On April 4th, 2025, participants from three German language courses at the PIER Helmholtz Graduate School embarked on a special journey to explore the world of libraries during the "Lange Nacht der Bibliotheken" (Long Night of Libraries) in Hamburg. Guided by their dedicated teacher, Gisa Günther, the 14 students, hailing from various PIER research fields, had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse offerings of local libraries.

The event, held annually in Hamburg, is a celebration of the city’s rich library culture, where numerous institutions open their doors for an evening of learning, exploration, and community engagement. The participants focused on discovering the wide array of services provided by the Bücherhallen and other Hamburg libraries, with a particular emphasis on resources related to German as a Foreign Language.

For many of the international researchers, the event was a good opportunity to learn more about the various tools and materials available to aid them in mastering the German language. The libraries showcased their extensive collections, offering everything from textbooks, magazines for language learning and digital resources to interactive learning platforms that support language learners at all levels.

The PIER language course participants, who come from diverse scientific backgrounds, were able to exchange experiences, and gain new insights into how libraries can play a vital role in their language learning journey.

Besides the academic content related to learning German, the trip was, of course, also about getting to know each other better, networking, and having fun together. After snacks and coffee at Café Schmidtchen (see photo), everyone stayed until the end of the event. 'It was a really nice evening,' says teacher Gisa Günther. 'It was great to see how interested and engaged everyone was. Teaching such students is truly enjoyable!'

Photo: Gisa Günther