ULB Düsseldorf: Knowing where knowledge is.

We're here for you - online and on site

Update

  • Starting on the 25th of June, the Central Library and the Law Library will open on the weekend, opening hours are from 10 am to 7 pm.
  • Change in the booking of study spaces: The booking of workstations is now possible from 9 am (previously from 0 am).

Important facts about current library use

  • Open locations/opening hours
    Central Library and Law Library: daily from 10 am to 7 pms
    Medical Library: Monday to Friday 10 am to 7 pm
  • All patrons have access to the library - Info (German)
  • We have a contigency of bookable study spaces, booking a seat is mandatory before use.
  • Consultation: via telephone 0211 81-12900, via E-Mail, via Chat  Mo – Fr from 9 am til 4 pm or in person in the Central Library  Mo – Fr from 11 am til 2 pm
FAQ: Access to the Library

  • We have put together questions and answers about the current terms of use for you here.

    If your question is not answered here, please contact us by E-Mail, Chat or telephone under +49 211 81-12900 (Mon – Fri: 9 am – 4 pm) or personally Mondays to Fridays between 11 am and 2 pm at the Central Service Desk in the Central Library. You can find a list of contact persons here.

     

    • Which library locations are open?
      The Central Library and the Law Library are open. An order and pick-up service has been set up for the collection of the Medical Library. In addition, the university archive is open only with prior appointment. You can make an appointment by mail universitätsarchiv(at)ulb.hhu.de or by phone under 0211 81-15635
       
    • Do the usual opening hours apply?
      No, the Central Library and the Law Library are open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. The Medical Library is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 7 pm.
       
    • Is the library open to all patrons?
      Yes, the library is open for all user groups. Nevertheless, due to rules of hygiene and safe distances only a certain number of patrons are allowed in the library. 
       
    • What are the requirements for access to the library?
      You will need to present your personal library card or HHU card. Please make sure that your HHU card has been activated beforehand. In accordance with the Corona Protection Ordinance of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, we are also obliged to record your telephone number and keep it for four weeks.
       
    • Will I have to wear mouth-nose cover?
      Yes, you will need to wear some form of mouth/nose protection, such as a facemask, a cloth or scarf.
       
    • What do I do if I want to renew my library card or do not have a library card yet?

      • Students and doctoral students of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf who only have an external library card will need to contact ausleihe(at)ulb.hhu.de before their visit. Please indicate your student number in the mail to receive a student library card.
      • External patrons can only renew their library card online. An immediate fee required renew is possible here (German).
      • External patrons who must not pay the library fee of 15, 00€ have to send a scan of the evidence of exemption from fees to ausleihe(at)ulb.hhu.de. We will inform you via email, when your library card is renewed.
      • The application of a library card is only possible with prior appointment. You can look up any free appointment here. Please contact ausleihe(at)ulb.hhu.de for your desired date and time.
         

    • How should I prepare my library visit?
      Please use our online catalogue to write down the location and call number of the media you want to borrow. On-site there are a few computers for researching available. Should you require media from our closed stack, please order at least the day before and take note of the pickup time.
       
    • When will my closed stack orders be ready for pickup?
      Media from our closed stacks can be ordered via the online catalogue. Orders from the closed stacks of the Central Library, the Humanities Library and Außenmagazin that are put in before 3 p.m. are ready for pickup on 10 a.m. the next working day. Orders from the Außenmagazin Mauerstraße are ready for pickup Fridays on 10 am if you order before midnight on Wednesday. Orders from the Medical Library's closed stack (Außenmagazin Medizin) cannot be processed at this time.
       
    • Can I borrow all types of media or use them at the library?
      The teaching employees of Heinrich Heine University can use the media from the reference collection of the Humanities Library and the Law Library via a loan service for reference collection (German). For using the reference collection of the reading rooms in the Central Library, you have to book a workplace in the library.
       
    • Can I use media from the closed stacks that cannot be borrowed?
      Yes, using media from the closed stacks that are not part of our loan collection can now be used again. Please order them as usual via our online catalogue. They are made available for use in the special collections room on the first floor of the Central Library. For microfiche media please book one of our reading machines. Media from the Außenmagazin Medizin are made available in the Medical Library.
       
