Borrow & Return

Would you like to borrow items from us or find out about our holdings?
Here you will find all the information you need at a glance.

Borrow

  • You need the free app "RUB Bib" and a valid LoginID to borrow items. A physical library card is no longer issued.

  • You can log in to the app with your LoginID and the corresponding password. You can generate a barcode in the app which is valid for up to 4 hours. If you do not have/want to use a smartphone, you can obtain your barcode at the information/service desk during our service times.

  • As soon as you have your barcode, you can borrow items at our green self-issue machines during the library's opening hours. You can find the locations of the self-issue machines in the Digital library guide. When borrowing items at the self-issue machines, you can decide whether you would like to print out a loan receipt or have it sent to you by e-mail. If we issue items for you at the information/service desk, you will only receive a loan receipt by e-mail.

  • You can view information about loan periods in your library account. Please pay attention to the loan periods of your borrowed items! You will receive a reminder by e-mail 5 days before the due date.

  • Most of the items in the University Library and in the IB and IC joint libraries can be borrowed. In addition to the borrowable stock there is the reference collection. Items in this collection can only be used or scanned on site. Departmental libraries have their own borrowing conditions. They often only allow overnight and weekend loans by prior arrangement.

  • The following items can only be borrowed from the University Library during service hours at the information/service desk:
    • Current editions of legal commentaries
    • Items that have been suggested for acquisition

Return

You can return items you don't need any more in various ways. When you return the items, they will be taken off your library account. Please note the following:

  • The app "RUB Bib" and the LoginID are not required for the return.

  • On the ground floor of the University Library you will find the "Return room" (signposted "Medienrückgabe") with self-return machines for returning items during the library's opening hours. There is also an outside self-return machine on the east side of the University Library. You can find the locations in the digital guidance system under the search term "book return machines". You will receive a return receipt by e-mail.

  • Books that are not accepted by the self-return machine can be returned using the book drop boxes in the return room during the library's opening hours. Please note that these will be taken off your account manually at a later point in time and only then will you receive a return receipt by e-mail. During service hours of the information/service desk they can also be returned there for an immediate removal from your account.

  • Return by post
    If you are unable to return library items during the specified times or have them returned by a person you trust, you can also send them to us by post with the appropriate postage paid:

    Ruhr-Universität Bochum
    Universitätsbibliothek
    Abt. Benutzungsdienste
    z. H. Herrn Althaus/Herrn Krampe
    Universitätsstr. 150
    44801 Bochum