Your study starts right here

Even in the digital age, a real library is necessary. Browsing the shelves enables a self-critical approach to the unknown.

TEXT: KATHRIN WINTER

"Your <….> starts right here" - this sentence, supplemented by the various locations, stations and service points within the HfMDK, helped the applicants on their way through the aptitude test in June 2022. However, one poster was missing: "Your library visit starts right here". But where is the library? Do we need a poster like that? Admittedly: Currently, the "physical" library can be found in the furthest, but greenest and quietest corner of the main location on Eschersheimer Landstraße, in building B. It is a labyrinthine, outdated space.

The shelves are full and we are constantly looking for new location solutions for media groups. The "virtual" library, on the other hand, is everywhere: in the foyer, in Gervinusstraße, in the Great Hall, even in the suburban train or in Korea, China, South America... And what should "our" new HfMDK library look like? Even in the digital age, a real library location is necessary: it is the libraries (and their staff) that license, reference and make accessible digitized media. Music (university) libraries are still primarily collections of books, sheet music and sound carriers (although the latter are being displaced the most by digitization). They are also a central place of learning, teaching and study as well as a specialist information center with modern media and technical equipment.

From this point of view, it should also be centrally located: bright - friendly - open - spacious - lively, but with retreats for quiet work alone and in small groups. The library is of equal interest to all members of the university, both academics, lecturers in theory and practice and, of course, students with a wide range of interests. From the library, they swarm out in all directions of the university: into theory and science, into individual instrumental lessons, into chamber music rehearsals, onto the drama, dance and opera stage, into the orchestra pit and choir rehearsals. We cater for all ensembles and the excuse should never be: "It was too far to go to the library".

Another aspect of my "dream library": physical media - systematically arranged - inspire far more than laboriously researched, filtered digital collections. I would rather present the sheet music in a free-standing arrangement today than tomorrow: "Browsing" at the shelf brings new ideas, helps to get to know works that would never have been found with a simple catalog search and thus broadens the horizon and enables a self-critical approach to the unknown. It is not the information "Your LIBRARY VISIT starts right here", but rather the
"Your STUDY starts right here (in the library)" should be on the poster.