The main building of today's Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology and University Library (TIB), with its prominent 1960s architecture, is located to the south-east of the Welfenschloss, at Welfengarten 1 B. It was built in 1965 to house the university library and TIB, previously located in the Welfenschloss. There had been plans for a separate library building since 1959.
TIB, which was founded at that time, was continuously expanded as a German central library in the fields of technology, architecture, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics. The new building linked both libraries organisationally and physically, in close proximity to the university's main building.
The complex comprises an area of 14,000 square metres. Stacks are located in the two basements as well as at TIB Rethen. Several reading rooms were created on the top floors. The Wilhelm Grunwald building is also part of the library complex, built in 1991 to the west of the Marstall building. In addition to TIB, the building also accommodates the International Office. The library buildings are connected to each via an underground passageway.
Due to new user requirements and different learning techniques, the library was gradually modernised between 2008 and 2014 without disrupting operations. First, the foyer was redesigned, which currently houses the new circulation desk as well as the information counter. In 2011, the library catalogue hall was converted into a communication and advisory centre with modern research and multimedia workstations for library users.
The final phase of the project was the renovation of the reading rooms, between 2012 and 2014. Today, there are 179 individual workstations (previously: 165), all of which have their own power supply and individual lighting, as well as 156 group workstations (previously: 92), which are equipped with a digital whiteboard or display and can also be used for training purposes or workshops.
Following the modernisation of the library, eleven new cubicles were installed: The lockable workstations can be reserved for up to three months by university members writing academic papers.
Since 1 January 2016, the library has been a foundation under public law of the State of Lower Saxony, merging TIB and the University Library (UB) of Leibniz University Hannover. The foundation is also called Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology and University Library. As a central specialist library, it is also an infrastructural facility for providing scientific information in Germany and, given its national tasks, is of overall national importance.
TIB is a member of the Leibniz Association. Its mission is to preserve knowledge and provide up-to-date information to research and industry partners, irrespective of time and location, today and in the future. TIB aims to provide its customers with innovative, efficient and seamless access to data, information and knowledge, while providing access to comprehensive resources in a structured and suitable way.
