Most publications in the UvA library can be requested online via the UvA CataloguePlus. Exceptions to this rule are books in the faculty libraries which cannot be borrowed or for a short period of time only. These publications cannot be requested or reserved online. Instead, you must collect them from the open shelves yourself and check them out at the library desk or via the lending machine. Books which can be borrowed for the normal loan period can be requested online and sent to another UvA library to be collected there.
To borrow materials, you need a student or staff card from the UvA or AUAS.
With a valid alumni card of the Amsterdamse Universiteits-Vereniging (AUV) and an ID, you are entitled to a free library card for borrowing at the libraries of UvA and HvA.
If you are not affiliated to the UvA but would like to borrow publications from the Library's collection, you can apply for a library card.
When requesting books, please indicate from which library you wish to collect it. In principle, it is ready for you the next working day. For requests made on Friday after 15:00, during the weekend and holidays, delivery will be on the first day the library is open again.
Requests can be sent to the following libraries:
As soon as your request is available, you will be notified by email. Requested publications are held for you for 7 days at the library you indicated.
If a title is on loan, you can place a hold request. Via My account in UvA CataloguePlus you can check your requests and see if a publication has arrived yet.
As soon as your request is available, you will be notified by email.
Some types of publication cannot be borrowed, such as:
Publications which may not be borrowed, must be consulted in the library. In the University Library you can study them in the reading rooms. In faculty libraries these publications must be used within that particular faculty library.
Publications from before 1900, manuscripts, letters, and special editions requested via the catalogue, must be collected and consulted in the Special Collections library.
Large formats (newspapers, etc.) and requests for exceptionally large numbers of journal volumes must be consulted in the reading room of the UBA book depot (IWO).
You can borrow a maximum of fifty books at a time. The standard loan period is 28 days. Exam literature and frequently requested books have a shorter loan period of 7 days.
Some materials are available for use within the library only (1-day loan).
Your book is automatically renewed by 28 days, unless it is reserved by someone else. It is After 3 automatic renewals you have to return the book to the library. You can only renew it at a library service desk.
You cannot renew materials that are only available for use within the library (1-day loans). The publication must be returned the same day before closing time of the library service desk.
Books that you have borrowed via Interlibrary Loan cannot be renewed as well.
The maximum number of books you may borrow is 50.
Publications may be returned to any UvA or HvA library.
Shortly before your loan expires you will receive a request to either renew the loan or return it. If items are overdue you will be fined per item.
From the expiry date onwards we will be sending reminders:
Reminders and other messages will be sent by email. Please be sure to check your spamfolder as well.
The fines are per item and accrue: after 28 days you have a fine of €15.00 per item. When your fine is €15.00 or more, you can no longer borrow or renew items.
If you return the item, the replacement and administrative costs are cancelled. The fine still has to be paid.
If you do not pay the invoice, a debt-collecting agency will be called in.
Fines can be paid at a library service desk. At the University Library Singel, P.C. Hoofthuis Library and HvA libraries you can only pay with PIN (debit card).
Ask the Library about loans, requests and fines.