How to reserve, borrow and return books

Start by searching for the book's location

The library books are arranged in numerical order (sometimes by letter code) by subject. You must search the library's search service to find the exact location of your book. If you are inside the library, you can use our search computers. This is what it looks like when you find it in the search service:

Each book has a white sticker on the spine with the location printed:

610
.73072
Holland
2010

Start by finding the book's number code (610.73072) via the shelves' ends, and then on the white sticker on the books. Once you have found the correct number location, the books are in alphabetical order (Holland) and finally in order by year (2010).

Borrow the book in a lending machine

Loan machines are located on both floors of the library. Start by logging in to the machine with your Västkort or personal identification number, and PIN code (can be changed via My Account). Scan the book by placing it on the table. Make sure the title of the book appears on the screen. Finish and choose whether you want to receive a receipt for the loan.

Read more about loan periods, reloans and loan rules

Material that is marked as reference literature and journals cannot be borrowed or taken out of the library.

Reserve books from home or in the library

It is possible to reserve books that are on the shelf or on loan. Reserve by searching for the book in our search service and then click the button Place a Hold. Log in to verify who you are, note which queue position you have and then you can Confirm reservation to place the order.

You will receive an email when the book has been picked up and placed on the waiting shelf for you.

NOTE! Reservations are picked up once a day. If you arrive before this time to pick up the book, it may still be on the shelf. A book that is still on the shelf can be borrowed by another person.

How to collect reserved books

Reserved books can be picked up on the on-hold shelf next to the lending machine.

Books that have been ordered as interlibrary loans from other libraries can be picked up at our information desk.

You can have another person pick up your ordered book

As a distance student, you can have the book sent to your home

Scan the book to return it

When the library is open, return the books in the loan machine. Select the Return option on the screen, and then scan the book by placing it on the table. Make sure the title of the book appears on the screen.

When the library is closed, there are two available boxes for returns

1. In the return boxes on the 2nd floor outside the library entrance. These boxes are available when the doors to the University are open or if you enter with your Västkort.
2. Outdoors in the black return box at the university's main entrance (outside the Service Center).

The book will not disappear from your library account until the next day when we have reopened the library.

Return by post

If you are not close to Trollhättan, you can send the book to us by mail to the address

University West Library
46186 Trollhättan

We will open and return the book when the library is open and the parcel has arrived.