Can't find it at UBL

If an item is not available at Leiden University Libraries (UBL), you can borrow materials directly from another library, request a book loan or article delivery through interlibrary loan, or suggest items for purchase.

Borrowing at another library

Leiden University students and staff can apply for a library card free of charge at all Dutch university libraries (this does not apply to universities of applied sciences/HBO). The KB, the National Library of the Netherlands, offers a 50% discount to university students.

Please make sure to carry a valid means of ID, and your student's card, if applicable, when visiting the library of your choice to have a library card made.

Using interlibrary loan services (ILL)

Library card holders can use Leiden University Libraries' ILL services, using the WorldCat request options. For our ILL fees, please see the table below.

Articles

Articles and book chapters will be delivered in digital format. As soon as a document is made available, you will be sent an e-mail containing an access link and password. Articles will be available for a 30 day period and may be accessed up to 5 times.

Books

Books requested via ILL can be picked up at the library location specified in your request. Delivery times for ILL within the Netherlands usually range from a week to ten days. You will be notified by e-mail as soon as an item is ready.

For all ILL and regular loans, the UBL circulation policy applies.

International ILL

If a publication is not held by any Dutch library, you may ask the library to try and request it through international ILL. Requests for publications that can be purchased online for a reasonable fee will not be processed.