Borrow books

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

    • In order to borrow books and other media via swisscovery (and Lib4RI) you need to register with SLSP via a SWITCH edu-ID. Please refer to 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.
    • Should you not yet have a personal Switch edu-ID, you can conveniently create one. Members of Eawag, Empa, PSI, and WSL should use their work and email address for registration with Switch edu-ID. 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 successful registration with SLSP, you can use your SWITCH edu-ID account for all SLSP libraries (there are no separate accounts per library).

  • Most books and other documents in the collection of Lib4RI are freely accessible 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), you only need to get the book from the shelf and check out at one of the self-service terminals. You will need your library card for this.

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

    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: Fees are not covered by Lib4RI for pickup locations other than a Lib4RI library.
    4. For members of Eawag, Empa, PSI and WSL at other locations: select «Delivery to: Work address» (make sure that your work address is given 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 upon the arrival of the book.

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

    Your Location

    Pickup Location

    Delivery / 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 Birrmensdorf media requested via swisscovery are forwarded to your personal mailbox 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. For users at PSI there is an additional drop-off point at the SIZ (east reception).

    Many thanks to the internal institutional mail services for making this possible.

  • The loan period might vary depending on the type of document 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.

  • You are committed to return your loans in time. Otherwise you will receive an invoice for the reminder. 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 other staff only libraries

Further resources