Borrowing Policies
Who can apply for a library card?
You need a library card to borrow materials. Here’s how to get one:
Campuscard für FU-Studierende
(Campuscard for FU Students)
For students and doctoral candidates, the Campuscard also serves as a library card. You can use it to borrow materials.
To search for literature, order materials, and use digital resources, log in to Primo with your FU account.
Ausweis für FU-Mitarbeitende
(ID Card for FU Employees)
Employees can create a library card in the My.FU-Portal. This does not apply to library staff.
After about 30 minutes, you can log in to Primo. Your card is ready for use. To borrow items, please bring your ID and a printed copy of your library card with you on your first visit. We will laminate the card for you.
Student employees can use their Campuscard to borrow items. No further steps are necessary.
Library staff members can obtain a library card free of charge by visiting the circulation desk in person.
If you encounter any problems, we’re happy to help – please contact us on-site or at ausleihe@ub.fu-berlin.de
Ausweis für externe Nutzende
(Library Card for External Users)
You can use the University Library and all its locations even if you do not study or work at Freie Universität. The requirement is that you reside in Berlin or Brandenburg. Upon presenting your ID card or passport along with a certificate of residence, you will receive a library card free of charge when you visit a library in person. This card entitles you to use the print collections – either on-site or for borrowing to take home, depending on the location.
This also applies to Charité affiliates, as well as to part-time and guest students at Freie Universität.
Minors under the age of 18 can obtain an application form for a free library card at the circulation desk that needs to be be signed by a parent or guardian.
Visitors who do not reside in Berlin or Brandenburg can apply for a temporary visitor pass. This pass enables the holder to use the digital resources and collections on-site at our University Library locations.
Institutes, government agencies, and companies should request a library card by emailing ausleihe@ub.fu-berlin.de. All necessary documents will be sent to you.
How does borrowing work?
Log in to Primo. There you will see all borrowing information at a glance. Here’s how it generally works:
Depending on the location, the loan period varies between two and four weeks. Renewals are possible provided there are no holds on the item.
You can view the loan periods for individual items in your library account. You will receive a reminder email before the loan period expires.
Items with the status “On-site use only” cannot be borrowed.
Self-service borrowing
You can find media available for self-service borrowing on the shelves in the respective library using the call number. Some of these items can also be ordered via Primo. You are welcome to borrow them and take them with you.
Stacks Ordering
A large portion of the print media at all locations is stored in areas inaccessible to you – so-called closed stacks. You can order or reserve these items via Primo. You are welcome to pick them up, borrow them, and take them with you.
You can view all borrowing information after logging in to the Primo library portal.On-site use
Certain materials – such as valuable old books or printed journals – cannot normally be borrowed to take home. You may read them on-site in the respective library and make copies or scans. In some cases, these materials must be ordered via
For certain user groups (e.g., students and staff at Freie Universität), loan periods are automatically extended. You can also renew items through your library account, by phone, by email, or in person at the library. The due date is displayed in your Primo account.
Renewals are possible for up to a maximum of six months – provided the items have not been reserved by other users.
You can easily borrow items from one library and return them to another. This means that items borrowed from any University Library location can be returned at any location.
Interlibrary loans must be returned to the Central Library (Garystr. 39).
When are fees charged?
Using the library, working in our facilities, borrowing materials, receiving any kind of consultation, and attending training sessions are free of charge.
If you fail to return borrowed materials on time, damage them, or lose them, fees will be charged. A fee is also charged for interlibrary loan requests. The costs in detail:
The late fees are per volume or media item
- for the 1st reminder: €2
- for the 2nd reminder: €5 plus €2 from the first reminder = €7,
- for the 3rd reminder: €10 plus €7 from the first and second reminders = €17.
- Late fees are due upon issuance of the reminder.
After the third unsuccessful reminder, you will receive a notice of assessment. This will cost you an additional €20.
Overdue and interlibrary loan fees can be paid either at the self-service payment machines or by bank transfer.
Locations of the self-service payment machines:
- Garystraße 39 (Central Library, Circulation Desk Area, 1st Floor)
- Iltisstraße 1 (Student Administration)
- Mensa FU II (Otto-von-Simson-Straße entrance)
Bank transfer for overdue and interlibrary loan fees:
Freie Universität Berlin
Deutsche Bank PGK AG
IBAN: DE67 1007 0848 0513 1289 00
Swift Code (BIC): DEUTD
Reference: 011/58 + student ID or library card number - required!
For all other types of fees, such as processing fees or interlibrary loan costs, we will provide you with different reference codes.