Loan conditions

In general, the library consists of media that can be taken directly from the shelf (open access area) and media that are kept in non-public storage (stack).

The loan conditions for media from the open access area are determined by labels on the spine. Please note the following:

• Academic literature (with or without a yellow label on spine):
  • Loan period of two weeks for students and guest users
  • Loan period of four weeks for employees and associates of University of Jena
• Textbooks (red label (might say LBS) on spine):
  • Loan period of four weeks
• Bound journals from the Branch Library of Arts and Humanities:
  • Loan period of two weeks
• Books that are signed with LS, ESA or carry two yellow labels on the spine cannot be borrowed. The same applies to newspapers and journals (non-hardback). 

Media from the stack can be borrowed for four weeks. Bound journals from the main stack (publ. 1981 -) can be borrowed for two weeks. Please note that some materials can only be read inside the library buildings depending on the year of publication, condition, etc. More information here: How can I order media from the stack?

You can keep track of loan periods in your online user account. ThULB will send a reminder via e-mail before the loan period for your book expires. Please be aware that library users are fully responsible for the return of media on-time, even if a reminder has not been received (e.g. due to technical errors).

Before the check out of media, please examine them on potential damages (marks, water spots, etc.) and report these to staff at the desks. The library will demand for compensation if books carry damages at the time of return.

You can renew media the following ways:

Users can reserve borrowed items via ThULB-Suche catalogue. You will be informed via e-mail once these items have been returned to the library. In your online user account these media will be listed in the section “Ready for pickup”. Users have five days to pick them up at the desk. 

Users are able to reserve three items at the same time. An item on circulation can be reserved by two different users simultaneously.

Media that are located in the stack (Magazin) can be requested via ThULB-Suche by clicking on the button „Place a hold“. Please insert your user number and your password.

Some volumes might not appear in the “Related Volumes” section. These have to be ordered manually. On the right hand side, please click on “Volume not listed? Request here!” and enter bibliographical data in order to request your favoured volume. You will receive an additional e-mail with information regarding the pick-up location for journals and newspapers that cannot be booked directly onto your library user account.

The transport of ordered media might take up to twenty-four hours (Monday-Friday). As soon as your requested media have arrived in the library, they can be picked up on-site. These will be listed in your online user account in the section “Ready for pickup”.

Ordered media have to be picked up at the desk within a time period of ten days. The usual loan period is four weeks. Bound journals from the main stack (publ. 1981 -) can be borrowed for two weeks.

Please return media with all attached materials (CDs, maps, etc.). Damages during use might be subject to charges. Please report any case to the desk and consult the staff.

Once media are overdue ThULB will send reminders that are subject to charges. The library will charge the following fines when items have not been returned within the loan period:

The first and second reminder will be sent via e-mail. The third reminder will be processed as registered mail. Additional costs have to be covered by the user.

In case you have not submitted an e-mail address during registration, all reminders will be sent via regular mail. Costs have to be covered by the user.

Mail recipients carry any risks regarding delivery failure (see §17 (11) library terms and conditions).

All fines are listed in your library user account and can only be paid with your thoska at loan desks or self-service machines in the main four library branches.

Please consult with staff members from the branch library where the book is normally located.

ThULB is always interested in finding an amicable solution with its users.