Borrow
Here you will find all the information you need to use the library's services - whether you are a student, distance learner, staff member, or visitor. We explain how borrowing and re-borrowing works, and what applies to interlibrary loans, journals, and talking books.
Library account
To borrow printed books, you need a library account. By obtaining a library account at BTH, you enter into an agreement with the library and agree to comply with the current borrowing terms and conditions. The borrowing terms and conditions may be updated, and it is your responsibility as a borrower to stay informed about any changes.
To obtain a library account, you must be at least 18 years old. The account is personal, and you are responsible for all items borrowed using it. You must also notify the library if your address or telephone number changes. If you wish to block or close your library account, please contact the library.
Borrowing books
Use the self-service stations to borrow printed books.
Reference books (day loans) must also be borrowed from the station before you take them home - even if you are only going to read them in the library.
Loan periods
- The loan period for printed books is normally 21 days.
- For books with a waiting list, the loan period is 7 days.
- Day loans (reference books) and board games must be returned the same day.
- Journals and newspapers are not available for loan.
You will receive reminders via SMS and email when the loan period is about to expire. If no one is waiting for the item, you can renew the book via the link in the message.
You are required to comply with the loan periods and to return or renew materials by the due date. Borrowed materials must be returned in undamaged condition.
Reservations
You can only place a hold on books that are currently on loan (if the book is available on the shelf, it's first come, first served). Only distance students who are resident outside Karlskrona Municipality may reserve books that are available on the shelf.
When the book is returned, you will receive an SMS and an email notification. The reserved book will then be available on the bookshelf to the right of the self-service stations. A reserved book will remain for three working days; after that, the reservation will be removed.
If you no longer wish to be in the queue for a book, you can easily remove your reservation via your library account.
See other procedures for distance students
Re-borrowing
You can renew a book up to five times via the library’s website using your social identity number and PIN code, provided that there is no waiting list for the book. If you wish to renew the book a sixth time, you must bring it to the library's information desk. After renewal, you may keep the book for an additional three weeks.
Interlibrary loans cannot be renewed via the website - contact the library directly to renew.
You cannot re-borrow when:
- There is a queue for the book
- You are suspended from borrowing (for example, due to late returns)
Returning books
Books are returned at the self-service stations. When the library is closed, you can leave books in the book drop outside the library entrance.
Overdue books and requirements
You will receive reminders when your loan period is about to expire. You are responsible for ensuring that your contact information is up to date so that the reminders reach you. If no one is waiting for the book, you can renew your loan using the link provided in the reminder.
Borrowers who do not return books on time will be suspended from borrowing until the books have been returned or replaced. A book that is not returned despite repeated reminders will be considered lost.
Lost or damaged books must be replaced. The borrower must either provide an undamaged replacement copy of the same edition or pay compensation equal to the cost of purchasing a new copy.
If a lost book has been paid for, the compensation will not be refunded if the book is later found and returned.
For interlibrary loans, the borrowing rules of the lending library apply.
Interlibrary loan
Students and staff may request interlibrary loans and article copies for study or research purposes. The Library does not borrow books that are already available in the BTH Library's collections, even if they are currently on loan.
The loan period for interlibrary loans is determined by the lending library's policies. If you wish to renew an interlibrary loan, please contact the BTH Library.
- Delivery times vary, but take at least a week.
- Interlibrary loans are free of charge.
Interlibrary loan and purchase request form (BTH account required)
If you do not have a BTH account, please contact your public library for assistance with interlibrary loan.
Periodicals
Printed journals can be read in the library. They are not lent out, but if you have a BTH account you can copy or scan articles.
If we do not have the journal you are looking for, you can order a copy of the article from another library.
Many journals are also available in full text in our electronic databases, which you can access via BTH's network.
Borrow and read e-books
You can find e-books in Summon. Search for the subject and then select "Book / E-book" as the material type. Then check "full text only".
You can also search directly in one of our e-book databases.
Students and staff at BTH have access to our e-books from their own computer. To access the e-books, you need to search via Summon or the library databases - otherwise the access will not work.
Terms of Use for E-books and Other Electronic Resources
The Library provides electronic resources, including primarily literature databases, e-journals, and e-books, for study and research purposes.
You are required to comply with the licence terms governing the use of the Library’s electronic resources.
Printing and downloading articles from journals and other sources is permitted only for personal, non-commercial use in connection with study or research.
Borrowing and reading talking books
If you have a reading disability, you are entitled to adapted course literature in accessible formats.
Who can get an account? External link, opens in new window.
Book an appointment for an introduction to talking books and we will show you how to search for and download talking books yourself.
You can read talking books with reading programs on your computer or with the Legimus app on your mobile or tablet.
Processing of personal data
Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) is the data controller for the processing of personal data that takes place within the framework of the university library's activities.
BTH processes personal data with great consideration for personal integrity and complies with the provisions of the Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679) and other relevant data protection legislation.
For library activities, confidentiality applies in accordance with Chapter 40, Section 3 of the Public Access and Secrecy Act (2009:400) for information in registers about an individual's loan, reservation or other form of order and for information about an individual's use of information technology.