Searching and finding

To find literature in the University Main Library, please first consult the search platform swisscovery Basel. This will show you the location of a book:

• Open stacks:You can collect the book in the open stacks (map: floors 1-6) yourself. Make a note of the call number, but without the prefix "UBH".
• Journals stacks: The journals stacks are closed to the public, but items can be ordered during this time and will be made available by library staff for collection. Items can be ordered via swisscovery and can be collected from the lending desk on the first floor after receipt of a collection notice.
• Closed stacks: you may order the book from our closed stacks online: click on Lending in the library catalogue.
• Reading room: books in the reading room belong to the reference collection and cannot be borrowed (see Reading rooms) 
• Special reading room: you can pick up items from our non-borrowable holdings at the special reading room and consult them on-site (see historical holdings).

To order i.e. borrow books from the library, you will need a user ID (see Registration / first steps). Registration | first steps).

You will find our electronic media in the library catalogue, as well as on the following page. The staff at the information desk are happy to help you with searching in the catalogue, databases, etc. as well as with all other steps.

Collecting ordered books

Books which have been ordered from our closed stacks can be collected from the lending desk after the delivery period. The books will be kept there for you for a period of two weeks.

Postal delivery (only possible within Switzerland)

On request we will send all borrowable items per post to your address. Select "Region Basel" as the Pickup Institution and "Private Address" or "Work Address" if available, as the Pickup Location (CHF 12.- per item).

Courier orders and interlibrary loans

Media which are not available at the University Main Library, may be ordered from courier libraries as well as other from other  libraries in Switzerland and abroad.

Acquisition request

You can make an acquisition request and we will check whether the book can be ordered for the University Library Basel.

By tram

Tram no. 3 to Spalentor

By bus

Bus no. 30 to Spalentor or Bernoullianum

Mail address

Universitätsbibliothek Basel
Schönbeinstrasse 18-20
4056 Basel
Switzerland

Delivery of goods

For deliveries of goods please contact the caretaker at the University Main Library 2-3 hours before the delivery by phone on +41 61 207 31 77 or via email at hausdienst-ub@clutterunibas.ch.

Coordinates

DMS 47° 33′ 33.84″ N, 7° 34′ 52.32″ E
Dezimal 47.5594, 7.5812