Specialist for media and information services is a rather long job title! This is why we use the abbreviation FaMI here in Germany (short for Fachangestellte*r für Medien- und Informationsdienste) There are five areas you can specialize in: archives, libraries, picture agencies, information and documentation, and medical documentation. You can find further information on the website of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.
Our services support members of the University as well as other users and a service-driven, reliable and motivated approach is important. Our work involves acquiring media and making them available for our users as well as helping users search for material. We offer our users a wide range of trainings and other events to help them use the library and study effectively. Information work, IT and media skills play an increasingly important role in our work and we are looking for people interested in working with different media as well as with technology and people.
Acquiring media and making them available for users
Media processing is an important part of working in a library. We organize the acquisition of new media with the help of our library management system. This involves checking the media, invoice processing, and media inventory. To enable users to access media via the Primo knowledge portal or on the shelves in the library, we catalog media according to the international RDA regulations and systematize them according to predefined systematics. The acquisition and processing of electronic media is as much a part of our work as digitizing existing holdings.
Conducting searches & finding information
Our customers are at the heart of our daily work. We have a number of information desks to help our visitors. We endeavor to answer all their questions and are there to guide them and help them locate the information they need. In today’s information and knowledge society, this task has become more important and challenging then ever. You will acquire the necessary knowledge on research strategies, search techniques and for using effective tools during your three-year traineeship.
User training and social media
We draw on a number of platforms including social media and chat functions to communicate with our users and inform them about our various trainings and events. We offer a number of events and trainings for students, researchers and other users to help them get the most out of their library or to support them with their studies or teaching. We organize and run these events ourselves and always try to introduce new formats and technical innovations.
Our trainees report on their experience at the TU Berlin
Lisa & Damon
© D. Grahl, UB TU Berlin
Lisa: “I feel very supported and welcome – as the person I am and with what I bring to the table. The traineeship offers a really wide insight into the world of library work. I have the chance to develop and contribute my own ideas.”
Damon: “I am 22 and have already completed two-and-a-half years of my FaMI traineeship at TU Berlin. I get to do a lot of interesting things in different departments at the library. The staff I meet everyday in my work are friendly and support and encourage me. At no time have I regretted choosing to do this traineeship.”
Luisa & Laura
© UB TU Berlin
Luisa: “I am really happy to be doing a FaMI traineeship at the TU Berlin University Library. My work here provides me with structure as well as professional opportunities, which is something I didn’t have when working as a freelancer. Most importantly, TU Berlin is a family-friendly employer. The range of tasks involved is really exciting and varied and also matches many of my areas of interest.”
Laura: "What I really enjoy about my traineeship at the University Library is that I get to experience a lot of different facets of library work. I provide advice and practical support for the library’s users but also work in the background. My colleagues are really friendly, capable and helpful towards me.”
Lilly & Laura
© D. Grahl, UB TU Berlin
Lilly: “I am enjoying my traineeship at TU Berlin. I can work in a creative way despite the typical library system. There are so many chances to develop.”
Laura: “I really like the training program at Technische Universität Berlin because it really helps me develop my strengths. I also get an insight into many different areas of work and the people I work with are always there to help me if I have any problems."
Your FAQs
What does the traineeship at the TU Berlin offer me?
- Traineeships at the University Library and the Economics & Management Library
- a traineeship with a lot of variety in the heart of Berlin
- a steady trainee position with attractive remuneration
- exciting, innovative working conditions
- 30 days’ annual leave
- employment for at least one year after successfully completing the traineeship
What qualifications do I need?
You should have at least a secondary school leaving certificate. You should particularly enjoy working with computers and media. Equally important is that you enjoy contact to people. You need to be willing to learn, physically resilient, and able to work at computer screens.
Applicants whose schooling was not in German need to be able to demonstrate C1 level in German according to the Common European Framework for Languages.
As we are primarily offering an initial vocational training, preference will be given to applicants who have not completed a previous professional qualification, such as school leavers or university dropouts.
What does the traineeship look like?
The three-year traineeship begins at the end of August/start of September each year. The program is based on a dual system: practical training in the University Library at Technische Universität Berlin or at the Economics & Management Library combined with theoretical training at the Louise-Schroeder-Schule.
The training is based primarily on the Ordinance on Vocational Training for Media and Information Services Specialists (Verordnung über die Berufsausbildung zum/zur Fachangestellten für Medien- und Informationsdienste) of 3 June 1998, amended on 21 August 1998, and last amended on 15 March 2000.
The training program
1st year
In the first year of your training, you will get to learn about every facet of your training Library.
- You will acquire the knowledge and skills for working in a library.
- You will learn the working processes involved and gain experience in the following areas: media processing, lending desk, information desk, external lending, bookbinding, administration.
- You will learn how to work with modern communication technology in all of these areas. The ALMA library system, word processing and spreadsheet programs, and the Internet are the most important tools here.
2nd year
Training in the second year builds on and strengthens the knowledge and skills acquired in the first year. Areas of focus include search strategies for library catalogs and databases.
3rd year
The final year will revise and provide further training in the areas you will be examined in. You will have a second, or in some cases third, opportunity to work in different areas of the library, working independently and providing support for colleagues.
How do I apply?
You can find the current job postings here.
Please send your application with the usual documents - summarized in a pdf-document, max. 5 MB - by e-mail to bewerbung.2024(at)ab.tu-berlin.de.
For more information about traineeship at the TU Berlin and to apply, please visit the homepage of the Vocational Training.
We are looking forward to your application!
What happens next?
If your application meets our requirements, you will be invited to attend an aptitude test. If you are successful here, you will be invited to an interview to give us a chance to get to know you better. If we think your are suitable for the traineeship, we will then make you an offer.
You can find out more about traineeships at TU Berlin on the website ofVocational Training.
What other training facilities are there?
You can view more training and internship facilities in the DAPS database.
