Who may use the University Library?

The University Library Basel is open to all interested parties free of charge. You may take borrowed items home if your main or secondary residence is in Switzerland or in the Baden or Alsace areas. All other interested persons may consult our media holdings in the reading room. Further information can be found in our library regulations.

swisscovery

Our holdings are accessible via the swisscovery Swiss search portal. By registering, you will also have access to the services provided by the libraries connected to the swisscovery library network.

Library card
Are you a member of the University of Basel?

Register with the SWITCH edu-ID that you linked to the University of Basel, in order to make use of the services of the University Library Basel and the swisscovery library network. Your UNIcard (students and staff) is valid in all the libraries connected to swisscovery. The personal data in your user account are automatically loaded when your SWITCH edu-ID is linked to your university account.

Are you already a user of another swisscovery library?

The library cards of libraries connected to swisscovery are also valid in the University Library Basel.

You do not yet have a library card?

Create a SWITCH edu-ID online and register for swisscovery using the swisscovery registration link. If you do not yet have a SWITCH edu-ID, then create an account.  Otherwise, log in with your existing SWITCH edu-ID. Then come to one of the lending desks of the University Library with an official ID and you will receive a library card. You can find the individual locations here

 

Suchen & Finden

Einführung in swisscovery

Wir zeigen Ihnen in 15-30 Minuten die Funktionalitäten unseres neuen Suchportals swisscovery (Recherche, Bestellung, Benutzungskonto) und die Dienstleistungen der Universitätsbibliothek Basel.

Anmeldung per E-Mail an info-ub@clutterunibas.ch (spätestens zwei Arbeitstage im Voraus)
Schreiben Sie uns mit dem Betreff "Suchen und Finden" und nennen Sie Ihren Wunschtermin sowie einen Ausweichtermin (Mo - Fr zwischen 9 und 16 Uhr)

In order to be able to use swisscovery and the SLSP Courier, you will have to register. A SWITCH edu-ID account is required for this purpose. We recommend that you link your SWITCH edu-ID account to your educational institution (if available).

You can register with swisscovery with your SWITCH edu-ID. If you do not yet have a SWITCH edu-ID account, you can set it up when you register. In doing so, you must consent to your SWITCH edu-ID account data being passed on to SLSP (see data protection provisions above). Existing library cards and UNIcards can still be used.

Registration for companies, institutions, libraries

SWITCH edu-ID can only be used for personal accounts. If you need an account for your company / institution / library, please apply for an institutional account using the form on the SLSP registration page. Then contact your preferred library by email to activate the account. Like personal accounts, institutional accounts can be used for all SLSP libraries.
FAQ for customers of Institutional Accounts

Members of the University of Basel

When a SWITCH AAI account is linked to the SWITCH edu-ID, the UNIcard library number is automatically copied to the library account and the address details also do not have to be added manually. Address changes therefore only have to be made at the University of Basel.  

The creation of a SWITCH edu-ID is not only essential for the use of the libraries, but after 10 November 2020, other university services can also only be used with a SWITCH edu-ID. Additional information

 

Other users

After creating a SWITCH edu-ID, the library user number must be entered when registering. You will receive additional information during the registration process and under «Help»: https://registration.slsp.ch/?iz=ubs

Users who do not yet have a user card can have one issued at any circulation desk in the participating libraries. Prior registration with swisscovery is necessary.

Searching and finding

To find media in our libraries, start your search online in swisscovery Basel.

Borrowing

You can locate the holdings in the open stacks (or freely accessible areas) by means of their call number and you can borrow these items at the self-checkout stations.

Ordering

You can order media from the closed stacks directly online in swisscovery Basel.

If you have ordered items that may be borrowed, these can be collected from the self collection room (University Main Library) or the circulation desks. For media that may only be used on site, please consult the location-specific information.

Reading room

You may use the media in the reading rooms on site.

Delivery periods

You will find an overview of delivery periods for ordered media here.

Searched for, but not found? If you do not find an item in swisscovery Basel, expand the search in the search field to swisscovery (libraries participating throughout Switzerland) or swisscovery plus (the whole of Switzerland and the Renouvaud network). Many libraries will deliver items by courier to Basel, even from outside of Basel. Should a courier order not be possible, then you can order via interlibrary loan.

