13.07.2020: You can again order media to the reading room counter (reading room I, 1st floor) or to the Historical Collections Reading Room (ground floor).
This applies only to media intended exclusively for use in the reading rooms.
To view these media, please reserve a workplace by telephone.

Due to Corona, the number of workstations in both reading rooms is unfortunately limited.

Usage and reservation rules

• You can only reserve a workplace if you have ordered media that are intended exclusively for use in the reading rooms.
• Reservable time slots are 9.00 - 11.00, 11.00 -14.00, 14.00 - 16.00, 16.00 - 18.00 p.m.
• You can reserve one time slot per day.
• You can make reservations by telephone up to one week in advance.
• Telephone reading room I (Mon-Fri from 9.00 - 18.00): +49 221 470-3314
• Telephone Reading Room Historical Collections ( Mon + Fri 10.00 - 14.00, Tue + Wed 10.00 - 16.30, Thu 10.00 - 18.00): +49 221 470-3199
• Please note: In the Historical Collections Reading Room it is currently not possible to retrieve files from the University Archives. However, you can consult the reference library of the University Archives here.
• The workstations are numbered consecutively. Please use only your reserved workstation.
• You can check at any time via "My Account" whether reading room literature is available for you.

Corona rules in the reading room

• Please observe the usual hygiene rules (distance, sneezing etiquette, hand hygiene).
• It is compulsory to wear a mouth-nose cover during your entire stay in the library.
• Please note that we cannot provide areas for breaks or short conversations due to the prescribed routing and distance regulations. Corridors, foyer and staircases are not places to stay.

Further information

• The reservation data are kept for at least 4 weeks (Corona Protection Ordinance NRW (German) of 01.07.2020 (§ 6 in conjunction with §2a, Para.1))
• In case of misconduct UCL reserves the right to exclude persons from the reservation possibility.

Due to cyberattack restrictions, we have increased all loan periods from 03.06. to 07.07 and 14.07. Unfortunately, we cannot send out mail reminders for the loan periods 07.07. + 14.07. which we have raised. To avoid new fees, please check your loan periods in "My account".

Students of the University of Cologne (first listener) must activate their library card via the UCCard.
From now on we will again issue cards for other members of the University of Cologne (employees, second listeners, guest listeners). Please send the required documents (identity card with front and back, student card or Proof of employment) as an attachment by e-mail to the lending services (Ortsleihe). The library card will then be sent to you by mail.
For external users (e.g. students of private universities, students of public universities of the state of NRW, private persons) it will not be possible to issue a library card in the foreseeable future.
You can renew existing cards by sending an e-mail to the lending services (Ortsleihe).

You can renew your media 5x. After the 5th renewal, no re-borrowing is possible at the counter. Please return your media and reorder them if necessary.

Scanner and copy machines are available again.

• The Reference desk remains closed. Please send us your questions by e-mail.
• No new library cards can be issued. If your library card has already expired or will expire in the next few weeks, please contact the local lending desk by e-mail.
• At the moment, it is only possible to hand in dissertations and gifts by mail. Please get in touch with our contact persons if necessary.
• We do not offer research cources and guided tours on site, but we are expanding our range of services in this area digitally.

There is currently no cultural programme (lectures and discussions) with a live audience.

• Furthermore, all reading rooms, the European Documentation Center (EDC) and all learning and worksplaces as well as the Internet workstations and the PC pool will remain closed. Access to electronic media at the Internet workstations is therefore not yet possible.

For questions about your library card and your account (loan periods, renewals, etc.) please contact the lending service telephone (+49 221 470-3316), for questions about fees please contact the fee office (+49 221 470-3352). Both telephones can be reached Monday to Thursday, 9.00 - 16.00 and Friday 9.00 - 13.00.
As usual, you can address general questions about UCL to the UCL information desk (+49 221 470-2374) Monday to Friday from 10.00 - 14.00.
You are also welcome to mail us!

Questions about lending - e-mail

Questions about fees - e-mail
General questions - e-mail

• Ordering and borrowing - Status 7.7.2020
  Ordering via the UCL-Portal is possible again. This also applies to textbooks. They will be available for you to borrow for 2 weeks on the next opening day from 14.00 on the pick-up shelves at the issue counter. Journals and books from the reading room (for a short loan of one hour) can be ordered by e-mail in urgent cases and picked up from 14.00 on the next opening day.
  Opening hours athe the HWA: Mon-Wed 11-15, Thu 11-18, Fri 11-15
• Reservations - Status 7.7.2020
  Reservations are possible again.
• Loan periods
  Due to cyber attack restrictions, we have raised all loan periods from 03.06. to 07.07. and 14.07. Unfortunately, we cannot send out mail reminders for the loan periods 07.07. + 14.07. which we have raised. To avoid new fees, please check your loan periods in "My account".
• Renewing library items
  You can extend your media 5 times. After the 5th extension, no re-borrowing is possible at the counter. Please return your media and reorder them if necessary.
• Return
  Return is via the book slot at the issue counter Monday to Friday, 9.00 to 18.00.
  Please note that the media will be taken back, but for technical reasons will not be booked back. They will therefore continue to appear in your account including any fees. We will credit your account as soon as our borrowing system is fully operational again.
• Testothek
  Tests can also be ordered again bei e-mail.

• The reference desk remains closed. Ask for advice by telephone or e-mail.
• Until further notice we do not offer research courses and guided tours.

In addition, the reading room, the textbook collection and all workstations remain closed. Access to electronic media at the Internet workstations is presently not yet possible.

• Media can be borrowed for copying or scanning in daily borrowing until the specialist library is closed or for an extended period of three days. Students who are writing theses can be granted a special borrowing period of one week. In this case we need a proof. The return of the items is possible until 14 on the day of deposit. Immediate re-borrowing is not possible.