Checking out, returning, loan periods

How do I check something out? What should I do if the book I need is already checked out? How long can I keep a book? What should I do if I need it for longer? How does the book return machine work? And what happens if I don’t return my checked-out items on time? You’ll find the answers on this page.

Check out

You can check out books and other media on your own using the self-checkout machines. These are located across from the library counter.

Hold your CCA card up to the card reader and place your items in the marked drop-off area.

Complete the checkout process by clicking the "Done" button. If you wish, you will receive a receipt showing the loan period.

You can borrow up to 30 items.

You can view a list of your checked-out items online in the library catalog.

Items you’ve ordered or reserved, as well as books from interlibrary loan, can be picked up at the library counter.

Magazines and the reference collection (identified by a yellow label; listed as location 150 in the catalog), as well as books from the course reserve (black label; location 140), are not available for checkout.

Reservation

For items currently checked out by other patrons, you can place a hold on them in the library catalog. To do so, click the grey flag icon next to the title’s availability status.

The person who currently has the item checked out will then no longer be able to renew the loan period.

As soon as the item is returned, you will be notified by email and can pick it up at the library counter and check it out.

Order

You can request (mostly older) books from the stacks (locations 01, 03, 23) for free through the library catalog.

You can then pick up the books at the library counter the next business day (Mon–Fri).

Loan periods

4-week loan period for:

Books located in sections 160, 180, 01
DVDs
Long-term locker / cubus

2-week loan period for:

Easels
Dictaphone

2-day loan period for:

Activity Center
Cables, mice, cell phone charging stations, etc. = small accessories from the technical devices lending service

Loan period reminders

You will receive reminders about your loan periods at the email address you provided during registration. Please make sure you have access to this email account. Notifications about orders ready for pickup, overdue notices, and other notifications
will also be sent to your email address.

Please note: These notifications are provided without guarantee, so please also check your loan periods and orders in your library account yourself!

Extension of loan periods

The loan period is automatically extended 2 days before it expires, provided the item is eligible for renewal.

A renewal is not possible:

if the book has been reserved by another person.
if the item has already been renewed 3 times (or 2 times for dictation devices and other media with a 2-week loan period)
if the item cannot be renewed under any circumstances (e.g., small technical devices from the technical lending section)
in some cases, for interlibrary loan requests from other libraries

A manual renewal of the loan period is possible starting 8 business days before the due date

in the library catalog. There you will see your loans listed, and you will be offered the option to renew individual items or all of them.
by phone: 0821/5586-328

Maximum number of renewals:

Books, iPads, locker keys, and other items that can be borrowed for 4 weeks: 3 times
Dictation devices, easels: 2 times
Cables and other small items from the technical devices lending service: no renewals allowed

Return

You can return your borrowed books 24 hours a day using the return terminal located to the left of the library's main entrance.

During staffed hours, you can also return items at the library desk.

Items from the Library of Things can only be returned at the library counter.

Late fees

If you return your borrowed items late or fail to renew the loan period on time, late fees will apply:

Reminder: 7.50 EUR
Reminder: an additional 10.00 EUR
Reminder: an additional 25.41 EUR

Payment of the fees for the first and second reminder notices must be made electronically via the CCA and is only possible during staffed opening hours.

The third reminder must be paid by bank transfer to the State Treasury. A corresponding payment form is enclosed with the “Kleiner Bescheid” notice that you will receive by mail.