How to borrow and request Library books.

Loan rules

In addition to the digital collections, WUR Library has a large collection of printed books and journals. You can borrow most of the print books. Rare and valuable books, reference works, journals and course material are available for reference only.  

• WUR students and staff can borrow books with their WUR card.
• External visitors can borrow books as well but need to create a guest account. 
• Borrowing books is free of charge.  
• You may borrow up to 25 books at one time.  
• You may take and consult the books from the open shelves in Forum Library yourself, and you can borrow them through the self-service machine or at the lending desk.  
• WUR staff can also request books from the open shelves in Forum Library through WUR Library Search. See Request and reserve below. 
• In My Library you can find an overview of your current loans and reservations.
• Borrowed books will be automatically renewed after 28 days. We'll automatically renew the loan period up to 3 times for students and 10 times for employees, unless the book has been reserved. If the book cannot be renewed, you'll get an email with a request to return your library book within seven days.

Locating books and journals

You can use WUR Library Search to locate books and journal volumes. Search by title, author or subject. On the left side of the page, you will find options to refine your results. Choose format “Print book” to show only books and reports. 

The books of the library are located at several places: on the open library shelves (in the library), in the closed stacks and at the Leeuwenborch. After finding the correct library record, click on the title to open the record in the full presentation. Under 'Availability of this Edition at WUR Library', you can see where the book is located.

‘Forum Books’ are located on the open shelves in Forum Library. You can collect these yourself. Write down the call number and go to the corresponding shelf in the Library. Don't forget to check the book out at the self-service or at the lending desk in the Library. 

Books located in the Stacks or at Leeuwenborch have to be requested online. WUR employees can request books located on the open shelves as well.  

Watch the video 'How to get books from the open shelves':  https://youtu.be/M9nxrpbojDI 

Request and reserve

A large part of the collection is located in the closed stacks. Books and journals from the stacks and the Leeuwenborch collection need to be requested through WUR Library Search. You can also reserve books that are out on loan following the steps below. 

• Students and staff can request books and journal volumes from the closed stacks and the Leeuwenborch collection through WUR Library Search.
• In WUR Library Search, search by title, author or subject. On the left side of the page, you can refine your results. Choose format “Print Book” to show only the print books and reports. 
• After finding the correct library record, click on the title to open the record in the full presentation.  
• Click on the blue "Get it!" button, log in, and click on "Request this book".  
• You will be redirected to a request form. Fill in or control all the necessary information. At the bottom of the form, choose the correct pickup location:
  • Wageningen Forum
  • Send to home (staff only)
  • Send to my office (staff only)
• You can then submit the form. 
• Books requested before 14.50 hrs (on working days only) can be picked up the same day in the Forum Library. Publications requested after 14.50 hrs or at the weekend are available on the next working day. 
• You will receive an email when the item is available for collection. 
• Take the book from the reservation shelves in the Forum Library and check it out at the self-service machine or at the lending desk. 
• Requested books remain on the reservation shelves for seven days.  
• Check the opening times of Forum Library before collecting your books. 
• WUR staff who have selected the ‘Send to my office or home’ option will automatically receive the books there. 

How to get a book from the closed stacks: https://youtu.be/b-gbsYNy0AM 

Renewing books

WUR Library will automatically renew your loans, unless: 

• Another user has made a reservation.  
• The item has reached its maximum number of renewals (3 times for students, 10 times for employees). 
• The item is an Inter Library Loan item (e.g. borrowed from another library). 

If renewal is not possible, you'll get an email with a request to return your library book within seven days. Failure to return a requested book will result in an automatic block on your library account. If you do not respond to notices from the Library or do not return a requested book by the due date, you will be charged for a replacement copy and its handling costs. 

Borrowing from another library

If the WUR Library does not have a book or journal article in its collection, you may borrow it from another library through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). For more information, please read this knowledge article.

Questions & support

Do you have questions about this service, or would you like personal support? Feel free to contact us. You can send an email to servicedesk.facilities@wur.nl.