Borrowing

Good to know

• How do I find a book or other item?

  First, look up the document in LibSearch. 

  LibSearch provides access to physical and digital library collections worldwide. Items that are in the possession of the VU University Library or are digitally accessible for students and staff can be recognised by the indication Held by VU Library. In this case, book materials can be reserved online.

  Some books, such as reference works, examination literature and recent acquisitions, can also be taken from open shelves and consulted or borrowed. The borrowing options are indicated per book.  

  Via LibSearch, you can also request documents that are not in the possession of the University Library.

• When can I collect a reserved book?

  If you want to borrow a book you have to reserve it in advance in LibSearch. You will receive a pick-up message as soon as the book is available. 

  Delivery times

  Collection	Reservation placed before	Available by appointment from
  Old prints, archives and cartographic material	Monday to Friday 15:00	Next working day
  Medical	Monday to Friday 11.00	Next working day
  All other books	Monday to Friday 9.30	Same day from 13.00

  Collection date and location

  You can collect or peruse finished books within a week at the University Library desk in the main building, location 1C-02. 

  Exceptions

  Reference works cannot be reserved online but you can consult them in the University Library.

• How long can I borrow books?

  The standard loan period is 4 weeks and is automatically extended 5 times. After this period, we will send you a reminder to return the book. 

  You can borrow examination literature for one day. Exceeding this period will cost € 2.50 per day. 

  Reference works and journal issues cannot be borrowed; you can only consult them in the University Library.  

  Old prints and archives can be consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room by appointment. Please contact the University Library to make an appointment.

• Fines

  We don't like fines. That is why you can always return books with a loan period of 4 weeks free of charge, even if the expiry date has already passed.

  For the late return of examination books, reference books and other daylending materials, we charge € 2.50 per day.

  It may happen that you lose or damage a book. In that case, we charge replacement costs with a minimum of € 50 per book.

• Return

  You must return borrowed books if they have been reserved by someone else or if the loan period has expired. The loan period is 4 weeks and is automatically renewed 5 times. You can find the expiry date and the number of renewals in your personal LibSearch account. 

  You can return your books at the University Library desk in the main building or leave them in a return box at one of the following locations: 

  - in the central hall on the ground floor of the main building 

  - in the hall in front of the University Library entrance 

  - on the 2nd floor in the Initium. 

  Would you like to return your books by post? Then send them to: 

  VU University Library 

  De Boelelaan 1105 

  1081 HV Amsterdam 

  Please note: you remain responsible for any loss or damage during shipment. 

Frequently asked questions

• Where can I find the new Search Environment, LibSearch for searching hardcopy and digital collections?

  On the homepage of the University Library, the LibSearch search bar is right at the top. Type in the search query directly and/or click on the magnifying glass. You can also go directly to LibSearch

• I have a VUnetID or a VUmc account. How can I make reservations, extend loans and/or access information about my existing loans?

  When you are in the search environment, click on the [Sign in] button in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

  • Students and VU employees can log in with their VUnetID 
  • VUmc employees can log in with their VUmc account

  Click on the [my account] button to view all available information.

• I do not have a VUnetID or a VUmc account. How can I make reservations, extend loans and/or access information about my existing loans?

  When you are in the Search Environment, click on the button “Sign In” in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

  • When signing in, choose “VU Library with Library Account”
  • Then choose “Set/reset password”
  • In the field "User name", enter the e-mail address that is registered at the University Library and click on "Set/reset password".
  • The system will then send a message providing a link with which you can set a password. Note: this message may be seen as spam, so check your spam folder.

• I receive an “error” notice when I want to make reservations, extend loans and/or access information about my existing loans. What should I do?

  • Make sure you are in the Search Environment and click on the button “Sign in”.
  • Close the browser if necessary, and repeat the process.
  • If you have a VUnetID or VUmc account and the error notification below appears, your Library Card probably needs to be activated and/or you have not made any reservations or borrowed any books in the preceding year.
  • You can activate your Library Card at the Library Service Desk on the 1st floor of the Main Building, or at the Library Service Desk in the VU Medical Centre.

• How do I make an ILL request?

  Click on the ILL request button in LibSearch and follow the step by step instructions.

• Why don't I get an email notification when my book is almost overdue?

  The message probably ended up in the spam folder of your mailbox. A reminder is sent two days before the due date with no-reply@oclc.org as the sender. Add the domain oclc.org to the list of trusted addresses to receive the messages in your inbox again. Didn't find the mail in your spam folder? Then check under "My Library account > Contact Information" whether we have registered the correct e-mail address.

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