In addition to your library card, please have proof of one of the 3Gs (vaccinated, recovered, tested - the test must not be older than 24 hours) and photo ID ready in the entrance area, even if you only want to borrow ordered books. No 3G proof is required for returning books.

Please note:

• When entering the building, have your library card handy so that you can quickly pass through our entrance system and avoid queuing.
• In all libraries of the University of Cologne you have to wear a medical mouth and nose protection!
• If you have a certificate of exemption from the obligation to wear a mask, you must always carry it with you and show it on request. Instead of the mask you must then wear a visor.

Link to the reservation system (German) (login data = library card data)  >>

We will confirm your booking by e-mail.

Rules of use and reservation

• You need a valid library card to make a reservation.
• You can make a reservation for a maximum of 6 hours per day, divided into several time slots.
• Reservations can be made up to one week in advance.
• The workstations are numbered consecutively. Please use only your reserved workstation.
• Workstations that are not occupied after 30 minutes will be automatically released.
• If you do not need a reserved seat after all, we ask you to cancel the reservation in the interest of others. In case of repeated non-cancellation of reserved seats, the USB reserves the right to exclude users from the reservation option.

Students of the University of Cologne (first listener) must activate their library card via the UCCard.

We offer:

• Borrowing of print media - (from the main department, Department of Human Sciences and the Joint Specialized Libraries)
• Access to our e-media from home. All you need is your student account and free additional software (VPN client).
• Work places can be booked.
• Online guided tours and training (German)

This is not possible:

• Personal information & advice on site

We offer:

• Borrowing of print media - (from the main department, Department of Human Sciences and the Joint Specialized Libraries)
• Access to our e-media from home. All you need is your student account or employee account and free additional software (VPN client).
• Work places can be booked
• Online guided tours and training (German)

This is not possible:

• Personal information & advice on site

How to get a library card:

1. Please fill in our online registration form. You will then receive a preliminary user number.
   With the preliminary user number you book an appointment for the card issue at the registration, 1st floor (Mon - Fri 10-16). You will receive a reservation confirmation by e-mail.
   Important: The entrance system can only be passed with a valid library card. Please show your reservation confirmation at the control desk.
   
   With the preliminary user number you will be able
   - to order or reserve books from our inventory
    
2. Please bring the following documents with you:
   - Identity card or passport with registration certificate or residence permit
   - if applicable, proof of employment (as pdf-document)
   - if necessary student card

You cannot come to us during these opening hours? Then the library card can be sent to you. Please send us an e-mail.

Renew your existing cards by sending an e-mail to the lending services (Ortsleihe).

Before you apply for a library card, check whether it is worthwhile for you. Due to Corona our offer is currently limited for you. Therefore:

• Please check in advance on our homepage whether we have literature on your topic. Our library card is not valid for ZBMed!
• If necessary, ask for advice in advance: Mon - Fri 10-16  (0221 470-2374) or by e-mail.
• An annual fee of 20,- € may apply. (Fees and prices)

We currently do not issue library cards for pupils. (Info for pupils)

We offer:

• Borrowing of print media - (from the main department, Department of Human Sciences and the Joint Specialized Libraries)
• Access to electronic media in the Internet room (1st floor) of the UCL ( place booking required). Please bring a USB stick with you to download.
• Work places can be booked. Only a very limited number of work places are available.

This is not possible:

• Use of electronic media from home
• Use/order of institute holdings
• Personal information & advice on site

How to get a library card:

1. Please fill in our online registration form. You will then receive a preliminary user number.
   With the preliminary user number you book an appointment for the card issue at the registration, 1st floor (Mon - Fri 10-16). You will receive a reservation confirmation by e-mail.
   Important: The entrance system can only be passed with a valid library card. Please show your reservation confirmation at the control desk.
   
   With the preliminary user number you will be able
   - to order or reserve books from our inventory
    
2. Please bring the following documents with you:
   - Identity card or passport with registration certificate or residence permit
   - if applicable, documents for exemption from the annual fee
   - if necessary student card
   - pupil's identity card, if applicable; for minors: declaration of consent by a parent or guardian (pdf, 41 kb) and photo ID (copy) of the parent or guardian who signed the declaration of consent

You cannot come to us during these opening hours? Then the library card can be sent to you. Please send us an e-mail.

Renew your existing cards by sending an e-mail to the lending services (Ortsleihe).

