At the recognized and appreciated ranking of libraries BIX 2009, the efficiency comparison of scientific libraries, the Library of the Heidelberg University – exactly as in the past year – reached the outstanding second place just following the University Library of Goettingen which has the advantage being as well State Library of Lower Saxony.

BIX is accomplished by the German Union of Libraries and the Centre of University Libraries in Cologne. In the category usage the Heidelberg University Library is topping the ranking for the second time in a row. More than 1.7 Million of lendings per year – compared with last year 100 000 more lendings – is proof for the excellent provision of students and teachers with literature. The number of visitors surmounted for the first time the two million point that means that 6000 visitors daily were counted.

The online-offer could be spread considerably. 49 000 E-journals, 1950 data Banks and 1650 E-books speak for themselves. The online catalogue HEIDI with its velocity of seconds for search is setting federal standards.

The University Library is the central studying place at the university. All 500 working places are mostly occupied already in the morning. The Director of the Library Veit Probst is expressing his hope for the possibility of an expansion within the near future.