Only students and staff at Gothenburg University can visit the library to pick up or return books. Your loans are renewed automatically, you will receive a reminder when it’s time to return an item. Use our self-service machines and outdoor book drops for borrowing and returns. About the library's adjusted service
Using the library as a new student
Welcome as a new student! Covid-19 have an effect on the spring semester 2021, which means that the library's opening hours and services are adjusted. Here are some things that are good to know when you start using the University Library's services.
Due to covid-19, all loans temporarily have automatic renewals and access to the libraries' study environments has been limited. The latest updates can be found at our information page changed service due to covid -19.
Our libraries
At the University of Gothenburg there are eight libraries which together constitute the Gothenburg University Library. You will find information about the libraries' opening hours, addresses and contact information on each library page.
The GU card is your library card
As a student at the university, you can use your GU card as a library card to borrow books, journals and other materials.
About GU card and library card
Find and borrow textbooks
The library often has several copies of the textbooks used in courses at the University of Gothenburg. You will find the University Library's textbooks and other material in Supersearch. Choose the filter Textbooks to limit your search results.
When you find a book in Supersearch, you can see where it is located and often pick up the book directly from the shelf. The textbooks are arranged in alphabetical order, sorted by book title. You can make a reservation for the textbook if it is out on loan.
Loan periods for textbooks
The loan periods for textbooks is 14 days. In order to reduce the number of visits to the library, all loans temporarily have automatic renewals. The loan is renewed up to nine times if no one has made a reservation for the book.
About borrowing at the library
Return loans
We will contact you when it’s time to return your loans. When the libraries are closed you can return books in book drops located at the Biomedical Library and the Humanities Library.
See loans and reservations in My loans
Log in to the My loans service to see your loans and update your contact information. You log in with your GU account or library card. In My Loans you can:
- check when your loans are due for return
- see which books you have reserved, and what place you have on the waiting list
- find out if you have any overdue fines to pay
- pay overdue fines and replacement fees
- update your contact details.
Study places
The libraries study places and group study rooms are closed until 24 January. You will find up-to-date information on the study places and services available on each library page.
Lunch seminars about academic support service
Every semester we give short lunch seminars about word, how to search, databases and references. A few of them are in English.
Lunch seminars about academic support service
If you have a reading impairment
Students who have a reading impairment are entitled to adapted course literature and longer loan periods for textbooks.
Our service for students with reading impairments
At each start of the semester, the University Library invites you to drop-ins, where we talk about talking books, apps, software and reading studios that are equipped with useful programs. These will be held via zoom during the spring of 2021.
Contact us
Contact us if you have questions or need practical help using the library's services, information resources and premises.