University Library

Loans

There are various locations of media in the university library and you can take most of the holdings out on loan. You need to have a library card for this.

The information point at the Issue Desk (1st floor main building on Wilhelmstraße) where they manage library accounts is your first place of contact for all questions to do with loans.

Self-service

You can take items out completely independently using the self-service terminals by the Issue Desk – all you need is your library card. The display will take you through the individual steps. If you have any questions please contact the information point at the Issue Desk.

 

Requests

Example

When researching the catalogue you may see an item listed as “Closed stacks” [Bestellbestand]. To borrow this item, you have to click on the link “Request/reserve” button [Zum Bestellen/Vormerken]. This opens up a new window. Now click again on “Request/reserve”.

You will then be asked to register with your user data and confirm your request in the next two steps:

  • Step 1: After entering your details, you have to confirm where you want to collect the item and request notification.
  • Step 2: Then you will see a screen with the data to check and confirm once more.

How can I find the item I’ve requested?

When a book you have requested is available for collection, you can see it listed in your library account (reservations). You can also ask to be informed by e-mail when the title is ready for you in the collection area. Usually the retrieval time is four work hours. Finally, you just have to issue the item using the self-service terminals.

Notes

Conditions of lending vary. Please check the lending periods for your specific items.

Reservations

Example

When researching the catalogue you may see an item listed as “On loan” [Ausgeliehen]. If you want to borrow the item, you have to reserve it. To do this, click on the “Request/reserve” button [Zum Bestellen / Vormerken]. This opens up a new window. Now click again on the blue “Request/reserve” button.

  • Step 1: After entering your details, you have to confirm where you want to collect the item and request notification.
  • Step 2: You receive a message: “No copies available for loan. Reservation is possible” and will see a screen with the data to check and confirm once more.

How do I receive the reserved item?

You will receive an e-mail as soon as the item is ready for you in one of the collection areas. Then you simply have to issue it using the self-service terminals.

Renewal

Example

You’ve borrowed an item from the University Library but the lending period is nearly over and you want to keep the item a little longer.

How can I extend the lending period?

Access your library account and click on your loans. This produces a list of all the items you have on loan.

Next, select the item you want to renew and then click on the button “Renewal” [Verlängern]. The lending period should now be extended. Please check that a new date is shown.

How often can I extend the lending period for an item?

There is a maximum lending period of 4 x 28 days for students and external users and 12 x 28 days for university staff – calculated from the date of first loan.

If another user has reserved the item then it is not possible to extend the lending period.

Interlibrary loans can be renewed no earlier than one week before return is due. Interlibrary loans can only be renewed once and the issuing library must agree to the renewal – please be prepared for them to recall the item at short notice.

Items that are in the Ammerbau or the manuscript reading room can be borrowed for 14 days. If the loan has not been renewed then the books will be cleared away.

Notes

Please note the lending periods. If you don’t extend the lending period an overdue fine will be charged for failure to return on time.

Returns

Items should be returned at the return points. The displays will take you through the individual steps. You do not need a library card to return items.

Outside opening hours there is a return box in Wilhelmstraße where you can drop items. When the library opens in the morning the items are booked in.

If you have any questions please speak to the staff at the Issue Desk.

Items can be returned either at the Natural Sciences Branch Library or the Wilhelmstraße University Library. Items from other libraries (Tübingen medical library, institute libraries, etc.) must be returned to the library from which they came.

Lost & damaged books

If you lose or damage an item please contact Local and Interlibrary Loans to find out what has to be done:

 +49 7071 29-72579
 ortsleihe@ub.uni-tuebingen.de

For more information

Items that trigger an alarm when brought inside must be stored beyond the revolving door (e.g. in a locker).

Items that trigger an alarm when being brought outside…

  • maybe haven’t been checked out properly. Please try checking them out again via the self-service terminal.
  • cannot be taken out of the library (beyond the revolving door) if they keep triggering the alarm. Please hand them over at the circulation desk.