Library Rules for the Gothenburg University Library

Gothenburg University Library is open to everyone. To access the Library services, you need a GU card or a library card.

As a user of Gothenburg University Library services, you need to follow the Library rules. When you order a GU card or apply for a library card, you commit to comply with the Library rules.

Library card

Both library cards issued by the University library and GU cards may be used as a library card.

The library card is a valuable document. If you lose your library card, report it to the University Library. If you are a student or employee at the University of Gothenburg and have lost your GU card, please report it to the Student Portal, Employee Portal or Service Centre.

You are required to keep your contact details up to date. You can do this in the My Loans service on the Library website or by contacting the Library.

Your contact details may be used for Library user surveys. Please contact us if you do not want your details used.

To obtain a library card, you should be at least 15 years old and meet one of the following criteria:

• 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.

Library cards are issued when visiting one of our libraries in person. During the visit, you will need to provide valid proof of identity.

If you are a distance student at GU without a GU card, you will need to contact the Library and provide your address and course code in order to receive a library card.

Borrowing

You are personally responsible for your loans and obligated to respect the stated loan period. Books and other material shall be returned in the same condition as when they were taken out.

The loan period varies for different types of material. The loan period is shown on the receipt you receive in connection with the loan or in My Loans.

Interlibrary loans

In addition to the collections of the University Library, material can be borrowed from libraries outside Gothenburg Municipality. The loan terms and conditions of the lending library apply for interlibrary loans.

Overdue fines for textbooks

If you do not return a textbook by the end of the loan period, you will be required to pay a overdue fine of SEK 10.00 per book per day. Maximum fine: SEK 140.00/book. If you have outstanding fines totalling SEK 70.00 or more, your library card will be blocked from any further borrowing. Once the books are returned and the overdue fine is paid, your borrowing privileges will be restored.

Lost or damaged material

The replacement fee of lost material is a fixed sum of SEK 600.00. This amount is automatically shown in My Loans when a loan is more than 14 days late. If you find the material and return it, the replacement fee will be cancelled. Please note that replacement fees already paid will not be refunded, even if you find and return the material in question later.

If the material you have borrowed has been damaged, you are also liable to pay the replacement fee of SEK 600.00, as well as any overdue fines. The Library is responsible for the purchase of damaged or lost material replacements and any repairs necessary. Damaged material, for which you have paid the replacement fee, still belongs to the University Library.

Use of electronic resources

The electronic resources (e.g. databases, e-journals and e-books) provided by the University Library are intended for studies and research, and must never be used for commercial purposes or in a manner that infringes copyrights. License terms and conditions concerning the use of material and e-books vary depending on the publisher and supplier. You are obligated to comply with the different terms and conditions.

Copying and scanning sensitive material

The Library will decide whether the nature and format of the material permits reproduction, and which form of reproduction should be used, based on a set price list. The Library staff copies and scans sensitive material.

Library computers

Library computers are primarily intended for studies and research at the University of Gothenburg. When using the Library’s computers, you must comply with the IT rules of the University of Gothenburg.

Confidentiality and personal data

For information on a person’s loan, reservation or other type of order, confidentiality applies under chapter 40, section 3 of the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act (SFS 2009:400). In general, the Library processes personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Violation of the rules

If you violate the above-mentioned rules, you may be barred from the right to borrow material and visit the physical library for a set period. This also applies if your behaviour disturbs others or disrupts Library operations.