Universitätsbibliothek Mannheim

The central reading room, which already included a temporary group work zone has been transformed into a modern learning center. The aim was to create a place for learning, where the students could at any time find a most supportive and flexible environment particularly for collaborative, but also for informal learning, with the latest technical equipment. An important goal was to create as many different workspaces as possible by convenient zoning of the large space.
Detailed description

Central location on the suburban campus in the immediate vicinity of the central library and computer infocenter and of the busy area of libraries Schloss Schneckenhof South (Business Administration).
Rectangular ground plan, 1 level on the 1st floor in the east wing of the historical baroque castle. Ceiling height 5 m.Ceiling high windows with historical crossbar frames allow for natural light.

Year of completion
2014
Library category
Building type
Special Rooms

Learning zones separated by high wooden walls as “room within a room”, flexible furnishing without permanently installed Pcs.

Additional Comments

Capacity of 1.940.000 documents in 2014.

Publications
Publication name Publication comment Publication link
Annette Klein, Katharina Rautenberg, Jochen Usinger and Andrea Dombrowe (2014): Vom Lesesaal zum Learning Center. Ein neues Raum- und Benutzungskonzept an der UB Mannheim. BIT online : Zeitschrift für Bibliothek, Information und Technologie mit aktueller Internet-Präsenz, 17, 4, 321-328.

Project Data

Overall Cost
€ 650'000
Competition
No
Total Floor Area
19'653 m²
Shelving Capacity Open Stacks
19'400 linear meters
Shelving Capacity Closed Stacks
29'100 linear meters
Number Of Staff
83 FTE
Total Seating Capacity
2'012
Group Study Rooms
4

Location

Schloss Schneckenhof, 68131 Mannheim, Germany,