Opening hours
We are here for you
Tuesday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Library
Advancing knowledge – with the largest specialised scientific library for adult education in the German-speaking world.
Our users are researchers, teachers, students and practitioners from the fields of adult and continuing education and related disciplines.
Our focus
Since 1958, our focus has been on literature on adult education, continuing education and lifelong learning – supplemented by content from related scientific fields. This literature includes publications that are difficult to access, such as grey literature and international e-journals.
We are increasingly offering research-related services, strengthening networks and actively participating in third-party funded projects, expert committees and open access initiatives. Our own publications are also part of our academic identity. In addition, we train specialist staff for media and information services.
Networked and visible – regionally and internationally
We record and index specialist journals down to the article level, tag content and supply data to central research infrastructures such as the FIS Education Literature Database in the Education Portal.
As a member of the South-West German Library Network (SWB), we catalogue our media in the K10plus union catalogue – they are also visible in WorldCat.
At the same time, we are systematically expanding our holdings in related disciplines such as psychology, social sciences and business administration. We support open access transformation through models such as DEAL and crowdfunding.
Research
Since the 1980s, our collection has been electronically recorded in the DIE literature database on adult education and can be searched online via the library catalogue. Literature published before 1981 can be found on site in the card catalogues – we are happy to help.
Specialist journals
Specialist journals
Our printed journals are listed in full in the library catalogue. Full access to our electronic journals is available from the DIE campus network via the Electronic Journal Library (EZB).
Databases
Databases
We offer the Database Information System (DBIS) for searching databases. Over 6,000 databases are freely available via the internet.
Acquisition suggestions
Acquisition suggestions
Do you have any acquisition suggestions? Simply log in to your user account and submit them online.
New acquisitions list
New acquisitions list
You can find out about the newly acquired literature in the DIE library in the new acquisitions list. You can access older lists (1st quarter 2004 to 3rd quarter 2021) here.
Loans
The DIE Library is a publicly accessible reference library with open-access shelving. Printed books and journals may only be borrowed by members of the Institute and not by external users. This also applies to access to our e-books.
Interlibrary loan and document delivery services
Interlibrary loan and document delivery services
The DIE Library is approved for interlibrary loans between libraries in the Federal Republic of Germany in accordance with the Interlibrary Loan Regulations (LVO).
Literature that is not available in the DIE Library can be ordered by institute members via the interlibrary loan portal.
Research-related services
Research-related services
Since 2017, we have been supporting research projects at the DIE with structured research data management (FDM). The aim is to ensure the sustainable preservation and reuse of data in accordance with the FAIR principles.
A research data handbook and the Standardised Data Management Plan for Educational Research (Stamp), co-developed by the library, serve as aids in every project phase.
Our services also include the management of research information, metadata and publication services:
- Metadata management & repository
- Support with persistent identifiers
- Creation of the Institute’s bibliography
- Support for standardisation, documentation and monitoring processes
- Advice on the affiliation policy
Archives
Archives
The library also holds extensive historical collections, e.g., journals on adult education dating back to 1900 and archives. These include the estates of important adult educators and the Institute archives. The meta-archive is a directory of literature, (external) archive holdings and brief information on historical figures and institutions in adult education. In addition, adult education centre (VHS) programmes have been a focal point of the DIE's collection since 1957. The VHS programme archive consists of the print archive and the digital programme archive (DiPA), which includes both purely digital documents (originally digital) and retro-digitised material. Almost all of the documents are available in open access. The Digital Programme Archive is also integrated into the NFDI consortium Text+.
Part of the campaign ‘Weiter Wissen. Mit uns.’ (Further knowledge. With us.)
Academic libraries are the driving force behind open science and society. With the campaign ‘Weiter Wissen. Mit uns.’ (Further knowledge. With us.), the German Library Association (dbv) aims to highlight the social relevance of academic libraries, their tasks and functions. We are part of it!
An overview of the academic libraries in Germany that are members of the German Library Association can be found via the member search of dbv Section 4 and dbv Section 5.
Working and learning in the library
Our library offers a wide range of opportunities for concentrated work and collaborative learning – whether alone or in a group:
- Zones for individual and collaborative work
- Wandelbare Besprechungsinseln
- Open conference rooms
- Formal workspaces with functional equipment
- Comfortable lounge areas for informal learning
- Mobile touchscreens for interactive presentations
- Book scanner (please bring a USB stick)
- Free WiFi
- Research PC
Lockers are available for personal belongings.
How to get there
The DIE Library is located on the premises of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMFTR). The premises are located in the northern part of the DIE and are accessible via the ground floor.
Registration
Advance registration is required for visits and access. Please fill out the form below and bring an identity card to present at the gate.