Lending Desk

• How do I acquire a library card?
• How can I extend the validity of my library card?
• What do I do if I lose my library card?
• How do I borrow media?
• What can I do if the medium is already on loan?
• How long can I keep media?
• Where, when and how can I return items?
• What happens if I fail to return the borrowed items on time?
• What can I do if my account has been disabled?
• What can I do if I have forgotten my password?

The conditions for lending and use are stipulated in the terms of use of the Württembergische Landesbibliothek (Württemberg State Library).

The library fee rules of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Science, Research and Art also apply.

How do I acquire a library card?

You require a library card to request works from the repository and to use the Internet stations. This can be obtained from the Lending Desk on presentation of your valid German ID card or passport together with your confirmation of residence from the registration office. Other documents, such as student ID cards or driving licences cannot be accepted for authorization of use. Minors also require a declaration of consent from a legal guardian.

You can also print out the online registration form (pdf) and present it in person on registering.

A fee is charged for using the library. The fee is €30 for an annual card and is payable on receipt of the library card. The following persons are exempt from the fee: those in education (schoolchildren, students, trainees) and minors, as well as institutions of the State of Baden-Württemberg and their employees using the library in the course of their work. Persons performing national service (civilian or military) or voluntary service, unemployed persons and those receiving social welfare benefit pay €15 for an annual card. Please present corresponding documentary evidence when registering.
For further information, please refer to the library fee rules (Bibliotheksgebührenverordnung).

The first time you log into your lending account, you must enter a new password using the "Passwort ändern" (change password) function.

Using the e-mail functions, you can enter your e-mail address so that we can inform you promptly of the arrival of works that you have reserved or requested via interlibrary loan. You will also receive a reminder by e-mail before the loan period expires.

This notwithstanding, we would ask you to inform us promptly of any change of address so that we can contact you in writing if necessary.

How can I extend the validity of my library card?

You can extend the validity of your library card at the Service Desk in the lending area on payment of the usage fee. If you are still eligible for the reduced fee or exemption from paying the fee, please produce documentary evidence to this effect once again.

The first time you extend the validity we will require a written extension application. This can also be printed out -  Online extension application (pdf) - and presented at the Service Desk.

What do I do if I lose my library card?

Loss of the library card must be reported at once, by e-mail, fax, telephone or in person, in order to disable your account and protect it against misuse; you may be held liable for any damage resulting from the loss.

We charge €5 for issuing a replacement library card.

How do I borrow media?

The WLB houses approx. 5.3 million media items which - with the exception of the non-lending collections - are kept in closed repositories and must be requested by computer.

To do so, first find out the call number, i.e. the number indicating the location of the medium, either in the online catalogue of in the DigiKat (digitized alphabetical card index catalogue), depending on the year of publication, and then request it via the lending system.

The system shows you whether the medium

• is available, and when it can be collected from the pick-up area,
• can be reserved, if it is not available, and when it is expected to be ready for collection,
• is held at a specific location (e.g. reading room, reference library information desk) and what its call number is,
• can only be viewed in the reading room.

On Saturdays, ordered books can be collected after approx. 1 hour. Items requested after 12.00 noon will not be made ready for collection until the next opening day.

Items requested from the overflow repository in Fellbach by 10.30 am can be issued on the same day.

You can collect the requested items from the pick-up area where it will be held for you for one week.
Please present your library card when collecting items.

What can I do if the medium is already on loan?

You can reserve a medium that is currently on loan.

As soon as the item is returned, you will be notified by postcard or by e-mail that it is being held for you for one week in the pick-up area.

Reservations can also be cancelled via the lending system.

You will be charged €0.45 postage for the notification postcard.

How long can I keep media?

The loan period is generally four weeks.

When a book is issued to you, you will receive a note specifying the call number and the loan period. You can extend the loan period three times, for an extra four weeks each time, provided that the medium has not been reserved by another user.
Should you still require the item beyond this time, you can present it at the Service Desk in the lending area to borrow it again.

Renewals cannot be made less than 10 days before the due return date.

You can submit your renewal request in writing, by fax or by e-mail (leihstelle@wlb-stuttgart.de), or via our homepage.

Where, when and how can I return items?

You can return your books - without having to wait - at the book return desk in the lending area.
If you wish to receive a book return receipt, please return your books to the Service Desk.

If you are unable to return your books in person, please send them to the following address:

Württembergische Landesbibliothek
Leihstelle
Konrad-Adenauer-Strasse 8
D-70173 Stuttgart

What happens if I fail to return the borrowed items on time?

In this case, you will receive overdue notices for which a fine is charged.

The amount of the fine is determined in accordance with the library fee rules and is currently €1.50 per item for the first overdue notice, €5.00 for the second notice and €10.00 for the third and all subsequent notices.

What can I do if my account has been disabled?

An account can be disabled for one of several reasons:
e.g. a third overdue notice has been issued, your address has proved to be incorrect or there are currently accrued fees payable in excess of €10.

While your account is disabled, no order requests and no renewals are possible.

In all cases, it is advisable to clarify the situation with the staff at the lending desk in order to have the account unlocked.

What can I do if I have forgotten my password?

You can have a new single-use password created and change it via the lending account.

You will receive this single-use password via the lending account (function "Lending > Change password > Forgotten password") if you have saved your e-mail address under e-mail notification.

If you have not entered an e-mail address, you must report in person to the Service desk in the lending area to have your password reset. Please be sure to have your library card and your ID card or passport with you.