Book lending (textbook collection, direct loan area, pick-up shelves) as well as return is possible during all opening hours.

Please follow AHA rules (Distance/Hygiene/medical mouth and nose protection).

You can renew your media 5x. After the 5th renewal, media can be borrowed again directly at the reading room and interlibrary loan desk if no reservation has been made.

Interlibrary loans can be picked up and returned at the reading room and interlibrary loan counter (Reading Room I, 1st floor).

If you have ordered media to the reading room counter or to the Reading Room Historical Collections, please make an appointment by telephone for viewing.
In advance you can check the free time slots via our reservation system (German). You can check at any time via "My Account" whether reading room literature is available for you.

Reading room I

• Reservable time slots: 1-2 hours
• Telephone: +49 221 470-3314
• free time slots in Reading room I (German)

Reading Room Historical Collections from 25.5.2021, Mon-Fri 10-14

• Reservable time slots: 1-2 hours
• Telephone: +49 221 470- 3199
• free time slots in Reading Room Historical Collections (German)

Corona rules in the reading rooms

• Please observe the usual hygiene rules (distance, sneezing etiquette, hand hygiene).
• It is compulsory to wear a medical mouth-nose protection during your entire stay in the library.
• If you want to clean the workplace before use, cleaning agents are available for this purpose.

The current journal issues in the journal display in Reading Room VII, 2nd floor can be consulted.

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.

• The "Information & Advice" counter remains closed. Please ask us your consulting questions by e-mail or by phone at +49 221 470-2374 Monday to Friday from 10 to 16.
• We are not currently running any training courses on site. We offer online courses via Zoom. Library tours will again take place on site with prior booking. To the new guided tour and online course offer >>

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 - 16.00.
You are also welcome to mail us!

Questions about lending - e-mail

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

• The "Information & Advice" counter remains closed. Please ask us your consulting questions by e-mail or by phone at +49 221 470-2374 Monday to Friday from 10 to 14.
• parent-child room (1. floor)
• group workspace (2. floor)

• Only for students of the University of Cologne (first listeners, library user number beginning with an A)
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10-18
• 3Gs (vaccinated, recovered, tested - the test must not be older than 24 hours) and photo ID
• Access only with medical mouth and nose protection.
• Using our reservation system, you can book a workplace in reading room for up to 4 hours. A reservation is mandatory.
• Link to the reservation system (German) (login data = library card data)  >>
• Journals for short-term loan are available on request at the reading room counter without prior order.

• Ordering and borrowing
  • Ordering via the UCL-Portal is possible. This also applies to textbooks. Textbooks and magazine books are available for you to borrow for 2 weeks on the next opening day at the issue counter in the basement (Building 216, block B, component 2).
  • The old holdings with shelfmark groups before 1984/* cannot be ordered at the moment due to storm damage.
  • Journals can be ordered directly from the reading room counter for short loan without prior order.
  • Opening hours for borrowing: Mon-Fri 11-16; Thurs additionally 16-18
• Renewing library items
  You can extend your media 5 times. After the 5th extension, no re-borrowing is possible at the issue counter. Please return your media and reorder them if necessary.
• Testothek
  Tests can be ordered by e-mail as usual.
  Opening hours for Testothek:  Mon-Fri 11-14
  Return at the issue counter
• Return
  All borrowed media (except tests and short loans) can be returned via the book slot (issue counter).
  Mon-Fri 9-18
• Cash payment of fees is no longer possible
  You can pay by bank transfer - please use this account number only for transfers to USB Cologne:

  Universitätskasse Köln
  Sparkasse KölnBonn
  IBAN DE53 3705 0198 1902 4910 16
  BIC COLSDE33
  
  Reason for payment: Please be sure to include your user number so that we can correctly allocate your payment!
  
  Important: If the hash (#) in your user number is not accepted in online banking, you can enter either a dash (-) or a space instead.

• The textbook collection remains closed.
• However, you can order textbooks via the UCL-Portal. They will be available for you to borrow for 2 weeks on the next opening day at the lending desk in the magazine.
  Opening hours for borrowing: Mon-Fri 11-16; Thu additionally 16-18
• Internet workstations for external users are not available.

• 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.

• Media can be borrowed for copying or scanning in daily borrowing until the specialist library is closed or for an extended period of five opening days. The return of the items is possible until 14 on the day of deposit. Immediate re-borrowing is not possible.