FAQs:
Is the library currently open?
The physics library is currently open from Mondays to Fridays, 9:30 am to 6 pm.
Do I need a test or vaccination?
Currently:
We recommend wearing an FFP2 mask in the library. You are still expected to maintain a distance of 1.5 meters and comply with Universität Hamburg’s (excluding UKE) hygiene plan.
How can I request and/or extend a library card?
Library cards for students and staff of Universität Hamburg:
The library card for University students and staff is free and valid for one year. It can be extended at any participating University library. If you do not belong to one of the above groups, contact the State and University Library Carl von Ossietzky.
To obtain a library card, complete this online form.
Obtaining a library card at the reception desk: After filling out your contact details at reception, show us your ID (front and back), your passport, or your registration certificate and your current proof of enrollment or contract.
Obtaining your library card without personal contact: Send a scan and/or photo of your ID (front and back) or your passport and/or registration certificate as well as current proof of enrollment and/or contract to bibliothek"AT"physnet.uni-hamburg.de. The library card will be sent to the address you provided. You can extend your library card via email(bibliothek"AT"physnet.uni-hamburg.de).
Who can help if I have questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact
our librarians Ms. Hilger and Ms. Petersen or our student employees Mr. Hober and Mr. Mahat. They are all happy to help you.
Send us an email(bibliothek"AT"physnet.uni-hamburg.de) anytime if you have questions or just call us during opening hours (Mo-Fr. 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at +49 40 42828-2384.
Current library use regulations
- General hygiene regulations such as hand-washing and coughing and sneezing etiquette apply.
- You must use disinfectant—this will be supplied on site.
- You must observe the 1.5-meter distancing regulation as far as possible.
- You must also observe the University’s (excluding UKE) hygiene plan.
Where is the library?
The library is in the main building of the Department of Physics (Jungiusstraße 9). Use the main entrance and then take the stairs to the left (east wing at the back left corner of the reception area, near the book return). The library is on the first floor.
How do I pay late fees?
You can pay fees for overdue media from Monday through Friday, 9 am–5.30 pm, only by EC or credit card.
(Please note that you can pay State and University Library Carl von Ossietzky fees at their cash machines only).
How can I access e-media?
E-media via VPN / access via library card no. + individual password You can access licensed e-media from home using a valid library card and your own password or special software (VPN client). Find licensed e-media as follows:
E-media / e-books / delivery service Look for digital media (e-books, e-dissertations, e-reference works, databases, Cds, DVDs, etc.) in the Campus Catalogue, on KatalogPlus, in the database information system (DBIS)—an overview of free material licensed for the library system of Universität Hamburg, or the electronic journal library (EZB). All available e-books can be searched for and are linked via the Campus Catalogue and KatalogPlus. If a book is not available as an e-book, send an acquisition request. Students and staff of Universität Hamburg can use the campus delivery service to order articles from magazines and books marked as deliverable in KatalogPlus.
How can I borrow books?
You can borrow books if you have a valid University library card. Books that can be borrowed are marked with an “A” on the spine and stored in the textbook collection on the first floor. Bring the book in question to the front desk at reception. We’ll take care of the rest. We loan books for 4 weeks. You can extend the borrowing period by another 4 weeks up to 3 times either online or via your user account. For an additional 4-week extension, contact us by email(bibliothek"AT"physnet.uni-hamburg.de) or call us during opening hours. Please note that the lending period is extended by 4 weeks starting on the day of the extension, not from the day the initial lending period ended. Overdue media can not be extended.
See all textbooks that the physics library has also licensed for online use.
How can I find a specific book?
To look for books at Universität Hamburg generally, simply search the author and/or a key word from the book’s title or other key words related to the desired content of the desired book in the Campus Catalogue.
To search for specific books or content on the shelves of the physics library, you need to know the location:
every book has a call number on its spine.
These call numbers are assigned in line with the book’s content. The books are organized by call number groups (PACS classification—e.g., 03.65 for quantum physics). Within a call number group, individual books are organized alphabetically by author (or, if there is no author, by title). Find all call number groups in the physics library.
You can view books with the same content, meaning they have the same call number group on their spine, and that are available on the library shelves by using the advanced search in the Campus Catalogue (displayed as a hit list). Choose the fields in the second drop-down box and provide the key search information, e.g.,
[SGN] call number without empty spaces and without special symbols—0365?[SST] special location—18 47?
How can I return books?
You can return books to the return shelf on the first floor of the library. You do not need confirmation from a library staff member that the media have been returned.
To return books, you can use the return box in reception (ground floor) at Jungiusstraße 9.
You can also return books to the return shelf on the ground floor of the State and University Library Carl von Ossietzky.
Too little time between in-person classes and online lectures?
At the library, you can use headphones to attend an online class. You can also talk. Just book a place in the anterior reading room for small groups.
What happens if I miss the due date?
Three days before the due date, you will receive an email reminding you to return or extend the material (“A” for “Ausleihen”, i.e., “borrow”). Remember to update your email address in your user account, if necessary.
Missing return dates |
Fees |
For the first week | EUR 1 |
As of the second week | An additional EUR 2 |
As of the third week | An additional EUR 5 |
As of the fifth week | An additional EUR 10 |
Are there desks in the library?
There are desks for individuals and groups.
Group desks are located on the lower and upper-level floors of the library. There is a separate room with quiet individual desks on the first floor.
Are there lockers?
Yes, there is a coat room with lockers in the reception area. You can use these for free. You need to clear lockers out in the evenings. There are 6 portable lockers in the library rooms that you can use at your desk.
If you wish to bring large objects (e.g., instruments), talk to us.
There are more lockers near the automatic beverage machines on the ground floor. You can use your own lock for these. You can also use these lockers for longer periods of time. At the counter, we temporarily lend locks for these lockers.
Can I bind printed material at the library?
You can do this in the coat room on the first floor of the physics library.
Everything students in the Department of Physics need to create spiral binders is available for free.
How can I access e-books?
Use the Campus Catalogue to view the entire range of print and e-media in the physics library and at Universität Hamburg.
You can find links to the complete texts of online media in the catalog entries. As a rule, you need your library card number and the password for your card.
How does the campus delivery service work?
Students and staff can use the free campus delivery service of Universität Hamburg to have scans of print material from participating universities sent to them. More information
How can I view and extend my current borrowed material?
View borrowed media under your library account in the Campus Catalogue. Register with the number on your library card [library card-(=user-)number)] and your password to access your own area. If you forget your password, you can create a new one.
With this user account, you can change your password anytime and update your mail address (important for receiving reminders about due dates and avoiding late fees!), view your borrowed books, and extend due dates.
You can borrow books for a maximum of 5 months. You can extend loans up to 3 times on your own via the user account. If you want to extent a fourth time, email us directly(bibliothek"AT"physnet.uni-hamburg.de). Please note that the lending period is extended by 4 weeks starting on the day of the extension, not from the day the initial lending period ended. Overdue media can not be extended.
Return books using the return box in reception or the return shelf on the first floor.
I forgot the password for my library account—what now?
When you first receive your library card, the pre-programmed password is the first 3 letters of your last name.
You can create your own individual password in your user account (library account in the Campus Catalogue).
If you forget your password, you can have a new password sent.You can also have us create a new password for you. Contact us by email. (bibliothek"AT"physnet.uni-hamburg.de)