Who is behind KIT Library’s services and offerings?

In this series, we introduce colleagues whose dedication and expertise shape the library. 

Christian Elsner | KIT

From library studies at university to acquisitions and cataloguing to a bachelor degree in design: Christian Elsner has followed an unusual path within KIT Library.

Tanja Oberacker | KIT

With a passion for books and a penchant for “anything to do with media,” Julia Schwab found her way into the world of libraries—and, contrary to her initial expectations, ended up very happy in academia.

Tanja Oberacker | KIT

With her background in the natural sciences, Juliane Mörsel discovered her passion for the world of libraries during her studies. After completing her internship, she is now continuing on this path at KIT: Since 2024, she has been overseeing the BMBF project “ERRED,” which is exploring new ways to evaluate research performance, and she is also active as a subject specialist.

Anne Behrendt | KIT

Klaus Nippert has headed KIT Archives since 2002 and, together with his team, ensures that the university’s long-term memory is preserved. He also publishes on topics related to the state history during the late medieval and early modern period, the history of technical universities, and archival science.

Tanja Oberacker | KIT

Melanie Pohl has been working in the bookbinding and cover repair team of KIT Library for 15 years. With tact, patience, and craftsmanship, she helps ensure, among other things, that damaged or heavily used books are properly preserved and repaired.

Andrea Gappel

Andrea Gappel has been working in libraries in Karlsruhe since 2021—first at the PH, and later at KIT Library, where she was part of the Information Literacy team and focused primarily on research and reference management training. Starting in April 2025, she will head the Architecture Subject Library at KIT.

Lea Geerken

Since 2021, Lea Geerken has been bringing her creative touch to the university’s own publishing house, KIT Scientific Publishing (KSP). As a graphic designer, she not only designs books and publications but is also part of the social media editorial team. Her creative illustrations give many projects a distinctive look.

Tanja Oberacker | KIT

Sonja Tourney joined KIT Library in 1997 after completing her vocational training as a craft bookbinder. There, she heads the bookbinding and cover repair unit, where she and her team repair books and bind journals into annual volumes. Through her valuable work, she is committed to ensuring that printed books continue to be valued and preserved for the future.

Fatima Azahra Bensalah

Fatima Bensalah has been with KIT Library since September 2023. She works at the library of the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Karlsruhe (DHBW), which serves as the central lending and service library for DHBW-KA. In addition, as a member of KIT Library’s social media editorial team, she is indispensable thanks to her fresh ideas.

Natalie Enders

Natalie Enders has been working in the User Services Department of KIT Library since 2006. She is committed to creating a space for exchange and efficient learning, where printed books will continue to be valued in the future. In April 2025, she will take over management of the Subject Library Mathematics on Campus South.

Uwe Dierolf | KIT

Behind the scenes at KIT Library, Uwe Dierolf and his team have been ensuring a reliable IT infrastructure for 30 years. From web services to AI projects like the innovative chatbot “BibKI”—no day here is ever boring.

Andreas Reichert | KIT

Ever since her childhood, she has been fascinated by the world of books. Her passion for books, combined with her love of organization and sharing knowledge, led her into the field of library science, where she studied at the University of Media. At KIT Library, she has gained a wide range of experience in various roles since 1994. Today, she consults and supports authors at KIT Scientific Publishing (KSP).

Diana Riffel

For 41 years now, Diana Riffel has been an active member of KIT Library's staff. With consistent precision and the necessary flexibility, she reliably contributes to the success of the KITopen repository and KIT Scientific Publishing (KSP).

Lauren Ciancio

After working in Spain and France, Lauren Ciancio joined KIT Library at Campus North as a scientist in August 2024. With her international background and multilingual skills, she is a great asset to the project team.

Martina Weber

Martina Weber has been employed at KIT Library since 2009. In the User Services Department, she ensures that the services offered are optimally tailored to the needs of library users—from supporting the decentralized libraries to teaching research and information literacy skills.

Arne Upmeier

Arne Upmeier has been the director of KIT Library since May 2020. With his background in law and philosophy, as well as his experience serving on national and international committees, he is actively shaping the library landscape.

Christine Rohde | KIT

Christine Rohde has been part of KIT Library on Campus South for over 20 years. In addition to her long-standing responsibility for various subject departments, she also assumed headship of the university’s own publishing house, KIT Scientific Publishing, at the end of 2024.

Magali Hauser | KIT

As head of the Office for Good Research Practice and Ethical Principles (Office GWP) at KIT, Valerie Boda supports scientific self-regulation and oversees the work of the Ethics Commission, the Committee for Good Research Practice, and the Ombudspersons for Safeguarding Good Research Practice. She is the central point of contact for all KIT staff and members regarding questions about scientific integrity.

Christian Wetzel | ZML

Since moving into the newly constructed InformatiKOM in February 2024, Andreas Reichert has been supporting students and researchers—in collaboration with the ZML—by sharing his expertise in the production and planning of video and audio material.

Karin Bühler | KIT

Karin Bühler has been working at KIT Library since 1989. She coordinates the operational processes in the Acquisitions and Cataloguing department and ensures that the procurement and cataloging of literature proceed smoothly in the division of Procurement and Cataloging.

Ruth Schneider | KIT

Ruth Schneider has already gained extensive professional experience in leadership roles at public libraries. After working at an academic library, she has been at KIT since October 2023. There, she works with her colleagues to ensure that researchers can quickly access their publications in the KITopen Repository. She also coordinates the “Roadshow” program.

Mamta Dwivedi

Mamta Dwivedi has been working on the Diamond Thinking project at KIT Library since October 2023. Since then, “her” project has become an integral part of the KIT Scientific Publishing (KSP) portfolio, and Mamta Dwivedi has thus become the point of contact for all questions regarding the “Open Access Journals” offering.

Andreas Reichert | KIT

At KIT Library's Media Center, Tobias Kurze is working on integrating software development with practical studio technology.

Daniela Clauss | KIT

Since November 2021, Daniela Clauss has been employed at KIT Library as deputy director of the department of User Services and as library subject specialists for various various subject groups. She also heads the Information Literacy team, which offers over 500 workshops and consultations annually for students and researchers.