You can also make an acquisition request and we will check whether the book you are searching for can be ordered for the library.

Note for users from neighbouring countries: Please use the interlibrary loan order form to order books and the copy order form to order copies. (Orders via the Basel Courier and the SLSP Courier as well as copy orders from swisscovery are only possible for people residing in Switzerland and for members of a Swiss academic institution - university, university of applied sciences, teacher training institution).

Basel Courier

Items from the following libraries may be ordered for delivery to the University Main Library free of charge. Alternatively, you can have items from the University Main Library delivered to one of the listed libraries. Items can be returned at any of the participating libraries.

Items may be collected the next working day from 15:00 onwards at the circulation desk (non-borrowable holdings in the Special Reading Room). Delivery of items between libraries other than the University Main Library requires an additional working day. Collection notices will be sent for all orders.


[Translate to English:] swisscovery Basel

Here you will find all items that you can order via the Basel Courier or the SLSP Courier.

 


SLSP Courier

Items from swisscovery courier libraries can be ordered for collection from any of the libraries participating in the courier service and may also be returned at any of these libraries.  Whether an item can be ordered via courier can be seen under Further request options in swisscovery. If you would like to order a book from another library to one of the University Library Basel libraries, select "Region Basel" as the collection institution and then the desired library.

Costs: CHF 6.- per item. Cash payment can be made on collection or payment can be made by means of monthly invoices. For documents that are not collected, the costs will be invoiced.

Delivery period: Ordered items are delivered to the preferred library for collection within three working daysat the latest and will be available for collection for a week. You will receive a collection notice.

Note for users from neighbouring countries: Please use the interlibrary loan order form to order books and the copy order form to order copies. (Orders via the Basel Courier and the SLSP Courier as well as copy orders from swisscovery are only possible for people residing in Switzerland and for members of a Swiss academic institution - university, university of applied sciences, teacher training institution).


Libraries without a courier

Items from Swiss libraries that do not participate in the courier service can be ordered via interlibrary loan.

Items that are not available on site or that cannot be ordered via courier, can be ordered as an interlibrary loan. We will obtain the item from an external library and will make the item available for you to borrow or to consult in the Special Reading Room.

Ordering methodCostsDelivery period
Interlibrary loans from SwitzerlandCHF 12.–1 – 2 weeks
Interlibrary loans from Europe (excl. GB)  CHF 24.–2 - 4 weeks
Interlibrary loans from abroadCHF 36.–2 – 4 weeks

Conditions:
    • The costs apply to each individual item. In case of higher costs, the actual costs will be calculated (in accordance with a quotation).
    • Delivery times may exceed the indicated delivery periods, for example in the case of orders from abroad.
    • Newspapers, large formats, and special formats (loose-leaf issues, videos, DVDs, CDs, cassettes, etc.) cannot be obtained from non-Swiss libraries.
    • Lending conditions and loan periods of the lending libraries apply (sometimes books from non-Swiss libraries may not be taken home).
    • You may select the University Main Library or the University Business and Economics Library as the library from which to collect items. Items cannot be sent by post to your home.
    • Works with a publication date before 1830 may not be ordered in their original format via interlibrary loan.
    • Works with a publication date before 1900 may not be taken home and will only be made available for consultation in our Special Reading Room; copies from these works may be requested.
    • For the provision of copies see copy orders

    Information for Libraries ...

    .... wishing to obtain material from the University of Basel Library via International Interlibrary Loan.


    Note for users from neighbouring countries: Please use the interlibrary loan order form to order books and the copy order form to order copies. (Orders via the Basel Courier and the SLSP Courier as well as copy orders from swisscovery are only possible for people residing in Switzerland and for members of a Swiss academic institution - university, university of applied sciences, teacher training institution).

    As a rule, the loan period is 28 days, but shorter loan periods are possible. This information can be found in the library catalogue. If no reservation exists, the loan period will be automatically extended.

    Renewals when collecting items on site (borrowing from your library)

    You can renew items yourself in your user account as long as there are no reservations. An extension is only possible up to the maximum loan period date, which is 5 x the respective loan period (for a loan period of 28 days the maximum loan period is 168 days).

    The loan period for DVDs is 14 days and cannot be extended.

    Renewals for loans via courier

    The loan periods are automatically extended if there is no reservation. Up to 5 renewals are possible. Manual renewals can be made, but these will shorten the maximum loan period.

