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. You are responsible for everything borrowed on your account. Notify the library if you change your address or phone number.
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 books is normally three weeks.
- If there is a queue for the book, the loan period is reduced to seven days.
- Day loans (reference books) must be returned on the same day.
You will receive reminders via SMS and email when the loan period is about to expire. If there is no one in the queue, you can re-borrow the book via the link in the message.
Reservations
You can only queue for books that are currently on loan (if the book is available on the shelf, it's first come, first served).
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.
See other procedures for distance students
Re-borrowing
You can re-borrow a book up to five times via the library website using your social security number and PIN code. If you want to re-borrow a book a sixth time, you need to bring it to the library's information desk. When you re-borrow a book, you can keep it for another three weeks if there is no queue.
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
All loans must be returned on time. A reminder will be sent by email one week after the due date.
If the books are still not returned three weeks after the due date, a bill will be sent. The cost corresponds to the replacement value, and the same applies to damaged books.
Borrowers who receive a bill or who do not return reserved books on time will be suspended from borrowing until the books are returned or the bill is paid.
For interlibrary loans, the rules of the lending library apply.
Interlibrary loan
If a book is not in the library's collection, you can order it as an interlibrary loan via a form. We do not borrow books we already have, even if they are out on loan.
- Delivery times vary, but take at least a week.
- The loan period is usually at least three weeks, but can vary.
- 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.
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.