Annual report 2025
In 2025, the University Library’s work took place in many different settings:
in our branch libraries, on campus, in the city and in the digital realm.
Our annual report offers selected insights into what has inspired us and what we have achieved –
from special initiatives and milestones to interior design and a wide range of training courses.
As we do every year, we are delighted to have supported researchers, lecturers and students on their journey,
and we would like to thank everyone involved for their excellent cooperation.
Activities
In the city Science City Essen
14.06.2025 The University Library was present at the Science Festival’s market square event in Essen city centre: under the slogan "Test your knowledge, find the facts", it offered two quiz formats that allowed passers-by to test their information literacy regarding scientific myths and disinformation in a fun way.
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Duisburg campus Summer fair
26.06.2025 The UDE Summer Fair featured a varied programme of games and sports, culinary delights, live music, dance performances, awards ceremonies and much more. The University Library was also in attendance and offered students and visitors quiz-style activities on the topic of information literacy under the slogan "Test your knowledge, find the facts".
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In the city FISU Sport campus
21.07.2025 As part of the FISU World University Games, which took place in the Ruhr region this summer, the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) hosted the FISU Sport Campus in Duisburg city centre. Various UDE departments offered a varied programme there, whilst the University Library provided information through quizzes on the topics of scientific myths and disinformation.
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In the GW/GSW & LK Libraries Book faires
Under the slogan "We clear out, you snap them up!", two book fairs were held in the main branch libraries during the winter and summer semesters. On sale (for 1 euro per book) were items we had removed from our collection, such as older editions that had been replaced by new ones, or titles that we had made available as e-books.
In GW/GSW Library Board Game Day
24.10.2025 To mark Library Day ('Tag der Bibliotheken'), which has been held annually since 1995 to highlight the services and importance of libraries, the University Library was transformed into a games paradise: around 100 students gathered in a relaxed atmosphere for the board games day to play board games and meet new people just in time for the start of the semester.
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On-site & online Free Speech Week
03. – 10.05.2025 The "Freedom of Expression Week" ('Woche der Meinungsfreiheit') campaign, under the slogan "Debate? Absolutely!", highlighted the importance of a culture of debate and the ability to engage in debate within our society. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Barbara Albert, the Registrar, Ulf Richter, and several Pro-Vice-Chancellors shared their views in statements that were displayed online and on digital screens in the University Library. The University Library also set up themed shelves featuring relevant reading material.
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In the GW/GSW Library Manga Day
27.09.2025 On "Manga Day", participating comic and bookshops as well as libraries across Germany, Austria and Switzerland will be offering extensive free samples of selected manga. In addition to the free samples, the University Library’s programme included a creative corner, workshops and a swap table for manga and merchandise.
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Exhibitions
In LK Library Exhibition "White Rose"
13.03. – 04.04.2025 The University Library hosted the travelling exhibition "White Rose – Student Resistance Against Hitler in Munich" in collaboration with the AStA. The exhibition commemorates the group’s resistance and their actions against the Nazi regime. On display were impressive panels featuring text and images documenting the history and struggle of the White Rose.
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In the GW/GSW Library Exhibition: Designs – Room of Silence
('Raum der Stille')
11.11. – 23.12.2025 The artistic designs for the Room of Silence, which were created as part of a student art-in-architecture ideas competition, were exhibited in the foyer of the Faculty of Geography and Geosciences. The Room of Silence was opened by the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) in 2025 as a shared, non-denominational space for reflection and retreat, and was designed according to the winning entry.
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In the city & online Exhibition Germaine Krull
28.11.2025 – 15.03.2026 The Museum Folkwang, in collaboration with the UDE, is exhibiting works by the photographer and author Germaine Krull (1897–1985). The University Library is making Krull’s written estate freely available on the UDE’s publication platform, DuEPublico: the documents – including political essays, short texts, stories and autobiographical writings – are now accessible to the public worldwide.
To the literary estate
Milestones
Research More than 150.000 publications in the University Bibliography
The UDE University Bibliography is the central catalogue of publications by UDE researchers. In 2025, the milestone of 150.000 entries was reached, including over 36.000 open-access publications. This transparency promotes (free) access to knowledge. Inclusion in the bibliography improves the discoverability and citability of publications. The data recorded also forms an important basis for research analysis and reporting.
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Research Data Champion Awards
To recognise outstanding commitment to good scientific practice, the University Library’s Research Data Services have launched the Data Champion Award 2025. The award is presented to PhD students, for example, for the open sharing of data in collaboration with Research Training Groups, faculties and projects. The first four recipients of the award are Gina Simon, Dr Lisa Schmitt, Yamen Zantah and Dr Xuan Liu.
More info & interviews with the champions
For more safety "Luisa is here!"
Since June 2025, the "Luisa is here!" campaign has also been running in the GW/GSW and LK branch libraries. Women and girls who find themselves in a threatening situation can now approach our trained staff at the reception desk by asking "Is Luisa here?" and receive immediate, discreet support. Thanks to its accessibility and long opening hours, the University Library offers the ideal location for providing a reliable support service.
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Teaching Leganto
The University Library has licensed Leganto – a tool that enables lecturers to create and manage reading lists. Lecturers can use it to compile books from the University Library’s collection, e-books, journal articles, scanned book excerpts or other reading material, and make these available to students. Leganto is integrated into Moodle, but can also be used via its own web interface. Users can also request digitisation of book extracts or journal articles.
