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Short interview
Interview with Rector Prof. Dr. Anja Steinbeck: Library opening hours

The acute energy crisis from last winter appears to have been averted. Do we still need to save energy? Yes, because HHU has set itself the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2035. In parallel to the technical measures, our behavior needs to change. Therefore, the opening times of the University and State Library (ULB) will not be fully extended to the level they were before the energy crisis. But the central library and the law library will be open longer again on the weekend. Rector Prof. Dr. Anja Steinbeck explains this decision in a short interview.

Do we really need to continue saving energy?
In any case. Let me briefly explain the background: The country has obliged us to save 20 percent energy over the winter of 2022/23. For this purpose, an energy task force was founded with representatives from all faculties and the AStA. It was clear and it was said early on in various committees - for example in the Senate - that there can be no return to the status quo before the energy crisis in the foreseeable future if we are serious about our goal from the University Development Plan (HEP), that our university wants to be climate neutral in 2035. We will only achieve this goal with a combination of structural or technical measures and behavioral changes. We all contribute to its success. We all have responsibility here.

Why are the opening times of the University and State Library (ULB) not completely returned to the level before the energy crisis?
The ULB with its six locations is very important for the presence of our university. Of course I'm aware of that. But that doesn't mean that opening hours are sacrosanct; especially since the central library requires a lot of energy to be heated in winter and cooled accordingly in summer. Off-peak times that are less frequent therefore offer great potential for savings. The usage figures show that more study and work space is needed on weekends than late in the evening during the week. We have therefore decided to open the central library and the law library on Saturdays and Sundays from October 21, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - and therefore two hours longer. On weekdays, the current opening times of all library locations remain.

Why do students have to contribute to the savings measures by changing their behavior?
Our savings measures are by no means limited to libraries. We have also shortened operating times in the offices and laboratories. With all measures we also want to ensure that research at our university is not unreasonably impaired. We strive to strike a balance between savings needs and needs. If we want to achieve our goal of climate neutrality, we will have to accept all restrictions. It is important to me that we continue to have a dialogue about this.

 

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© Susanne Kurz

[Translate to English:] Zu den Öffnungszeiten der Bibliothek und den Energiesparmaßnahmen äußert sich Rektorin Prof. Dr. Anja Steinbeck.

The acute energy crisis from last winter appears to have been averted. Do we still need to save energy? Yes, because HHU has set itself the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2035. In parallel to the technical measures, our behavior needs to change. Therefore, the opening times of the University and State Library (ULB) will not be fully extended to the level they were before the energy crisis. But the central library and the law library will be open longer again on the weekend. Rector Prof. Dr. Anja Steinbeck explains this decision in a short interview.

Do we really need to continue saving energy?
In any case. Let me briefly explain the background: The country has obliged us to save 20 percent energy over the winter of 2022/23. For this purpose, an energy task force was founded with representatives from all faculties and the AStA. It was clear and it was said early on in various committees - for example in the Senate - that there can be no return to the status quo before the energy crisis in the foreseeable future if we are serious about our goal from the University Development Plan (HEP), that our university wants to be climate neutral in 2035. We will only achieve this goal with a combination of structural or technical measures and behavioral changes. We all contribute to its success. We all have responsibility here.

Why are the opening times of the University and State Library (ULB) not completely returned to the level before the energy crisis?
The ULB with its six locations is very important for the presence of our university. Of course I'm aware of that. But that doesn't mean that opening hours are sacrosanct; especially since the central library requires a lot of energy to be heated in winter and cooled accordingly in summer. Off-peak times that are less frequent therefore offer great potential for savings. The usage figures show that more study and work space is needed on weekends than late in the evening during the week. We have therefore decided to open the central library and the law library on Saturdays and Sundays from October 21, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - and therefore two hours longer. On weekdays, the current opening times of all library locations remain.

Why do students have to contribute to the savings measures by changing their behavior?
Our savings measures are by no means limited to libraries. We have also shortened operating times in the offices and laboratories. With all measures we also want to ensure that research at our university is not unreasonably impaired. We strive to strike a balance between savings needs and needs. If we want to achieve our goal of climate neutrality, we will have to accept all restrictions. It is important to me that we continue to have a dialogue about this.

 

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