Circulation
You want to borrow a book from the SUB Göttingen? Beforehand, research our catalogues to obtain information about the location, shelfmark and loan status of the book you wish to borrow.
The majority of our holdings can be borrowed. Freely accessible media take directly from the shelves in the reading rooms. There are also media available for loan in the closed stacks area, which you need to order via the catalogue (GöDiscovery or Göttingen University Catalogue (GUK)).
Part of our holdings are available for use on the premises only. This includes, for example, loose-leaf collections, large-format or fragile media and historic collections.
Searching Books
Reference collection
You are looking for the item you want in the catalogue. In the detailed view in the catalogue, you can see where your book is available. The shelfmark indicates the shelf on which you can find the book. Many books are shelved ‘freely’ in the reference collection. In this case, take the book from the shelf in the reading rooms yourself.
Closed stacks
If the title is marked ‘Order’, it is not freely accessible in the reading room. Then you have to order the title in the catalogue. Select one of the locations listed.
Reservation
If the desired title is on loan, you can place a hold on it. The collection status is displayed in your library account. You will also receive an email as soon as the reserved item is ready for you.
Getting Books
Status
The loan status shows you whether you can borrow the book and take it home with you (loan stock) or whether you can only consult it on the library premises (reference stock).
Shelfmark
You can use the shelfmark to find the desired book at the location and take it from the shelf. Please note that each location has a different shelf layout and therefore a specific location shelfmark.
Requests from the stacks
The requesting process usually takes one working day. The book requested is available for one week as soon as the issue location is displayed under ‘Status’ in your library account. Please specify the collection location when placing your order. The self-pickup area in the Central Library is located at the counter. With your library card and the corresponding password, you can borrow the items from the self-checkout machines.
Returning Books
Loan period
The loan period is usually 28 days for monographs (books) and 7 days for bound journals. To avoid overdue fines, please return your item on time.
Returning items
Borrowed media can be returned at the self-checkout machines at most locations. At locations without such machines, please go to the service desks. Please have a return receipt printed out or handed to you after each return, check it immediately and keep it in a safe place.
Renewal
You have the option of extending the loan period of the title up to eleven times via your library account, provided that no other user has placed a prior order.
Overdue fines
The overdue fines are based on the fee schedule of the state of Lower Saxony.
They amount to
- 2.00 Euro per medium for the 1st reminder,
- 5.00 Euro per medium for the 2nd reminder,
- 10.00 Euro per medium for the 3rd reminder.
Reminder fees are already due when the reminder letter is issued, regardless of when it reaches you. The 1st reminder is followed by a 2nd or 3rd reminder after seven days in each case. You will receive the 1st and 2nd reminders by email. The 3rd reminder will be sent to you by post.
Please pay your reminder fees at our self-service checkouts or alternatively use the bank details of the SUB Göttingen. Please state your library number and ‘Mahngebühren’ (reminder fees) as the reason for payment.
Norddeutsche Landesbank Hannover
Account holder: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
IBAN: DE49250500000106032725
SWIFT: NOLADE2HXXX
Please note that it may take several days for the amount to reach us and for your outstanding receivables to be cleared. The loan account is automatically blocked from EUR 10.00 or more, including for renewals.
Loss or damage
If a work you have borrowed is lost or damaged, you must pay full compensation, even if you are not at fault. In such a case, please fill out a loss/damage report FORM immediately.