More about Leganto
For literature research LibKey Discovery and LibKey Nomad++
The University Library has expanded its range of services for accessing full-text electronic resources: in addition to BrowZine, LibKey Discovery and LibKey Nomad++ now also facilitate access to electronic articles and e-books. Full-text resources can therefore be found even more quickly and are better linked, both in our Primo catalogue and on many external platforms.
More about LibKey Nomad++
More about LibKey Discovery
Research Records on DuEPublico indexed in Scopus
The 6th Edition of the European sCO₂ Conference 2025 has published its conference proceedings and 42 papers via the UDE repository DuEPublico and listed them in Scopus. Researchers whose publications are indexed in the Scopus abstract and citation database benefit from global reach as well as bibliometric analyses such as citations or the H-index. Since 2016, the conference has provided a platform for the exchange of ideas on energy technologies using supercritical CO₂.
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Research Interlaboratory study
In 2025, the DFG Priority Programme "Materials for Additive Manufacturing" (SPP 2122) published a meticulously curated dataset as part of its study via the UDE repository DuEPublico, which we operate. The research dataset from the interlaboratory study on the laser powder bed fusion 3D printing process is thus available to other researchers worldwide via open access.
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Artificial Intelligence Trial access to AI research tools
Throughout July 2025, the University Library offered all UDE members free access to various AI tools for research and teaching. During the trial period, users were able to try out the tools, compare their features and attend our accompanying webinars. The tools included Scite, the Primo Research Assistant, the Web of Science Research Assistant, Scopus AI and ScienceDirect AI.
Artificial Intelligence University Library and Freie Universität Berlin are investigating the use of AI among library staff
In collaboration with the University Library of Freie Universität Berlin, our AI team conducted a survey this summer to explore the attitudes, experiences and needs of library staff regarding the use of AI. The team also analysed the skills staff already possess and identified areas where support is required.
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News from the building & interior design sector
New plants
Since this year, the GW/GSW and LK Libraries have been home to new real plants, which help to create a relaxed atmosphere for learning and working. As it wasn’t possible to place real plants in every area of the GW/GSW Library, there are now also some high-quality artificial plants there.
New drinks dispensers
Two new drinks dispensers have been installed in the snack areaof the LK Library: one water dispenser provides free fresh drinking water that can be filled directly into bottles. Another new addition is a hot drinks machine offering a variety of coffees, tea and hot chocolate.
New training room
The training room in the GW/GSW Library has been redesigned: the room is now equipped with movable individual desks that allow for a variety of event layouts. The fixed PCs have been removed to allow for even more flexible use of the room. Visitors who do not bring their own device can now borrow laptops.
New chill-out area
The former newspaper reading corner on the second floor of the GW/GSW Library has been transformed into a lounge area with a cosy atmosphere. The newspapers had already been moved to the new newsroom on the ground floor. With eye-catching wallpaper and a new colour scheme, the area now invites visitors to relax and linger.
Training, courses & more
For students: UB|SchreibCamp
Since 2023, the UB|SchreibCamp has been held twice a year: this week-long on-site event provides students with essential guidance on academic writing. The programme covers planning, referencing, literature management, tips on various tools, and individual support from experts on the University Library’s training team. In 2025, the UB|SchreibCamp took place in February in Essen and in September in Duisburg.
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For students: 'Zahlen, Daten, Fritten"
The digital event series "Zahlen, Daten, Fritten" addresses key questions relating to data literacy through five workshops per semester. Through guest lectures and panel discussions, participants learn, for example, why the ability to handle data effectively is so important in their studies, careers and everyday life.
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For PhD students: Publication Days
In the online series of events entitled "Publication Days", PhD students receive information and advice on how to publish their research findings securely and professionally. In lectures and short workshops, experts from the University Library provide information on topics such as open science, publication routes, copyright and research data management. The workshop series has been held annually during the summer term since 2019.
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For lecturers: OER Network Meeting
The OER network meetings offer the OER community at the UDE the opportunity to get to know one another, exchange ideas and network. Each meeting focuses on a specific theme, enabling participants to gain insights into current developments in the field of OER through the presentations and subsequent discussions. In 2025, three meetings focused on accessibility, artificial intelligence and reusability.
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For researchers: RDM Curriculum
The University Library offers various courses as part of the Research Data Management Curriculum run by the Ruhr University Alliance. The curriculum provides a wide range of regular introductory training sessions for different disciplines and target groups, as well as advanced courses in both English and German.
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For researchers: Research Data Day
On 18 November 2025, our Research Data Services team organised a varied programme in the library hall. This included, amongst other things, a group viewing of the morning programme of the State Initiative for Research Data Management and insights from the research community. Following a welcome address by Vice-Rector Prof. Dr Pedro José Marrón, there were fascinating insights into the work of the NFDI at the UDE, practical tips and a poster exhibition.
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For all: Die kleine Form
From the tiniest cell to the grandest idea – every term, "Die kleine Form" offers an insight into the topics being researched and taught at the UDE under the banner "Science for your lunch break": concise, entertaining and open to all. The event always takes place on-site at the GW/GSW Library, but can also be watched live online or later on demand.
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