Regulations Ghent University library

These regulations apply to the entire network of the Ghent University libraries. Faculty libraries may deviate from the general rule with regard to the borrowing of publications (numbers and terms) by means of a formalized library specific regulation but are bound to respect the other regulations of the Ghent University library regulations.

5 Key elements

Rule 1

Everyone has free access to all libraries within the network. The infrastructure and collections are at everyone's disposal and are to be treated with respect. The library accepts no liability for damage to or theft of personal belongings of the reader. Those who disrupt the well-functioning of the library will be asked to leave the premises.

Rule 2

Everyone who wishes to reserve and/or borrow a library item needs to be registered as a visitor. For those who have a UGent identification card reserving and/or borrowing a library item is free. Other visitors can register for 10 euros a year or 5 euros a week. Collections that can not be borrowed need to be consulted in loco.

Rule 3

The library card is strictly personal. The cardholder is responsible for the publications registered on his/her name. There's a maximum of 10 publications to be borrowed for a term of maximum 4 weeks. If no reservations are made for the publication in question the reader can renew its reservation 3 times.

Rule 4

When a publication is not available in the collection the registered visitor can apply for a copy or copied example from a different library by means of an interlibrary loan. The fee for regular readers is 10 euro, for students 5 euro. The service is free for UGent staff and students if the supplying library resides within the university.

Rule 5

The librarian decides upon everything that is not covered by these 5 key elements, the general regulations or the specific regulations of the faculty libraries.

Faculty exceptions

  • Faculty of Arts and Philosophy: the standard borrowing term for staff is 6 months instead of 4 weeks.
  • Faculty of Political and social sciences: the standard borrowing term for staff is extended to 8 weeks instead of 4. The maximum number of loans for all patrons is limited to 10 books for the entire faculty.
  • Faculty of Law and Criminology: borrowing by students is limited to just 3 days (except for the books on criminology - shelf numbers RBIB.CRI - which can be loaned for 4 weeks). Staff can borrow all RBIB books for a period of 4 weeks.