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Interlibrary loans
Setting up an interlibrary loan account
You can set up an interlibrary loan account when you first register to use the service. It is also possible to do this at a later date. Registration takes place directly in the Local library or online. A valid ULB library card is required.
Should your personal details change, they must be updated by the staff at the Local library be adjusted in the interlibrary loan account.
You will need the user number on the back of your library card (also known as a USC or staff card) and the default password, which is your date of birth in the DDMMYY format.
Set up or top up your interlibrary loan account.
Set up or top up your interlibrary loan account.
Topping up an interlibrary loan account
To place an order, order units must be credited to your account. One order unit is equivalent to €1.50 (see. Schedule of Fees for Academic Libraries in the State of Saxony-Anhalt).
Payment can be made at the payment machines. An invoice is always issued for amounts of €25.00 or more. University staff may transfer funds from their operational budgets to cover these costs.
Refunds for unused interlibrary loan fees are not available.
Please note: In addition to the order fee, further costs may apply in certain cases, particularly if a copy order comprises more than 20 pages.
Set up or top up your interlibrary loan account.
Set up or top up your interlibrary loan account.
The role of interlibrary loans within Germany
To do this, you must first, in the GVK can be searched. It is recommended that you log in using your interlibrary loan ID when you start.
To order a title, you must select the ‘Interlibrary Loan’ or ‘Copy Request’ function (top right of the function bar). If you have not yet logged in, you will now be prompted to enter your username and password.
Please check the details of the title, complete the details of the essay and your personal details in the form displayed. Entering your password again will confirm your order. Please log out of the database once you have completed the process.
If the desired title is not listed in the GBV databases, the user is redirected to the inter-consortium portal, where they can then place an order.
Via the menu option ‘Interlibrary Loan Account’ → ‘Orders’, you can check the processing status of your interlibrary loan requests at any time.
Once the requested items have arrived at the ULB, you will receive an email notification as soon as the item is ready for collection from the ULB’s local lending desk. University staff can have their loan requests sent to their chosen branch library by using the delivery service.
You can receive the articles you have ordered as a file. To do so, please enter the email address associated with your library account during the ordering process. You will receive a download link via which the file will be available for 30 days.
The role of an international interlibrary loan service
If a title is not available in Germany, it is possible to order it from a library abroad. Please complete the form for requesting an international interlibrary loan and send the signed form to the team Interlibrary loans and document delivery. The cost of an international interlibrary loan is set by the lending library.
Pilot phase: partial copying from e-books
Since 10 May 2022, it has been possible to order articles from e-books via the GVK using the online interlibrary loan service. As part of a pilot scheme, some libraries in the GBV (Joint Library Network) are offering the option to order partial copies (chapters) from a selection of their e-book collection. You will then find a „Order a copy“ button on the relevant e-book, which you can use to order the copies via interlibrary loan. Please note that, in accordance with copyright law, copies can only be supplied in paper form.
Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to borrow e-books.
Copyright notice
Documents made available via the interlibrary loan service are intended for non-commercial use in accordance with current copyright law.
Important change: Unlike previously, copies ordered via the interlibrary loan service will no longer be delivered in paper form. In future, you will receive the articles ordered via the interlibrary loan service as electronic files. To receive them in this format, please enter the email address linked to your library account when placing your order. You will receive a download link via which the file will be available for 30 days.
Alternatively, you can also use other document delivery services such as subito e.V. use. Subject to appropriate licence agreements with the publishers, these also allow for electronic delivery.