Dritter Ort für die Wissenschaft: Online-Umfrage zum Lernort in Bibliotheken

The online survey “Third Place for Science” examines how academic libraries in German-speaking countries design learning spaces to meet the changing demands of digital transformation. From 10 May to 6 June 2025, 225 staff members from academic, special, and subject libraries participated in the survey. The results show that the majority of participating libraries have implemented or planned renovation measures over the past five years to create flexible, well-equipped, and acoustically optimized learning environments. In addition to traditional individual workstations, group study rooms and multifunctional areas are gaining increasing importance. Supplementary services – ranging from the lending of technical equipment to makerspaces and social meeting points – highlight the transformation of the library from a media archive into an open, inclusive “third place”. The study provides valuable insights for future planning and emphasizes the central role of flexibility, user orientation, and modern infrastructure in library development.