Erasmus staff mobility program – TUM

Technical University of Munich

The Erasmus Staff Exchange Program 2017 was my first professional abroad event and I have returned back to my Institution with a valuable experience. Before I applied for this program, I did not have any University or country in my mind. During the applicant process I was very selective in deciding which University I should apply to, because I was thinking that such an opportunity would not happen very often and wanted to make the most of it.
For me, the most important criterion of the Library selection process was that the prospective Library should have a working principle similar to Koç University Suna Kıraç Library. In addition, the organizational structure should have a unique position to support the working environment with an innovative approach.
After sending the application to several Universities according to the criteria I determined, one of the Universities that made a positive return was the Technical University of Munich (TUM). I submitted my application to TUM because the Library has a job position similar to my current position in our Institution. I thought that I could make an efficient comparison between the two positions when I finished my training program.
First of all, I must say that the Library staff was very helpful in organizing my visit to the TUM Library. They had scheduled an outstanding 5 days training program which included a visit at the Bavarian State Library for me. It was very important for me to find the opportunity to attend many efficient and informative meetings from each of the TUM Library departments. All staff members were quite open about sharing their experience with me and they were also very curious about how we manage the same process at the Suna Kıraç Library. I’m really grateful for their curiosity, because this gave me the chance to share my experience and the conversation became more interactive and enjoyable for everyone.
During the program the most interesting department for me was the user services department, as they offer very innovative and efficient services to their library users. Especially the virtual reference service and the online training program are the most successful way to get in touch with the users.
It was also a great opportunity to visit the Bavarian State Library, which is a unique Library with its magnificent historical building and the rich collection about German heritage.

Feriha Dur
Head of Administrative Services

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