If you want to borrow a book from the University Library, you must reserve it in advance through LibSearch. You will receive a pickup notification as soon as the book is available.
You need a borrower's pass to borrow documents. Are you a student? Then have your student card activated as a library card.
Interlibrary Loan
Documents not held by the University Library can be requested via interlibrary loan. Please note: there are costs associated with this!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When you are in the search environment, click on the [Sign in] button in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Click on the [my account] button to view all available information.
When you are in the Search Environment, click on the button “Sign In” in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Click on the ILL request button in LibSearch and follow the step by step instructions.
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.
Stop by our service desk or contact us!
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