Mobile, mobile in my hand, which is the (seventh-)nicest university library in the entire land?

University Library of Chemnitz University of Technology was voted among the TOP 10 of the nicest university libraries in Germany within an Instagram-survey of the funk Content-Network of ARD and ZDF

Chemnitz University Library is the seventh-nicest university library in Germany. However, this was the result of a current instagram survey of the digital funk Content-Network of the public television broadcasters ARD and ZDF, in which participated subsequent to nomination of the TOP 10 of the university libraries more than 35.000 followers. The predominant target group of this network are persons in the age between 14 and 29 years with a high affinity to social media. “I am very delighted that our Library is particularly attractive for young people in the main age category of people interested in studies and students” comments Angela Malz, Library Director, the results and continues: “This is not only good news for us as Library but we thus also contribute to further raising the attractiveness of the University of Technology and Chemnitz as location for studies.”

Since its relocation in the year 2020, Chemnitz University Library is not only focused on one location, which considerably facilitates orientation for first-year-students, but by the renovated “Ancient Spinning Mill” it also disposes of a very representative building in the heart of the city with a long, very diversified history since its construction in mid 19^th century.

In its interior, the building provides a lot of space for a comprehensive open-shelves area extending on both side wings over four levels, for more than 700 standing, sitting, single and team workplaces as well as 19 reservable study cabins (“Carrels”) on the top level. Within the context of the “Third Place”, the “Common Area” in the east wing of the ground floor invites with two childrens’ corners, teamwork spaces as well as eight seating areas to relax and to communicate because here not only unmuted communication but also eating and drinking is permitted. Also culture lovers may benefit from a variety of events happening in a large space situated behind the “Common Area”, which was specifically designed for this purpose (“IdeenReich”) as well as from changing exhibitions on the 1^st level.   

Finally, those spatial offers are perfected by a variety of services of the University Library for its users ranging from rallies and guided tours via training and e-learning opportunities up to bookable individual consultations (“Book a librarian”).

In the past, the University Library was already awarded several times; Thus, the architects and the builder of the building received the particular acknowledgement of the jury of the “German University Building Prize 2022” as well as the acknowledgement within the award of the Prize for Architecture of the Association of German Architects Saxony 2021.

Back to the ranking of the nicest university libraries: In addition to the Biblioteca Albertina of the University of Leipzig (1^st place), the University and State Library Darmstadt (2^nd place) and the Library of the University of Hohenheim (3^rd place) were reaching the virtual winners’ rostrum. Beside the University Library of Chemnitz University of Technology also those of Marburg, Bamberg, Heidelberg, Tübingen, Freiburg and Berlin were voted underneath the Top Ten.

Event tip: If you would like to see Chemnitz University Library live in action, you should come to the "Long Night of Postponed Course Papers" (https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/ub/aktuell/veranstaltungen/landah.html.en) today from 04:00 pm on.

Website of the University Library: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/ub/index.html.en

(Authors: Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht, Mario Steinebach / Translation: Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht)

Mario Steinebach
05.02.2026

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