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20 years 24/7 for knowledge and research
The KIT Library on South Campus has been open around the clock for 20 years and has become an integral part of the everyday lives of many students and researchers. What began in 2006 as an innovative pilot project set standards early on: As one of the first fully automated large scientific libraries in Germany, the library enabled 24/7 access to knowledge, learning spaces and services.
"We are very proud that our service has established itself so sustainably over the years," emphasizes Dr. Arne Upmeier, Director of the KIT Library. "However, this success would not be possible without the great commitment of our team, who ensure day after day that the library remains open, safe and service-oriented at all times."
The Karlsruhe model proved to be groundbreaking and was adopted by numerous academic libraries.
The basis for long-term operation is a consistently user-oriented and technically supported infrastructure - from automated lending and return systems to a sophisticated security and access concept. At the same time, the library is much more than a place of learning: it is a central meeting point on campus and stands for a living culture of learning at any time of day or night.
To mark the anniversary, the KIT library is planning a day of action on July 24, 2026 with insights and topics related to the 24-hour library.
