Borrowing books
Local lending
You have found the book that you want on our shelves. How do you take it out of the library?
When you have found the books you want, you can take them to the self-service machines, when available, or to the Library Helpdesk where staff will issue the book to you on the production of your university card.
Who can borrow a book?
The University Library lends different numbers of books to various categories of readers.
The service can be used by all University users and guest users with a Library System Card. Graduates of the University of Padua may continue to borrow materials for up to a maximum of 15 months after getting their degree.
Loans are tied to the individual, therefore, books or other bibliographic materials can only be taken out by someone other than the borrower if they have a proxy statement authorizing them to do so. However, materials can be returned by a different person to the borrower without needing to go through any formal procedures.
How many items can I borrow and how long can I keep them?
The number of items and loan periods vary according to the categories of users.
See the table of local lending conditions
Loan reservation and renewal
Reservation and renewal of books on the loan can be requested at the library's reception desk during opening hours or performed online.
Loan renewal is possible if the loaned book has not already been requested by another user and if the loan period has not expired.
Loan reservation and renewal are also available online: connecting to GalileoDiscovery, through service with authentication "My Library Card". This service also allows you to display a list of your current items on loan and loan history.
Watch the video tutorials on how to reserve a book on the loan (ITA) and how to renew a loan (ITA) on GalileoDiscovery.
The University Library System Helpline is available in case of problems or requests for information.
Loan expiration
It is your responsibility to manage your Library borrowing and either return or renew your items on time. Failure to do so means other Library users are delayed in accessing items they may need urgently. Library sanctions (ITA) are an incentive to encourage responsible borrowing. We help you to avoid sanctions by sending you reminders by email or SMS to let you know if any of your items are due to be returned.
If the book has not already been requested by another user, you will receive a courtesy letter by email or before the due date to allow the renewal. In case it is overdue, you will receive three reminders by SMS or by email.
What cannot be borrowed?
The following items may not be loaned out:
- Manuscripts
- Old and valuable books
- Music sheets and musical scores
- Photos
- Books in poor condition
- Loose-leaf publications
Other types of material may be excluded from lending in specific libraries.
Short night-time and holiday period loans
Some libraries may loan some items at night or when the library is closed. More information is available at each library.
Intra-university lending
The intra-university lending service allows authorized users the delivery of books held in other libraries of the University of Padua Library System.
Further information on the intra-university lending service
Overdue items and sanctions
Books must be returned by the due time or the due date to the Library from which they were borrowed. Overdue books will incur sanctions.
Any borrower who returns a book over 3 days late will be suspended from borrowing for a period equal to the number of days of delay, up to a maximum of 60 days. If a book or journal is not returned due to loss or theft and it can still be purchased, users will have to buy new copies or pay for their equivalent cost.
If it is no longer possible to buy these books or journals, users will have to cover the cost stated by the library.
If a book is returned damaged, the user will have to pay the library for the cost of it to be rebound or restored. If the damage cannot be repaired, the user will have to buy a new copy or pay for the equivalent cost.
If it is no longer possible to buy this book or journal, the user will have to cover the cost stated by the library. For organizational purposes, if a user needs to make a payment due to loss, theft, or damage, they must fill in the appropriate form (ITA) and hand it in to the welcome desk of the library that holds the item.
Digital lending
The digital lending service lets you download and read eBooks on a device (eBook reader, computer, tablet, smartphone) for a limited time.
Ebooks lending conditions depend on the platform and the publisher. Usually, borrowed eBooks are protected by DRM (Digital Rights Management) such as Adobe DRM or Readium LCP.