Loan Services
Borrowing on site
Our branch libraries offer a wide selection of openly accessible media, arranged by subject according to the TUM classification system. You are welcome to browse the shelves and discover literature relevant to your field of interest.
Many items can be borrowed directly on site: simply take them from the shelf and bring them to the circulation desk. Especially in our textbook collections, we provide multiple copies of titles for loan. Reference collection items that are not available for borrowing are marked with yellow stickers.
Library Card & Library Account
To request and borrow literature via the TUM OPAC, you need a library account. Active TUM members receive this automatically at the start of their studies or employment at TUM. Your TUM StudentCard, PersonalCard, or GuestCard serves as your library card. External users and TUM alumni can apply for a library card free of charge.
Ordering
The online catalog TUM OPAC provides access to the entire TUM University Library collection. Available items can either be read online or requested for loan. We deliver the order to the branch library of your choice, where you can pick it up. This service is free of charge.
Choosing and Changing the Pickup Location
At the end of the ordering process in the TUM OPAC, you can select your preferred pickup location. The pull-down menu lists all available options for the selected item.
No requests within the same branch library
Requests are only possible for items from other branch libraries or from the library's closed stacks. If an item is located in your preferred branch library, you can take it directly from the shelf and borrow it on-site.
Changing the Pickup Location
It is not possible to change the pickup location after placing a request. Once an item has been requested, our library system initiates the delivery process. However, you can cancel the request in your library account and place a new request. If the item is already in transit, availability may be delayed.
Delivery and Pickup Deadlines
How quickly an item is ready for pickup depends on its location and your requested pickup location. The day of the week and the time at which you place your request are also decisive factors. As a rule, requested literature is available for pickup within 1 – 3 days. Requests to or from the Branch Library Straubing can only be picked up after 5 days. As soon as your request is ready for pickup, you will receive an email notification. You then have 10 days to collect your item.
Extending the Pickup Deadline
The 10-day pickup deadline cannot be extended. Items that are not collected will be checked back in and made available for request again in the TUM OPAC.
Loan Periods
Each item is subject to specific loan periods and renewal options:
| Material Type | Loan Periods | Automatic Renewals |
| Loan collection | 4 weeks | Up to 5 times for 4 weeks at a time |
| Textbook collection | 4 weeks | Up to 5 times for 4 weeks at a time |
| Journals | 4 weeks | No renewals |
Keep Track of Return Deadlines:
- You can check all current due dates and renewal options in your library account.
- You will receive automated email notifications with borrowing and return receipts, as well as return reminders.
Please note: Automatic renewals are only possible as long as your library account is not blocked and there are no account blocks or reservations by other library users.
Reserving
You can reserve items that are already checked out by another library user for free via the TUM OPAC. If the availability display indicates that the title is currently borrowed, please click the “Place a Hold” button to request a pre-order. In your TUM OPAC library account, you can view your current position in the queue under “Requested Items”. As soon as the title is ready for pickup, you will be notified by email.
Returning
For returning items, we offer the following options:
Return in a Branch Library
Books and other library items may be returned at any of our nine branch libraries – regardless of the original check-out location. Returns are possible throughout the entire opening hours. The return transport of items to their original location is free for you.
Return by Mail
You may also return borrowed items by mail. Please make sure that:
- Your parcel is securely packaged and sufficiently stamped.
- You only ship from an EU member state due to customs regulations.
- You enclose a letter stating your full name, address, and library number or TUM ID.
Please use the following addresses for mailing:
TUM Universitätsbibliothek
Buchrückgabe
Arcisstraße 21
80333 München
Disclaimer
Please note that the University Library does not accept responsibility for any damage or loss occurring during shipment. Please remember that the books remain your responsibility until they are delivered and checked in. Allow sufficient time for return by mail to avoid overdue fines.
Media Reclaim Procedure
If, for any reason, you are unable to return items on time, we are legally obligated to initiate a media reclaim subject to a fee and to suspend your borrowing rights temporarily. The amount is determined by law ("Bayerischen Kostengesetz").
Please contact us immediately after receiving a reclaim request and return the library items without delay. Otherwise, you risk receiving further reclaim notices, which will increase your costs.
