It is obliged to draw up a monthly and annual report about its performance. The library comes directly under the head of the department for cultural affairs. It has a separate department for Electronic and Consultancy Services, which includes the Computer Department and Systems Analysis. The introduction of IT was seen as a big chance by some members of staff to escape the hierarchy if they were willing to engage in new technology. It was a handicap to have the technical expertise located at one central point, therefore every department is appointing a specially trained IT agent.
Borrowing is in decline, but reference questions are rising steeply.
Especially younger users prefer to access information directly and dislike the hierarchical structure of books. Over 150 libraries have already taken advantage of this offer. There is also cooperation with the NRW online cataloguing network, which has lately opened its doors to public libraries, and with libraries in Prague, Moscow and Lithuania.