'Ivoire Jordanien Mexiko
Ägypten Dänemark Kamerun Namibia
Algerien Deutschland
GOETHE-INSTITUT Kanada Nepal
Argentinien Ecuador
A WORLDWIDE NETWORK Kasachstan Neuseeland
Äthiopien Estland Kenia Niederlande
Australien Finnland Kolumbien Nigeria
Bangladesh Frankreich Korea Norwegen
Belarus Georgien Kroatien Pakistan
Belgien Ghana Lettland Palästinensisc
BolivienParis
São Paulo Libanon
Griechenland Bangkok Rotterdam TelAutonomiegeb
Istanbul Toronto Aviv Addis Abeba
Bosnien und Großbritannien Litauen Paraguay
Herzegowina Indien Luxemburg Peru
Brasilien Indonesien Madagaskar Philippinen
Bulgarien Irland Malaysia Polen
Chile Israel Mali Portugal
China Italien Marokko Rumänien
Costa Rica Japan Mazedonien Russland
At a Glance
● 149 locations worldwide
● 136 institutes in 91 countries
● 10 liaison offices
● 13 institutes in Germany
● Non-governmental organization (NGO)
● Active on behalf of the
Federal Republic of Germany
● Head office in Munich
● 2,800 employees worldwide
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Locations Worldwide
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Locations in Germany
and Europe
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The Goethe-Institut Hongkong Librarian
● German Diploma of Librarianship for Public Libraries
● Head of branch libraries of City of Bochum
● Head of mobile libraries, Bochum
● Goethe-Institut librarian, employed in Munich, postings to:
Melbourne, Australia
New Delhi, India
Riga, Latvia
Hanoi, Vietnam
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Hong Kong
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Goethe-Institut Hongkong
German Cultural Centre
Opened in 1963
● Language Department
● Cultural Department
● Library & Information Department
Department‘s Work Areas:
Projects
Library
Staff: 2.5 positions (librarians/
technician)
http://www.goethe.de/hongkong
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Projects: Knowledge Exchange
● Lectures
● Seminars and Workshops
● Exhibitions
● Conferences
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Projects:Topics 2007 - 2010
● Reading promotion
● Digitization and Preservation
● Quality management
● Book design
● Book promotion
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Topics:
Reading Promotion: Lectures/Seminars
● Location Library: We'll attract
them all! Ideas to support reading
motivation 2008
http://www.goethe.de/ins/cn/hon/a
cv/bib/2008/en3589150v.htm
● National and international
books awards. An overview:
Influences on authors, publishing
houses and reading promotion
http://www.goethe.de/ins/cn/hon/a
cv/bib/2007/en2777305v.htm
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Topics: Digitization and Preservation –
Lecture/Workshop
● Preserving the Past :
Restoration of European Books
17.11. - 20.11.2009
http://www.goethe.de/ins/cn/hon/a
cv/bib/2009/en5208232v.htm
● Mass digitization, Scan
Robotics, and more:
The Digitization Strategy of the
Bavarian State Library as an
International research Library
2008
http://www.goethe.de/ins/cn/hon/a
cv/bib/2008/en3740942v.htm
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Topics:
Quality Management: Lectures
● Networking – a Strategic
Approach for Frankfurt City
Library 29.04.2010
http://www.goethe.de/ins/cn/hon/a
cv/bib/2010/enindex.htm
● Human Resources Development
in a City Library 28.04.2010
http://www.goethe.de/ins/cn/hon/a
cv/bib/2010/enindex.htm
● Changing Societies need
Innovative Libraries
03.12.2009
http://www.goethe.de/ins/cn/hon/a
cv/bib/2009/enindex.htm
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Topics:
Book Design; Book Promotion - Exhibitions
● Contemporary Picture Book
Illustration in Germany 2009
http://www.goethe.de/ins/cn/hon/a
cv/bib/2009/en4890363v.htm
● Treasure for our Children:
An exhibition of award-winning
children and youth books in
Germany, the Mainland China,
Hong Kong and Taiwan 2007
http://www.goethe.de/ins/cn/hon/a
cv/bib/2007/en2744038v.htm
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Projects: Partners
● Library associations (Hong Kong,
Guangdong, Beijing)
● University Libraries in HK and
Guangzhou
● Department for Library Sciences,
Sun Yat-sen U, Guangzhou
● Public Libraries in HK and
Guangdong
● Sun Yat-Sen Library of
Guangdong Province
● National Library of China
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Library of Goethe-Institut Hongkong:
Facts and Figures (2009)
● Media provides information on Germany or the German language
● Open to the public
● 6.800 media items; 2/3 printed material, 1/3 audio-visual material
● 2.100 media items in the English or Chinese language
● 480 active users
● 11.700 lendings
● 6 days per week; 20 hours
● 2 librarians, 1 part time technician
● Classification: modified Dewey
● Catalogue: WinIBW (German Library Cooperation system)
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Job Requirements!
● Curiousity and respect for people
● Open minded character
● Sensibility and strength
● Flexibility
● Willingness to learn
● Willingness to be independent
● Knowledge of languages
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Things to Remember
● Attend conferences, seminars
● Networking
● Stay in touch with colleagues
● Interest in different library works
● Be patient to yourselve
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Good bye and Auf Wiedersehen!
Thank you for your interest!
Gabriele Sander
Head of Library and Information
Service
Goethe-Institut Hongkong
Tel: +852 28299920
Fax: +852 28024363
sander@hongkong.goethe.org
http://www.goethe.de/hongkong
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