GU card and library card
To borrow books and other materials that can be borrowed at the university library, you need a GU card or a library card.
GU card for students and employees
Students and employees at the University of Gothenburg use their GU card to borrow books and other materials from the library. As a student, you can use the GU card as a library card as soon as you pick it up at one of the university's service centers.
By using the GU card you accept the Library's borrowing rules.
Order the GU card in the Student Portal
For employees that have a GU card
When you have picked up a new GU card, you need to contact the library to enable the library function on the card. When you contact us, please tell us your address and the number of the GU card and we will activate the card for you.
The library function on your GU card has another expiration date than the physical card. Log into My loans to see the expiration date for the library function. Contact the library when you want to renew the library function on your GU card.
Library card for everyone
To be able to borrow and request books and other materials that can be borrowed at the university library, you need a library card. With a library card, you can also log in to the library's computers and access our e-resources while at the library.
To be able to borrow from the lending machine, use your library card together with your PIN code.
Anyone over the age of 15 who fulfils one of the following criteria can get a library card. You will need to:
- have a Swedish personal identity number and be able to present a Swedish identification document.
- have a coordination number or equivalent and be able to present valid documentation.
- be newly arrived in Sweden and able to present valid documentation from the Swedish Migration Agency.
- be temporarily resident in Sweden and have a guarantor with a Swedish personal identity number who resides in Sweden.
- have a valid foreign passport in combination with documents proving that you are an employee or student of a Swedish university or other higher education institution.
Pick up the card by visiting one of our libraries in person.
Library card for international Library visitors
If you don't have a Swedish personal identity number, you must submit a certificate to get a library card.
The certificate is called a personal guarantee, and should be completed by you and by a guarantor. The guarantor must be a resident in Sweden and have a Swedish personal identity number.
You get your library card when you visit the Library along with the guarantor. You should both bring identification along with the completed guarantee.
Processing of personal data
When you receive a library card or GU-card, your personal information is registered in the library's patron register. The personal data consists of your name, personal identity number and address. If you have a protected identity, you can enter a different address than your address from the population register.
The University Library processes your personal data according to the General Data Protection Regulation.
Borrowing rules
For a detailed compilation of how to use your library card, please see our rules for the use of Gothenburg University Library.
Contact us about GU card and library card
Contact a library if you need help with your GU card or library card.