    • Is the special collections room open?
      Yes, the special collections room on the first floor of the Central Library is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the use of the Thomas Mann Collection, the reference holdings of book and manuscript studies, the rare books and for the use of the non-loanable magazine holdings and interlibrary loans. For the use of the non-borrowable interlibrary loans and rare books, please book a time slot here.
       
    • What regulations apply with regard to the loan periods?
      Since 8 July, the usual regulations apply again for the loan periods.
       
    • Will I have to return borrowed books now?
      No, please do not come to the library only to return books. We have extended the loan period again until the 8th of July 2020.

    • Can I study and work in the library?
      Yes, there is a limited number of working spaces available. A prior booking is required. You can find information on this matter here. The usage of the single and group working areas are not possible now due to current hygiene and safe distance regulations.
    • Can I scan, print and copy?
      Yes, scanners, printers and copiers are available in the Central Library (ground floor & third floor) and in the Law Library (U1, ground floor and second floor). Please be aware of distancing rules and proper hygiene. Cleaners are available for the scanners.
       
    • Can I use the library computers, e.g. for researching in the catalogue?
      Yes, in the Central Library there are a few computers available for research on the ground floor, first floor and third floor. In the Law Library, they are located on floor U1, first floor and second floor. Nevertheless, it is recommendable to prepare your visit in advance. You can use our library catalogue from home and write down the call numbers and locations of media you need.
    • Can I pay my fees?
      Yes, you can pay your fees in the foyer of the Central Library.
       
    • Can I order interlibrary loans again?
      Yes, since 8th of June all user groups can place interlibrary loan orders again. As the interlibrary loan system is not yet fully in operation, the ULB will temporarily cover the processing fee for book orders. The articles are provided as printouts and can be picked up by users in the library. Interlibrary loans that cannot be borrowed can be used in the special collections room during the opening hours by prior appointment. Please contact sonderlesesaal(at)ulb.hhu.de or 0211 81-15257 for making an appointment.
       
    • Can I return interlibrary loans?
      The loan period for interlibrary loans has been extended until the 8th of July 2020. You can return your interlibrary loans at the machine in the foyer of the Central Library. As an exception, media with a red flag that is usually given back at the service desk can be returned via the machine as well.
    • What will happen to my interlibrary loans that I could not pick up before the library closed?
      Interlibrary loans that have not been picked up in the meantime have been returned to the supplier libraries. If required please place an interlibrary order again. The ULB will temporarily cover the processing fee for booking the orders.
       
    • Which regulations apply to the submission of doctoral dissertations?
      Send us your dissertation via postal service or use the post box at building 21.01. (near SSC).

      Postal address:

      Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Düsseldorf,
      Hochschulschriften- und Tauschstelle,
      Frau Kuhn,
      Universitätsstr. 1,
      40225 Düsseldorf
Online resources
    • We provide access to E-Books, E-Journals and academic databases. You can find them in our catalogue. As a member of Heinrich Heine university you can access these resources from home using VPN or Shibboleth. We provide a detailed handout with instructions here (German).
    • We are constantly adding to our E-Book collection. You can find an overview of newly added E-Book packages here (German).
    • Should you need an E-Book that is not yet in our collections please send us a purchase suggestion.
    • You have found an E-Book online but a contact person from ULB tells you we cannot purchase it? Please be aware that there are some restrictions to E-Book purchases and refer to our FAQ (German).
    • To support research and teaching efforts at HHU during this time we have developed a literature delivery service through which employees of HHU can order scans of printed journal articles and book chapters from ULB collections for free. This service is available for all faculties. 
    • Update: Journal articles can now be delivered via interlibrary loan. Find out more here.
    • Many publishers are offering books and journals for free for a limited time during the coronavirus crisis. We are collecting these offers here.
Information literacy teaching resources
    • We are offering an online consultation hour for students and employees of HHU via Rocket.Chat on tuesdays from 2 pm to 4 pm.
    • Use the ULB Online Kit (German) to learn more about how to access our online resources from home.
    • Use our ULB-Kompass (German) to learn more about finding sources and using them in your papers and theses. Lessons are provided in small E-Learning bites. Or use our Lernmodul Informationskompetenz. Here you'll learn everything from how to start a literature search to managing your references.
    • To support (digital) teaching efforts HHU staff now has the opportunity to ask ULB staff questions during our consultation hours via RocketChat. Starting on 21st of April, we will be ready for your questions regarding information literacy training for your students. Look out for our channel: #ULB für die Lehre.
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