Please note:
We send return reminders and fee-based media reclaims to the email address you have provided us or the one specified in TUMonline. Due to technical circumstances, we cannot guarantee the timely receipt of these emails. We therefore recommend checking your library account regularly.
Media Reclaim Procedure for TUM Staff
If you are a TUM staff member and happen to miss a return deadline, we will issue a return notice free of charge. To avoid subsequent costs for your school or department, please return the books to one of our branch libraries within the next few days.
If items are not returned even after a recall, we will initiate the replacement of the literature. The resulting costs will be charged to your school or department.
Renewals
Your loan periods are extended automatically. You do not need to take any action yourself. At the end of each loan period, our library system renews it for a further four weeks – provided there is no reservation by another user, and your library account is not blocked.
Tip: You can check all current loans and binding due dates in your library account.
Number of Renewals
Depending on the material type of the item, a different number of renewals of four weeks each is possible:
| Material Type | Loan Period | Renewals | Total Loan Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loan Collection | 4 weeks | Up to 5 | Up to 6 months |
| Textbook Collection | 4 weeks | Up to 5 | Up to 6 months |
| Journals | 2 weeks | No renewals | Up to 2 weeks |
Please note: Automatic renewals are only possible as long as your library account is not blocked and there are no account blocks or reservations by other library users. You can check all current loans and binding due dates in your library account.
FAQ
Which Items Are Available for Loan – and Which Are Not?
Our literature collection comprises various types of holdings, each subject to different borrowing regulations:
| Material Type | Labeling | Borrowing Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Open stacks in the branch libraries | White label | Available for borrowing |
| Closed stacks | White label | Available for borrowing, order in TUM OPAC |
| Textbook collection | White label | Available for borrowing |
| Reference collection | addintional yellow label | Not available for borrowing |
| Journal volumes | White label | Partially available for loan |
| Journal issues | Not available for borrowing | |
| Reference collections at TUM chairs ("Handapparate") | Not available for borrowing | |
| Literature in acquisition process | Not available for borrowing yet | |
| Literature published before 1900 | Reading room use only |
Please note: Borrowing privileges may be suspended temporarily if due dates have expired. In this case, your library account will be blocked, and ordering, reservations, renewals, and borrowing will no longer be possible.
How Many Items Can I Borrow?
You can borrow up to 50 items.
TUM staff have a borrowing limit of 100 items.
Why Can’t I Request an Item?
There are various reasons why you may not be able to request an item via the TUM OPAC. In some cases, this depends on the material type; in others, on its location or the age of the literature.
| Common reasons | What You Can Do |
|---|---|
| Your library account Is blocked. | If you are temporarily excluded from borrowing – for example, because you have exceeded loan periods or have outstanding fees – you cannot borrow, reserve, or request items. Please return any overdue items and pay the outstanding fees. Our public services team can then unblock your library account. |
| The item is not a physical book. | If the item is an e-book or e-journal, you can read it online directly – provided you are an active TUM member. External users can access our electronic media at the library computers in the branch libraries. |
| The item is openly accessible in the selected branch library. | You can borrow the item directly on site. Please visit the relevant branch library, take the book from the shelf, and have it checked out at the circulation desk. |
| The Item belongs to the reference collection. | As the item is excluded from borrowing, it cannot be requested via the TUM OPAC. However, you can consult it on site in the branch library. |
| The item is still in the acquisition process. | The OPAC may list items that we have already ordered from booksellers but that have not yet arrived. Once they have been delivered by the publisher, they will be available for requesting and borrowing. |
| The item belongs to a reference collections at TUM chairs ("Handapparat") | As a rule, this type of literature is not accessible. In urgent cases, please contact our First Level Hotline. Our team will be happy to assist you. |
| The item was published before 1900. | For conservation reasons, older literature cannot be transported between branch libraries. However, you can request the item for use in the reading room of the relevant branch library and consult it on site under certain conditions. |
What Happens If I Damage or Lose an Item?
In the event of loss or damage to borrowed books or accompanying materials, you are obliged to compensate for the damage. Please complete a loss or damage report immediately. This will save you from a media reclaim procedure and a possible temporarily suspension of your borrowing privileges. Please submit the completed form to the library staff at the branch libraries.You can find information on possible fees in the cost index.
If you have any questions, our Media Reclaim team will assist you:
media.reclaim@ub.tum.de