Borrow books

As a registered library user, you can borrow books and other items from Lib4RI or any other SLSP library (list of SLSP libraries). Lib4RI's swisscovery catalogue gives you access to some 30 million books, serials, journals, and other items in the SLSP network.

    • To borrow books and other items through swisscovery (and Lib4RI) you need to register with SLSP using your SWITCH edu-ID. See SLSP's help page / FAQ for user registration platform for details.
    • During the registration process you have the option to enter the number of your existing library ID card (e.g. NEBIS, ZB, etc.). You can also ask for a new library card at our information desks.
    • If you do not yet have a SWITCH edu-ID, you can create one. Members of Eawag, Empa, PSI, and WSL should use their work email address when registering. After creating your edu-ID account don't forget to link your affiliation (via https://eduid.ch). For more information regarding Switch edu-id, please see here.
    • After registering with SLSP, you can use your SWITCH edu-ID account at all SLSP libraries. You do not need a separate account for each library.

  • Most books and other items in the Lib4RI collection are available on the open shelves and can be borrowed. If the book you are interested in is in the collection of your home library (Lib4RI Eawag-Empa, Lib4RI WSL, or Lib4RI PSI), take it from the shelf and check it out at a self-service terminal. You need your library card to do this.

  • If you have found a book in Lib4RI's swisscovery catalogue that is not in the collection of your home library but is available at another SLSP library, follow these steps to request it:

    1. Sign in to your swisscovery account
    2. At «Further request options» under «Request by courier or postal delivery» select the delivery method:
    3. For members of Eawag, Empa, PSI and WSL in Dübendorf, St Gallen, Villigen, Birmensdorf and Davos: select «Delivery to: Library», use «Lib4RI» as the «Pickup Institution» and your corresponding Lib4RI home library as the «Pickup Location», see table below. Please note: Lib4RI does not cover fees for pickup locations other than Lib4RI libraries.
    4. For members of Eawag, Empa, PSI and WSL at other locations: select «Delivery to: Work address» (make sure that your work address is listed in your swisscovery account).
    5. Click «Request»

    For members of Eawag, Empa, PSI, and WSL corresponding fees will be covered by Lib4RI.

    A book ordered from another SLSP library will arrive at your home library in 3 to 5 working days. You will receive an e-mail notification when it arrives.

  • Please contact the Lib4RI InfoServices if you can't select your recommended «Pickup Location».

    Your LocationPickup LocationDelivery / Return

    Eawag (Dübendorf)

    Lib4RI Eawag-Empa *)

    Lib4RI (Dübendorf)

    Eawag (Kastanienbaum)

    Work address **)

    Mail

    Empa (Dübendorf)

    Lib4RI Eawag-Empa *)

    Lib4RI (Dübendorf)

    Empa (St Gallen)

    Lib4RI Eawag-Empa *)

    Mailbox / Reception SG

    Empa (Thun)

    Work address **)

    Mail

    PSI (Villigen)

    Lib4RI PSI *)

    Lib4RI (Villigen)

    SLF (Davos)

    Lib4RI WSL *)

    Mailbox / Blue Box DA

    WSL (Cadenazzo)

    Work address **)

    Mail

    WSL (Birmensdorf)

    Lib4RI WSL *)

    Lib4RI (Birmensdorf)

    WSL (Lausanne)

    EPF-Bib

    EPFL Library

    WSL (Sion)

    Work address **)

    Mail

     

     *) Select «Delivery to: Library» and use «Lib4RI» as the «Pickup Institution». Delivery is free of charge for members of Eawag (Dübendorf), Empa (Dübendorf & St Gallen), PSI (Villigen) and WSL (Birmensdorf & Davos).
    **) Select «Delivery to: Work address». Mail delivery is free of charge for members of Eawag (Kastanienbaum), Empa (Thun) and WSL (Cadenazzo, Sion). Please contact the library team if you receive an invoice for this service.

  • For all users at Empa-Eawag Dübendorf, PSI Villigen, and WSL Birmensdorf media requested via swisscovery are forwarded to your personal mailbox at your workplace for your convenience.

    Please understand that orders comprising multiple and/or bulky books would still need to be collected at your respective Lib4RI home library. You will be notified via e-mail accordingly. Media can be returned to Lib4RI via your institutional internal mail or directly at your home library. At PSI, you can also return media at the Sicherheitszentrale SIZ (east reception).

    We thank the internal mail services of the four institutions for making this service possible.

  • The loan period may vary depending on the type of item or the SLSP library. The standard loan period is 28 days. The loan period is renewed automatically five more times (e.g. 28 days each). Manual renewal is possible via your swisscovery user account. Renewals (automatic or manual) are granted only if no reservation is in place or the maximum loan period has not been reached.

  • Please return your loans on time. If you return an item late, reminder fees may apply. The following fees apply:

     

    Reminder: 1 day after expiry of the loan period

    free

    1st overdue notice: 7 days after expiry of the loan period

    CHF 5

    2nd overdue notice: 14 days after expiry of the loan period

    CHF 5

    3rd overdue notice: 21 days after expiry of the loan period

    CHF 10

     

    For more details, please refer to Lib4RI's user and fee regulations.

Can't find a book in swisscovery?

If a book is not available in any SLSP library, we can arrange a loan from another library.

See our document delivery service

User manuals for other staff only libraries

Further resources

FAQs

FAQs

  • Please follow the instructions given here.

  • With your Lib4RI / swisscovery library account you can

    You can find more details on services offered by Lib4RI in the information leaflet Lib4RI-Info: Lib4RI at a Glance.

  • Please visit your home library during our opening hours to cancel your Lib4RI / swisscovery account or have your details updated for continuation. If it is inconvenient to visit your home library in person, please contact us via e-mail or phone (058 765 57 00).