Anniversary 2025: 10 years of the new building

In July 2015, the University Library of Freiburg reopened after undergoing extensive renovation work over a period of seven years. Since then, the ‘new’ library has been a prominent landmark of Freiburg with its impressive – and at the same time polarising – architecture. Its function and use in the digital age has also changed with the new building.

Exhibition: „Kontinuität und Wandel“

To mark the tenth anniversary of its reopening, the University Library is presenting the exhibition ‘Kontinuität und Wandel’ from 31 July 2025 to 14 January 2026 (extended. The exhibits shed light on the complex planning process and the challenging renovation work. They also reflect on how much the working environment, services and tasks of the employees have changed in the context of digital transformation. Today, the University Library of Freiburg is a central place of learning and research with up to 16,000 visitors per day. It provides access to a comprehensive range of digital and printed information and offers services for research, study and teaching. On the one hand, the University Library continues its long history, but on the other hand, the vision of a library for the digital future was formulated at the beginning of the planning for the new building 20 years ago, and it continues to apply today.

Discover the virtual exhibition with portraits and audio interviews with employees (in German):
Kontinuität und Wandel

Photo: Klaus Polkowski / University of Freiburg
Photo: Klaus Polkowski / University of Freiburg
Video: Baden TV Süd

In the context of the exhibition, we spoke with various media representatives about the building's concept and its success story. 

Watch the report by Baden TV Süd (in German):

Video: Baden TV Süd (03.09.2025)

Further press coverage of the anniversary
University of Freiburg

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