An annual fee card or a free library card allows visitors to borrow materials from the various UBL library locations, and use in-house library materials.

Visitors not eligible for a free library card, who wish to consult library materials for up to one week only, can buy a day/week pass at the library desk.

Reading room books and other materials in open shelving, all show a 'Locate' button in the catalogue. After having found an open stacks item in the catalogue, click on the 'Locate'-option to see where it can be fetched. Loanable items can also be requested using the catalogue.

All static archives created by Leiden University are kept in the University Library. Visitors seeking to consult only University archives materials at the Reading Room Special Collections, do not need a library card. Please refer to the University Library reception desk when visiting.