Entlehnung. © Universität Wien / Barbara Mair

Lending Services

You can borrow almost all media (books, CD-ROMs, etc.) from the holdings of the Vienna University Library to use them at home.

However, you cannot borrow older holdings (published more than 100 years ago), particularly large or precious and damaged holdings, as well as books from the reserve collection.

Where books are kept in stacks (e.g. at the Main Library), you usually have to request the books via u:search before you can take them home. Where books are kept in open-shelf areas, you can usually take the books home immediately.

Loan periods vary depending on the library. You find a note next to the book information on u:search, telling you whether and for how long you can borrow the relevant book. If you have further questions about loan periods, renewing loans and returning books, please read our FAQs or contact one of our employees at the relevant library.

You need a library card to borrow books..


Reminder fees

If you fail to return books you borrowed on time, we will charge you with a reminder fee unless you are exempt from paying fees. Moreover, your right to use the library services is revoked until you have returned the book and paid the reminder fees.

Current fees:

  • € 2.00 reminder fee per reminder letter / reminder e-mail
  • € 0.20 overdue charge per book and day as of the due date

You receive an e-mail reminder or (if you did not provide an e-mail address) a reminder by post as soon as the loan period has passed. 9 days after the due date, you receive a second reminder by e-mail. Another 9 days later we send you the third reminder in the form of a registered letter.

Reminders are usually sent by e-mail. Therefore, please check whether the e-mail address you provided in your library account is correct and check your mailbox regularly.