    Interlibrary loansThe loan period for interlibrary loans is 1 month as a rule, but may be shorter in accordance with the specifications of the lending library (see also the Conditions for interlibrary loans). An extension may be requested in exceptional cases. Contact the University Main Libraryat least five days before the expiry of the loan period.
    RemindersAfter expiry of the loan period and the receipt of a free reminder, you will receive reminders for a fee. The time period from the expiry of the loan period / sending of a reminder to the sending of the next reminder is six working days.

    Lending restrictions

    An overview of the lending restrictions of the university branch libraries can be found here.

     


    Regulations

    The lending and usage regulations published on the website are binding and are supported by the library regulations.

    For a fee, we will provide copies of articles or texts from journals or books (electronically or by post). We will either make copies from our own holdings or we will obtain copies for you from other libraries. Please take note of the Reproduction Guidelines for the University Library Basel  (in German) and the relevant copyright regulations (see box).

    Ordering options
    Fees and delivery periods
    Ordering directly via swisscovery
    Supplier / ordering methodPrice per 50 pages (electronic)Delivery period
    Via Digitization button in swisscoveryCHF 5.0024 hours (Mo-Fr)
    Copy orders by companiesCHF 25.–24 hours (Mo-Fr)
    Ordering via copy order form
    Supplier / ordering methodPrice per 20 pages (electronic)Price per 20 pages (post)Delivery period
    Other Swiss libraries and subitoCHF 5.– to 12.–CHF 7.50 to 12.002-7 days
    Libraries from abroad (excluding subito)CHF 16.–CHF 16.0014 days
    Copy orders for companies (independent of supplier)CHF 25.–CHF 27.50see above
    • We will attempt to make use of the most client-friendly supplier and ordering method.
    • Delivery times may exceed the indicated delivery periods, for example in the case of orders from abroad.
    • For higher costs you will receive a quotation.

    Note for users from neighbouring countries: Please use the interlibrary loan order form to order books and the copy order form to order copies. (Orders via the Basel Courier and the SLSP Courier as well as copy orders from swisscovery are only possible for people residing in Switzerland and for members of a Swiss academic institution - university, university of applied sciences, teacher training institution).


    Copyright

     

    The sending of copies and their further use are subject to the provisions of Swiss copyright law or licence agreement conditions and are generally permitted for the personal, educational or internal use by users.  
    Publication of the copy, making it available online, as well as further commercial use are not permitted. Compliance with copyright and with the contractual provisions is the responsibility of the user.

    Courier service

    Basel Courierfree of charge
    SLSP CourierCHF 6.– per item


    Postal delivery

    to postal addresses in SwitzerlandCHF 12.- per item


    Interlibrary loans

    Ordering of items from other libraries by staff of the University Library Basel

    from SwitzerlandCHF 12.– per item
    from Europe (excluding GB)CHF 24.– per item
    from Great Britain and overseasCHF 36.– per item

    For higher costs the actual costs will be invoiced (in accordance with a quotation).

    Sending of copies

    • Members of the university, private persons, Swiss public institutions
     electronic deliverypostal delivery
    Delivery from the holdings of the University Library BaselCHF 5.– max. 50 pages-
    Delivery from SLSP librariesCHF 5.– max. 50 pages-
    Delivery from other Swiss libraries and subitoCHF 5.- to 12.- per 20 pages*CHF 5.- to 12.- per 20 pages*
    Delivery from other non-Swiss librariesCHF 16.- per 20 pages*CHF 16.- per 20 pages*

    *plus CHF 5.– for every additional 20 resp. 50 pages

    For higher costs the actual costs will be invoiced (in accordance with a quotation).

    • Companies/commercial use - Switzerland
     electronic deliverypostal delivery
    Delivery of copies

    CHF 25.- per 50 pages (ordered directly via swisscovery)

    CHF 25.- per 20 pages (ordered via the library)

    -

    CHF 27.50 per 20 pages

     

    International interlibrary loans for libraries

    Postal delivery to libraries in Europe (excl. GB)2 IFLA vouchers per item
    Postal delivery to libraries in GB and outside of Europe3 IFLA vouchers per item
    Copies from the University Library Basel holdings1 IFLA voucher per 20 pages

     

    Reminder fees

    Recall reminderfree of charge
    1st ReminderCHF 5.– per item
    2nd ReminderCHF 5.– per item
    3rd ReminderCHF 10.– per item
    Replacement (+ administration fee)Book price (+ CHF 50.–)

    After an unsuccessful 3rd reminder, the library reserves the right to purchase a replacement copy of the item after 10 days, at the user’s expense. The actual book price (determined by the University Library) and a processing fee of CHF 50.- will be charged.

