Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: Vocational training

The Weimar university library offers vocational training to those pursuing the career of a Fachangestellte für Medien- und Informationsdienste (FaMI) and professional training as a research volunteer to those pursuing librarianship as a second career path. Those of school age have the opportunity to get to know different aspects of library work during an internship.

FaMI
Research librarian training
Internship

As part of a three-year training programme, students with a Realschulabschluss or Abitur can, preferably as their first vocational training, undergo training at the University Library of Weimar to qualify as a Fachangestellte für Medien- und Informationsdienste (FaMI) with a focus on the library field.

Training profile:

an interesting FaMI training programme that qualifies participants for a wide range of tasks in academic and public libraries and also provides insights into the fields of archiving, information and documentation, medical documentation and image agencies,
training in the acquisition and cataloguing of media and the technical processing of the collection,
training in user services and information provision, particularly the provision of media through the local and inter-library loan services, supporting users with research and information retrieval, and the maintenance and organisation of the collection,
active participation in training courses and events,
gaining an insight into the remit of a specialist department,
training in administrative and organisational tasks,
a dual vocational training programme, which takes place in blocks at the vocational school in Sondershausen and at the University Library in Weimar,
external internships (also possible abroad).

Components of the training:

practical training at the University Library of Weimar,
theoretical training at the Kyffhäuserkreis State Vocational Training Centre, Sondershausen.

Training conditions:

the training is full-time with a 40-hour working week,
the training allowance is determined in accordance with the collective agreement for Auszubildenden in the federal states in apprenticeship occupations under the Vocational Training Act (TVA-L BBiG) and any collective agreements supplementing, amending or replacing it, in their currently valid versions,
(Proportional) reimbursement of travel costs to the vocational school and accommodation in Sondershausen,
Support and funding via ERASMUS+ for an internship abroad.

Training requirements:

a good Realschulabschluss,
Openness to technological changes and computer-based tasks
conscientious and responsible work ethic,
motivation and an interest in new developments in the library sector,
a good command of German and at least one other language, both spoken and written,
Commitment, a team-oriented attitude and a genuine enjoyment of working with people.

Training cycle:

The Weimar University Library generally offers one training place every three years.

Current vacancy:

The next training position will be advertised in autumn 2027 at the earliest, with the training commencing on 1 September 2028.
The vacancy is advertised via the Human Resources department of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and can be viewed here.

Legal basis and further information:

Regulation on Vocational Training,
Thuringia State Administration Office as the competent authority for the profession,
Kyffhäuserkreis Sondershausen State Vocational Training Centre (vocational school).

References:

Karin Holste-Flinspach, 1. Thüringer FaMI-Tag, in: BuB, Vol. 73 (2021), Issue 5, pp. 281–282.
Susanne Taege, Quo vadis FaMI-Ausbildung?: Modernisierung der Ausbildungsordnung nötig, in: BuB, Vol. 71 (2019), Issue 5, pp. 310–311.

As part of a two-year research traineeship, university graduates can train as research librarians at Weimar University Library.

Training profile:

an interesting training programme to become a research librarian, qualifying you for challenging and varied tasks in academic libraries,
training in specialist departmental work, including the acquisition and cataloguing of specialist literature, training and advising library users, and Open Science,
the development of administrative and managerial skills,
a post-graduate distance-learning programme,
external internships.

Training components:

practical training at the University Library of Weimar,
theoretical training as part of the post-graduate distance learning programme at the Institute of Library and Information Science at Humboldt University in Berlin, leading to the academic title of a ‘Master of Arts (Library and Information Science)’.

Training conditions:

the training is full-time with a 40-hour working week,
remuneration in accordance with the guidelines of the Free State of Thuringia amounting to 50% of the salary for pay grade 13, level 1 of the TV-L,
coverage of the costs for the distance learning programme, including travel expenses.

Training requirements:

a successfully completed university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a subject relevant to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar or as specified in the vacancy notice,
a keen interest in new developments in the library sector,
a confident command of spoken and written German and English,
Commitment, personal responsibility and an interest in library work.

Training cycle:

The Weimar University Library generally offers one training position every two years.
The position is currently advertised (application deadline: 20 February 2026). The job advertisement can be viewed here.

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Current vacancy:

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References:

Training profile:

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