On September 3, 2015, members of the University Library visited Hirschberg at the invitation of the Giant Mountains University(Karkonoska Państwowa Szkoła Wyższa, Jelenia Gora). This continued the process of mutual exchange of experience and cooperation initiated last year.

The Chancellor of the Giant Mountains University of Applied Sciences, Ms. Grażyna Malczuk, invited the guests to a meeting in the Senate Hall in the morning. In addition to the Chancellor, Ms. Kamila Biniek, Doz. Dr. Józef Zaprucki and Library Director Kazimierz Stapór from the Polish side and Dr. Falk Maiwald, Mr. Kazimierz Jarema and Mr. Ralf Schwarzbach from our university took part.

In conversation: Ms. Chancellor Grażyna Malczuk, Ms. Kamila Biniek, Mr. Doz. Dr. Józef Zaprucki, Library Director Kazimierz Stapór, Dr. Falk Maiwald, Mr. Ralf Schwarzbach, Mr. Kazimierz Jarema (from right to left)

In the constructive meeting, both sides discussed the main features of further cooperation after an application for funding for a joint library project submitted to a foundation in 2014 was unfortunately rejected despite a positive expert opinion. Dr. Maiwald (Director of the Centre for Communication and Information) made it clear that it is important for the Zittau/Görlitz University Library to have a solid foundation for the collaboration. Accordingly, it was agreed that both sides would develop objectives and principles in the near future, on the basis of which project approaches would then be further developed and EU funding applied for.

Library Director Kazimierz Stapór then gave the guests a tour of the library. While the majority of the books are in the reading room as reference collection, books can only be borrowed from a correspondingly extensive stacks - in contrast to the usual practice at our University Library. The library pays particular attention to computer technology for the visually impaired. This technology is also used for the training of students in the relevant degree courses at the Giant Mountains University of Applied Sciences.

In the reading room of the library

During a short tour of the park-like campus, Mr. Doz. Dr. Józef Zaprucki drew attention to the dendrological nature trail, on which selected trees and shrubs are labeled in five languages (Polish, Latin, German, English, Russian). In addition, Ms. Kamila Biniek proudly pointed out the almost new indoor swimming pool and the largest sports hall in Hirschberg on the campus.

Historic entrance area of the large sports hall on campus

After lunch, a number of practical issues relating to cooperation were discussed. Among other things, the possibility of a two-month stay by a Polish student at our University Library as part of the ERASMUS+ program was discussed.