The freely accessible stocks of the University Library are systematically arranged by subject area on levels 0 to 4 of the library building.

Each individual medium has its own shelfmark. It consists of three letters and a combination of numbers. The first two letters of the shelfmark stand for the subject group; this is the “notation”. The third letter simply indicates the format of the book.

Subject area overview for monographs

Subject area overview for journals

Journals belong to the shelfmark groups beginning with the letter Z and are generally not available for loan. Exception: Z shelfmarks that end with the suffix “-GX” or are marked with a green dot.

*Please note that the signature groups ZM, ZR and ZS will be relocated to the our storage facility in Bochum-Langendreer. More information ...

Bibliographic reference library

FIn most cases, you will find subject-specific reference works directly at the entrance to the stacks area, where the literature on loan for the subject in question is also located. These media cannot be borrowed (reference collection).

Please also note the information on the locations, conditions of use and ordering options for our special collections.