    Replacement if a library copy is lost

    If a user loses a library copy, the library will purchase a replacement copy. The book price (the library will determine the price of the book (hardcover) according to the current price in bookstores or second-hand bookshops) and an administration fee of CHF 50.- will be charged.

    Commissioned information searches

    Member of the university, private persons, Swiss public sector institutions
    Thematic and bibliographic search requests
    up to a max. of 30 minutes processing time
    free of charge
    thereafter (according to a cost estimate)CHF 30.- / 15 min.
    Companies/commercial use
    Thematic and bibliographic search requests
    (according to a cost estimate))
    CHF 50.- / 15 min.

    Plus material costs (e.g. copies), any fees (telephone, fax, postage fees) and the costs charged by database providers.

    The data supplied are intended for personal use and may not be passed on to third parties in any way.

    Systematic Reviews

    Basic orders (no billing of the end user)
    Person information search consultations up to 1 hourfree of charge
    Training and coursesfree of charge
    Extended orders (charged to the end client)
    Personal information search consultations over 1 hourCHF 125.- / hr*
    Carrying out literature searches and other work for Systematic ReviewsCHF 125.- / hr*

    * 50% discount for students (BA, MA) of the University of Basel
    *exkl. VAT for non-members and students; excl. 20% overhead for non-members

     

    Regulations

    The fees and prices published on the website are binding and are supported by the library regulations.

    Prices Digitisation Centre

    The prices for copies that you make yourself, and for copy orders can be found here.

    Billing by SLSP

    For fee-based services from swisscovery (e.g. copy orders, SLSP Courier, postal delivery), invoices are issued monthly by the operator of swisscovery, the Swiss Library Service Platform (SLSP). You can find all the information on invoices for fees at FAQ Billing by SLSP .

    SLSKey Basel - Service for our public users

    Research stations and internet access

    In the University Library (University Main Library, University Medical Library, University Business and Economics Library) you have the possibility to use research stations on site with SLSKey Basel.

    Services available are:

    • Library catalogues
    • E-media released by providers for public use in the University of Basel network
    • Internet access
    • Various PC programs (open source)
    • Download on your USB stick
    • Printing (after saving the document in PDF format on the USB stick)

     

    How do you get access to SLSKey Basel?

    You need a switch edu-ID and are registered with swisscovery. Are you not yet registered? Create a swisscovery account here.

    Terms of use:

    • You are registered with swisscovery (see above) and have a user card valid at the University Library Basel.
    • You have to register once at the Infodesk of the University Main Library, University Medical Library or University Business and Economics Library.
    • You present a valid identity card (ID, passport, driver's licence, Swisspass).
    • You accept the terms of use for SLSKey Basel.
    • After one year from activation, access must be renewed on site.

    The Kooperative Speicherbibliothek Schweiz in Büron (Lucerne) is an institution jointly supported by large Swiss libraries for the purposes of storing and conserving holdings under ideal conditions.  

    The University Library Basel has stored approximately 9000 linear metres of journal volumes in the Kooperative Speicherbibliothek. These items may not be borrowed. You may order scans (sent by email) or paper copies (sent by post) of articles via swisscovery Basel. As a rule, the documents will be delivered within 1-2 working days.

    Costs for delivery of copieselectronic deliverypostal delivery
    Members of the university and private clientsCHF    5.– per 20 pagesCHF  7.50 per 20 pages
    Company clientsCHF  25.– per 20 pagesCHF 27.50 per 20 pages

    Should you wish to look at a large number of volumes from the collective holdings at the same time, you may consult these on site in the reading room of the Speicherbibliothek. Information in this regard may be found at the Information Desk of the University Main Library.  

    Kooperative Speicherbibliothek

    [Translate to English:] Kooperative Speicherbibliothek Schweiz, Büron

    Kooperative Speicherbibliothek Schweiz, Büron (visualisation)