I do not live in Amsterdam. Can I order a (photocopy of a) publication?

We do not offer the service of sending (photocopies of) publications to the public. But we do participate in interlibrary loan (ILL). This means that you can request a publication (or a photocopy) at the library you frequent. This library will then send us an interlibrary loan request, and we will then send requested publication (or a photocopy) to your library.

I am not a UvA student or staff member; can I use the UvA library?

Yes, you can. But you will need a library card to request publications from the closed stacks, and to borrow publications from any of the library locations.

Where can I get a library card?

At all library locations of the UvA.
UvA students do not need a separate library card. The UvA student card is also valid as a library pass.
The library card is free for UvA staff, as well as for students and staff of other universities in the Netherlands and of the HvA. Others must pay an annual fee. 

When does my library card expire?

You can check it in the catalogue:  log into My account and then go to User info.

What is meant by 'call  number'?

This number indicates where the publication is and how to obtain it.
If the call number starts with:

• UBM:
  This publication is in the closed stacks at the University Library. Click request (or hold if it is on loan).
  Enter the number of your UBA-library card or student card, and the first 3 letters of your last name.
• Three-digit number:
  This publication is in an open stacks library. Click the title and then the i after the Location, then look up the library in the alphabetical list to find the address and opening hours. The publication (if not on loan) can be borrowed there, if you have a library card.

How to get a publication?

If the call number starts with:

• UBM:
  This publication is in the closed stacks at the University Library. Click request (or hold if it is on loan).
  Enter the number of your UBA-library card or student card, and the first 3 letters of your last name.
• Three-digit number:
  This publication is in an open stacks library. Click the title and then the i after the Location, then look up the library in the alphabetical list to find the address and opening hours. The publication (if not on loan) can be borrowed there, if you have a library card.

I found the journal and clicked 'Check availability', but the volume I want is not there! Now what?

If the volume you are looking for is not in the list, click the link: Volume not listed in Request list below? Request it here. Then you can enter the volume you need.

Where are the books I can borrow?

Books in the central University Library (UB) are in closed stacks. In the catalogue you can see which books the UB owns, and request them. Books you see on the shelves in the reading rooms are reference works, which can only be consulted in the library.
In faculty libraries you can get books from the shelves yourself and check them out via the lendomat or register them at the circulation desk if you would like to borrow them.  

When can I collect requested or reserved publications?

The waiting period depends on the location of the book. If it is in the closed stacks at Singel 425, it takes about half an hour. If it is in the IWO book depot, it takes one day. When requesting a book, the period is mentioned on the screen. On Monday to Thursday the stacks and depot close at 17.45 hrs, on Fridays at 16.45 hrs. On Saturdays the stacks and depot are closed. You do not have to collect the publications immediately. They will be kept aside for you for 7 days. 

However, it takes another day if you choose to pick up your books at of one of the faculty libraries.

When your requests are ready for you, you will receive a mail, whether it is a publication from the closed stacks or a hold request.

The catalogue tells me that the publication can only be 'used within library'; how does it work?

You can consult the publication, but may consult it in one of the reading rooms in the University Library or, if it is a book in a faculty library, within that library. You cannot take it with you outside the library. If you need to consult the book for a longer period of time, please contact the information desk.

Where do I find addresses and opening hours of faculty libraries?

In the catalogue, via the full-title view, by clicking the i at Location. This gives an alphabetical list of libraries. Click the relevant library to see all the information.

Where can I return books?

You may return the books at any library location of the UvA.

The book I need does not have a 'Request' or 'Hold' link!

You cannot request this book online. You can borrow it from the library location indicated by the call number or consult it there.

If it does not have a call number, it is a title which has just been ordered.

How long can I keep books?

The loan period is 28 days. If no one else has requested it, you can renew the loan period for a period of max. 6 months. 

How do I renew the loan period?

If no one else has requested the book, you can renew the loan for a period of max. 6 months via the online catalogue by logging into My account  and going to Loans / Extensions. Check the relevant title and click Renew. 

The publication I want is not in the UvA library. How can I get it?

Via Interlibrary Loan (ILL), but there is a charge. An ILL account  enables you to request books and copies of articles from other libraries. You can open an ILL account at the Registration and Return Desk at the Reference Center, Singel 425.

When you have an ILL account, you can request publications from other libraries in the Netherlands via PiCarta, which you can find in the Digital Library.

How to request a reproduction from an old or rare book?

Requesting reproductions from rare or old books (issued before 1850), manuscripts or special collections is possible within limitations. The physical state of the original does not always allow reproduction. The number of photocopies is limited to 5.
Send your request to the following e-mail address. Your request will be evaluated by the responsible curator.
Another possibility is to go to the information desk of the De la Fontaine Verwey Reading Room.