Knowledge Infrastructure

Knowledge is networked. All our offerings contribute to a globally distributed system of scientific information - comparable to a global ecosystem. Knowledge in all its forms has to be reliably processed, refined, stored and made available for dissemination. The knowledge infrastructure at the Göttingen site is based on diverse processes for printed and other material media and for digital information resources as well as tools. For example, as the central hub for the national book transport service, the Göttingen State and University Library traditionally secures part of the literature supply for all of Germany. Hundreds of websites and databases as well as partly highly specialized tools are operated by the Göttingen State and University Library to help students and researchers in Göttingen or to be part of the knowledge infrastructures in Lower Saxony, Germany, Europe or worldwide. This is based both on modern digital infrastructures and analog control technologies as well as on the specialist personnel required for this purpose in areas ranging from software development to inhouse and logistic services.

Strengthening commitment in the knowledge infrastructure

The traditional infrastructure of the Göttingen State and University Library with study room and shelves has matured into a new form of knowledge infrastructure through the addition of digital services. Hosting of data, information systems or software development now determine large parts of what Göttingen State and University Library is all about.

By 2025, we want to create binding and sustainable structures and processes for knowledge infrastructure, for example through internal rules and regulations or agreements with campus partners. This should reduce the complexity of technologies. We want to document services in a consistently resilient manner and plan them together with IT partners.

Service portfolio

  1. Development and provision of guidelines
  2. Sustainable development and expansion of digital infrastructures in particular
  3. Agile software engineering
  4. Configuration, adaptation and operation of library-relevant software environments
  5. Consulting on software engineering, long-term archiving
  6. Standardization, documentation and dissemination of knowledge infrastructures

Planning

(a) Create regulations for the organization of knowledge infrastructure

  • Expand guidelines and policies
    2022: Policy for licensable research data
    2022: Policy for software development

(b) Promote dialogue on the knowledge infrastructure

  • Actively support communication on campus and beyond
    2022: Regular bulletin on knowledge infrastructure

(c) Establish structure and culture for long-term data maintenance

  • Establish long-term archive as standard
    2022: Plan for long-term archive connectivity of critical data assets