On the campus of Ruhr University Bochum, there are the University Library (UB Bochum) and numerous departmental libraries.
Opening hours and lending regulations vary between the different libraries. Further information can be found on the respective websites.

Besides printed media, the libraries also provide e-resources (books and journals).
You can access e-books and e-journals from inside the university network, e.g. if you are working at a computer situated at the central library. Via a VPN tunnel, you can also access e-media from home.

Sources for your studies can be found in our discovery system, RUB PRIMO Catalog, and in our scientific databases. Have a look at our “Search and Find” overview page to learn more.

If you have installed the browser extension LibKey Nomad licensed texts of e-books and e-journals will be highlighted on many websites (e.g. Google Scholar, PubMed, Wikipedia, online shops of publishing houses and booksellers). In this case, AI supports you in finding „the quickest path“ to these resources.

Our Digital Library Guide helps you find your way around our premises. It can also be accessed from RUB PRIMO Catalog, to show you the location of books. Just click the button “Locate” found at the bottom of discovery entries.

To borrow printed books from the central library, you need the RUB Bib App, to use our checkout machines. You can return books at our return machines. All essential information regarding lending can be found here. Lending options at the departmental libraries differ; you can find them on the respective websites.

You will also need the RUB Bib App to access the University Library in the evenings and on weekends.

In case a book is not in its place although no one has borrowed it, you can report it missing at the Information/Service desk or via this form. We will look into the matter, as quickly as possible.
If you can’t find books you need in our inventory, you can try an interlibrary loan. We also appreciate acquisition proposals.

The University Library offers numerous, freely accessible study spaces. We also have different group study rooms, which you can book for use from 8 am to 6 pm during weekdays and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays.

If you are planning bigger writing projects, our long-term lockers might be useful.

For reasons of sustainability, among other things, the library does not have copying machines. Instead, we offer scanners and mobile scanning tents. Best always bring a USB stick, when you are visiting the library.

It  s important to us that all users profit from our services and resources.

Our Team „Library Accessibility“ is happy to support you.

Our study areas are equipped with different height-adjustable tables. Additionally, we have special equipment for visually impaired persons. Among other things, you can book our special computer terminal that offers magnification and a reading function.

Regularly, we offer tours of the library, courses and coaching regarding literature research, citation software and many other topics. Feel free to have a look at our course calendar!

Numerous faculties of our university have made introduction to the library part of their curriculum – maybe, we’ll meet you, then!

We are there to help you with all your questions – drop by the Information/Service desk during our service hours. We are looking forward to meeting you!

For specific questions pertaining to the subjects you are reading, you can also contact our subject librarians.

In the evenings and on weekends, you require the RUB Bib App and the barcode it provides to enter the library. The barcode will be scanned at the entrance.
This applies to the following times:

• during weekdays from 6.30 pm
• on Saturdays from 4.30 pm
• on Sundays from 10 am

The library is an important place of study for our visitors. Focussing on studying is only possible, if everyone is mindful of others. Everyone wants to find clean work spaces.
Therefore, please note:

• on level 0 of the library, eating snacks is permitted
• on levels 1 through 5 please only bring water
• please only take water into the group study rooms, regardless of which level they are situated on

We ask you not to write into our books, so that as many people as possible may use them. Please also remove sticky notes before returning books.