Information due to the coronavirus
The library's services are affected and adapted due to COVID-19, regarding opening hours and reservations among other things. Read more:
Information for students, faculty and staff regarding COVID-19. (Updated: 31 March 2020)
The library's services are affected and adapted due to COVID-19, regarding opening hours and reservations among other things. Read more:
Books are borrowed via our self-service machines. Use your Umu card/library card, Umu ID or social security number. The four-digit PIN number you have chosen must always be entered.
Students and University employees
For students and Umeå University employees the Umu card is used as the library card. The card entitles you to check out materials from the University Library, the Medical Library and UB Arts Campus.
General public
To be able to borrow printed books and other materials, it is necessary to have a library account. A library card will be issued to those who are 18 years or older. Fill out the registration form and bring a photo identification to one of our information desks to receive your library card. The library card entitles you to check out materials from the University Library, the Medical Library and UB Arts Campus.
Textbooks: 14 days
Other literature: 30 days
Interlibrary loans: The loan period for interlibrary loans is generally one year but can be cut short if the lending library needs the book back for any reason.
Books with no hold requests will automatically be renewed 2 days before the due date. By signing in to the Library Search Tool you will be able to see your current loans, their due dates and renew loans by yourself. Select My Account to find this information.
My account in the library search tool
Return your loans in our return units in the University Library (UB), in the return shelf at the Medical Library (MB) or via the self-service machine at UB Arts Campus. A receipt is issued on return.
When the Library is closed you may return your books in book drops located at:
Can I send back books by mail?
Books can be returned by mail to the University Library, the Medical Library or the UB Arts Campus. You are responsible for the loan until the book has arrived at the library and the loan has been deregistered.
If the loan period expires, you will be suspended from checking out new books until the overdue items are returned. For textbooks, you will also be suspended an additional 6 weeks after their return. You may still renew current loans.
If you receive an invoice for books before you return them, you will still need to pay an administrative fee for each book.
Lost and damaged books
You are required to pay repair or replacement costs. Never try to tape or glue a damaged book yourself! The Library Bindery is responsible for all repairs.
Marginal notes and underlining in books are considered as damage.
With the library search tool you are able to search among books, articles and journals. The results screen will tell you the location, call number, and whether or not the book is available on the shelf. It is possible for you to make a reservation if the book is unavailable.
Textbooks
The Library textbook collection holds required textbooks for programmes and courses at Umeå University. There is at least one copy available for check out and one reference copy for reading in the Library. Some textbooks are also available electronically.
Electronic material
Students and University employees can access our electronic material with their Umu-id. If you do not have a Umu ID, you can use one of the library computers for access.
Articles and journals
To search for articles within a specific subject area, click Articles and Databases and then select a suitable database for your subject. If you would like to go directly to a specific journal, search for its title via Journals.
Articles, databases and journals
Students and University employees log in to the library computers via their Umu ID from the icon Other user. If you are not a student or employee you select the icon Guest.
The library computers provide access to:
Students and University employees may also bring their own laptops and connect to our wireless network.
Printing, scanning and computers
It is possible to print, copy and scan at the University Library and Medical Library. If you are a student at Umeå University you use your Umu card.
If you do not have an Umu card, it is possible to scan as well as print from a public computer in the Library. You can pick up and pay for the printed copies at the Info desk.
At the Arts Campus Library it is only possible to scan.
Printing, scanning and computers
At the University Library and the Medical Library there are many reading areas available for individual study as well as group study. We offer:
Group study rooms
At the University Library, the Medical Library and at Universum there are group study rooms available to book.
The Academic Research Centre (ARC)
The Academic Resource Centre offers support in the following areas:
The ARC web pages provide tips and current schedule.
Support for reading and writing
Students who have reading and writing difficulties are entitled to have their textbooks audio recorded and have access to assistive software and technology provided by the University. The University Library can offer you access to a computer room with assistive software. At the Medical Library a laptop with the same programs is available.
Talking books are borrowed in Legimus. The resource room staff will help you with getting started and finding your textbooks.