Library Services for Students
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From library card and library account to first orientation in the branch libraries and our online services, all the way to targeted preparation for your thesis: We show you how to make the most of the University Library’s resources. Discover our library tours and courses – concise, hands‑on, and tailored to your stage of study.
Library Card & Library Account
Your physical or digital TUM StudentCard serves as your library card. If you are enrolled at TUM, you are automatically authorized to use the library.
You can log in to your library account using your TUM ID and request, borrow or access media online via the TUM OPAC catalog.
Library Tours – First Orientation
Library Tours at the Start of the Semester
New to the university? Start your studies with ease: In our library tours, you will get to know our services, study spaces, and resources in just 30 minutes – helping you find your way around everyday student life quickly and confidently.
Evening Tours
Is your schedule packed? No time during the day? Then our evening tours are just right for you. In a comprehensive one-hour tour, we provide in-depth insights into our services, with plenty of time for individual questions. Evening tours are offered throughout the semester.
LIT Days – Literature, Information, Training
4 Courses, 3 Topics, 2 Days, 1 Goal: Ready for Your Thesis!
In our selected courses, we prepare you thoroughly for academic work during your studies: finding relevant scholarly literature, managing sources effectively, and citing them correctly and confidently.
Attend all courses or choose your focus topic – we provide practical tips that truly make a difference.
The next dates in October will be published here in good time.
Studying in the Branch Libraries
Across our nine branch libraries at TUM locations in Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan, and Straubing, you will find a wide range of study spaces – some available for online booking, all tailored to your individual needs:
- Study desks for focused, quiet work
- Group rooms for collaborative teamwork
- Study carrels for long-term projects
- Webinar carrels for online courses and video calls
- Presentation Lab for practising and rehearsing presentations and talks
How to Bib – For a Friendly Shared Experience
Our branch libraries are popular places to study. We kindly ask you to observe our guidelines for a respectful and friendly atmosphere, especially during examination periods, when the libraries are particularly busy, and our study areas are in high demand.
- Books not burgers: Food consumption is only allowed outside the library. Beverages in resealable containers are permitted in the library.
- Be fair, don‘t block: Reserving for others and study breaks longer than 60 minutes are not allowed. If you leave your study desk, please use the clock disc.
- Clarity not confusion: Please do not move chairs and tables around. Every library user deserves a complete study desk. Please use our lockers for coats and bags.
- Consideration not clamour: In general, our branch libraries are not appropriate places for phone or video calls or conversations. Collaborative learning is best done in a group room, and webinar carrels are available for planned video calls.
- Together we‘re better: Studying is more effective in an atmosphere of respectful cooperation and adherence to rules.
Clock Discs for Break Times
Using a clock disc at your study desk or in a study room indicates that the currently unoccupied space is already taken. With the break disc, you may reserve your space temporarily for up to 60 minutes. Break discs are available in collection boxes in all branch libraries. When leaving the library, please return them at the exit.
Please note:
- Your break may last no longer than 60 minutes. If you exceed the permitted break time, other users are allowed to move your belongings aside and use the space.
- Study spaces and rooms without a break disc may be reassigned at any time.
- The University Library assumes no liability for unattended personal belongings.
Media
The University Library offers a collection of more than 2.3 million printed and digital resources, including 2,700 databases, 150,000 e-journals, 290,000 e-books, and 100,000 textbooks.
Online Catalog TUM OPAC
Our online catalog TUM OPAC brings all resources together in one place. You can request, borrow, or access online not only TUM holdings but also millions of items from other academic libraries. Materials that are not available at TUM can be ordered via interlibrary loan.
Access to E‑Media
Most electronic resources are restricted by paywalls. Using your TUM ID and the services eAccess or Shibboleth, active TUM members can bypass these restrictions and access e-media free of charge, 24/7 – whether on campus, at home, or on the go.
Reference Management
For your seminar papers and theses, we recommend using reference management software to efficiently organise literature and sources, cite directly in Word, and create bibliographies.
We offer courses and consultation sessions with support for Citavi, EndNote, and Zotero.
Citing Correctly – No Problem!
In addition to the standard reference, the TUM Citation Guide, we offer courses and consultation sessions for further support.
Key Skills
Strengthen your academic competence and follow the principles of good scientific practice. Our courses support you in developing your academic skills.
Search Literature
Managing Literature & Data
Citing correctly
E-Learning
Our course content is also available as e-learning materials for independent learning and self-study. Video tutorials, Moodle courses, scripts, and checklists can be accessed at any time, regardless of location – for example, tutorials on our YouTube channel or Moodle courses with e-tests and certificates of participation.
Support
If you have any questions about our services, our First Level Hotline is happy to assist you. Please feel free to contact us:
Live chat with our team
+49 89 189 659 220
information@ub.tum.de
For individual inquiries, you can book a personal consultation.
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