Can't find what you're looking for?
Students and staff can order material that we do not have in the library's own collections. The library decides if the book will be borrowed or purchased.
During the summer, orders have longer processing times. Article orders and interlibrary book loans are closed from June 28th to August 4th. Incoming orders will be handled from August 5th.
Interlibrary loan
We can borrow books from other libraries on behalf of students, researchers and staff at University West, and students at other universities. If you are not included in these groups, or if you are a distance student at University West, please turn to your local library.
The books you order should be related to your studies or to the teaching and research conducted at the university.
Books that are already available at the library but are currently checked out will not be borrowed. Instead, reserve the book through our search service. Material available at the city libraries in Trollhättan or Vänersborg will not be borrowed.
We cannot borrow entire e-books remotely, but we can order copies of chapters or purchase the e-book. Reference literature and course literature cannot be borrowed as interlibrary loans, but may possibly be purchased. Entire journal issues or student theses cannot be borrowed.
Loan period
Interlibrary loans usually take 3-10 days to be delivered. During holidays, it may take longer, especially if the book is coming from a foreign library.
The loan period for interlibrary loaned books varies and is determined by the lending library. Typically, you have a shorter guaranteed loan period and a longer period during which you can keep the book if no one else requests it.
Interlibrary loaned books are picked up and returned at the university library. This applies to distance students as well. Some interlibrary loans cannot be taken home and must be read at the library. Lost or damaged interlibrary loans are replaced by the borrower.
Renewals
You will receive a reminder for your interlibrary loaned book when the lending library wants it back. Return the loan, or request an extension by emailing us. You will receive a response to your request as soon as we receive confirmation from the lending library.
Purchase suggestion
The library acquires literature and other information resources to support the education, research, and activities conducted at University West and within the NU Hospital Group. Our acquisitions are primarily user-driven, and we continuously evaluate the collections based on usage and relevance.
Anyone with a valid library account can suggest books for purchase.
- Electronic formats are prioritized for acquisition as they provide the greatest accessibility.
- All mandatory course literature is acquired, and we strive to have it available at the start of each course. Course literature that is not available as e-books are purchased in two copies, one of which can be read on-site at the library.
- We actively purchase books for the NU library and the university library special collections related to norm-critique and sustainability.
- We gratefully accept purchase suggestions. Each suggestion undergoes quality and relevance assessment.
- Interlibrary loan requests from students and staff are considered purchase suggestions. The library decides whether the material will be borrowed from another library or purchased.
- If a book is already in our collections, we do not purchase additional copies.
- We gratefully accept book donations related to our subject areas but reserve the right to freely manage donated materials.
A purchase of a printed book takes between 1-3 weeks. Purchased e-books can be accessed within a few days.
Article orders
We order copies of articles from other libraries if you are a student, researcher or employee at University West. Students at other universities should go through the library at their university.
Students will get ordered articles and payment information sent to their home address by post. Staff at University West receive copies via internal mail, or e-mail if it is permitted. Copies of articles are often delivered within 1-5 days.
Costs
Article copies cost SEK 40 for students at University West, and SEK 80 for external students. Payment is made by Swish, card or bank transfer.
How to order?
If the article or book cannot be found in our discovery service or via Google Scholar, you can use the form at the bottom of this page to place an order. The order is binding and cannot be canceled once the library has forwarded your request.
You can also order via our search systems:
Books
In Libris literature that is available in other libraries in Sweden can be found. If you order long-distance loans often, it is convenient to get a borrower account in Libris and order by yourself. In the "loan card number" field, you fill in your social security number.
Articles
In our databases, it is possible to search for articles that we do not have access to. You can order directly in the database by clicking on the link "Order via the library".
For distance learners
Distance students order articles the same way as campus students.
If you are studying remotely, we refer you to your local library for interlibrary loans of books, as all interlibrary loans that we order must be picked up on campus.
As a distance leaner, you can have books from the library sent to your home.