Here's what you need to know about libraries in Germany!

Coins, Locks, and Student ID

No, you won't have to pay anything to use your university library! Just put all your belongings (backpack, jacket, etc.) in a locker and lock it. To use the lockers, you'll need coins (1 € or 2 €)! It's pretty simple: put the coins in the box above the locker, lock it, and take the key with you. You'll get your coins back when you unlock the locker. Pretty straightforward, right?

At some universities, you need to bring your own locks to close the lockers, or you scan the barcode on your student ID instead of using coins. You'd better ask your mentor or take a walk around to understand how things work. Being well prepared always does more good than harm.

One thing to keep in mind is knowing what to use and when. There are two types of lockers: daily and weekly, and they are distinctly separated. You'll need to pick up your belongings on time (usually by 10 PM for daily lockers and by noon on Sundays for weekly lockers). Otherwise, the library staff will "help" you do it.

You can buy a lock at any supermarket or online (price: 2-10 €). Or you can go to a UniShop at the university to buy one with the university logo, but it can be a bit expensive.

Clear Bags

You can only bring clear bags inside the library. You can buy them at the UniShop for just 0.5-1 €. A bag can hold up to 5 kg, so don't worry, you can use these bags for a long time.

Canteen

"An empty stomach has no ears" is a proverb for a reason. It's impossible to focus on your studies on an empty stomach. But what do you do when you're not allowed to bring food or drinks to the library? You can go to the canteen!

In general, canteens are located near libraries so that students can quickly grab something to eat and recharge. Just like the university cafeteria, using your student ID, you can pay for your meals at a special rate (but of course, you need to load money onto your student account first).

Borrowing Books

To borrow books, you can go to the librarian's desk or use the self-service machines at the library entrance.

Each type of learning material or book can be borrowed for a different duration with the possibility of extending the time (if there's no "reservation"). You can check the labels/symbols on the books to find out when you need to return them or if you can extend the borrowing period. This information is also available online on your library user account. Don't miss the deadlines; otherwise, you'll have to pay a fine! To use your library account, log in with your student ID. There you can check which books you've borrowed and when they're due, and you can also see if someone has placed a "reservation" to borrow a book before you. You can also extend the borrowing period through this account. It's quick and convenient!

If your university doesn't have what you need, you can:

• Ask the library to acquire it
• Borrow it from another university (Fernleihe)

Some books are published as e-books. You can find them in the available book lists at the university and download them to your devices, which is possible as long as you do it using the university's internet connection. However, you're not allowed to use them for commercial purposes!

Lost/Damaged Books

You must contact the library immediately to find a solution! Never think you can just ignore it and continue your studies! That won't happen, because to get your degree, you need the library's confirmation that you've returned everything you borrowed. That's why you have to be honest and contact the library in case of loss or damage to find a solution.

These are just general guidelines for using a university library in Germany. Each university may have other rules, so join their Bib-Tour to be better informed!

Bib-Tour: instructions given to first-year students on how to use the library, such as how to search for and use learning materials, usually organized at the beginning of each new semester.