The loan service allows you to borrow documents from the CRAI for a certain period of time. To use this service, you must have a UB card or another document that proves your right to borrow materials.
- Who can use the loan service?
Members of the UB (teaching staff, researchers, students, PTGAS and authorized UB Alumni).
External users from institutions that have an agreement with the University of Barcelona to use the loan service.
- How can I borrow a document?
You can borrow documents using the self-checkout machines available at each CRAI library (except the Pavelló de la República CRAI Library and the Rare Book and Manuscript CRAI Library, which do not have self-checkout machines) or by going to the library desk, provided that:
- No other user has requested the document.
- You do not have any overdue loans.
- Your user account is not blocked due to a penalty.
- What can I do using the self-checkout machines?
The self-checkout machines allow you to borrow, renew and return documents quickly, easily and independently.
This service is available at all CRAI libraries, except the heritage libraries (the Pavelló de la República CRAI Library and the Rare Book and Manuscript CRAI Library).
To learn how to use the machines, you can watch this video.
- How many documents can I borrow and for how long?
User category Number of documents Loan period Active or retired UB teaching and research staff (PDI), and students with specific needs 40 documents 60 days Doctoral students, students enrolled in official, university-specific or interuniversity master's programmes, and active or retired UB technical, management, administrative and service staff (PTGAS) 20 documents 30 days UB undergraduate students, students from affiliated centres, interuniversity programmes, degree recognition programmes, national or international mobility programmes, the Institut de Formació Contínua (IL3), university-specific master's and postgraduate programmes, Universitat de l'Experiència, and authorised UB Alumni 10 documents 21 days Staff of teaching hospitals, teaching and research staff (PDI) of centres with agreements with the University and of the UB Group, and staff of research institutes that are participated in, affiliated with, linked to or have agreements with the UB, or belong to the UB Group 15 documents 21 days Students of centres with agreements with the UB or members of the UB Group, and external users 5 documents 10 days
Exceptions (same loan period for all users):- Recommended bibliography: 10 days.
- Weekend recommended bibliography: 3 days.
- Audiovisual media: 21 days.
- How can I reserve a document?
From Cercabib, after signing in to My Account, search for the document and select Request at UB. Choose the CRAI Library where you would like to collect it.
You can make a reservation provided that:
- You do not request more than one copy of the same title, except for multi-volume works or items with accompanying materials.
- You do not exceed the maximum of 10 documents reserved simultaneously.
When the document is ready, you will receive an email notification. You must collect it within 4 days, except for the recommended bibliography, which you must collect within 2 days.
- How can I renew a loan?
You can renew your loans through My Account or at the self-checkout machines, provided that:
- No other user has requested the document.
- The renewal is made before the due date.
- You do not have any overdue loans.
- Your account is not blocked due to a penalty.
The loans can be renewed as many times as needed. The only exception is the recommended bibliography, which may be renewed in 10-day periods for a maximum total loan period of 2 years.
- Where can I return the documents?
You have several options:
- Monday to Friday during opening hours, at any UB CRAI Library, either through the self-checkout machines or at the library desk.
- During weekends and public holidays, at the Economics and Business (Bachelor's Degree library), Mundet Campus and Philosophy, Geography and History CRAI Libraries.
- Using the return boxes available at the Bellvitge Campus, Clínic Campus, Economics and Business (Research library), Law, Mundet Campus and Philology and Communication CRAI Libraries. The return boxes are accessible during the opening hours of the corresponding faculties, except for the Law CRAI Library return box, which is available at all times.
- What penalties apply if the rules are not followed?
If you return documents late, a penalty of 1 day of suspension from the loan service for each day overdue and for each document will apply.
Exceptions:
- Recommended bibliography: 2 days of suspension for each day overdue and for each document.
- Weekend recommended bibliography: 3 days of suspension for each day overdue and for each document.
These penalties are applied immediately.
If documents are not returned or are returned with damages, you must replace them with copies of the same edition or with similar characteristics approved by the CRAI library. Until this requirement has been met, your account may be temporarily blocked from the loan service.
- How can I access My Account, and what can I do there?
You can access My Account from the CRAI website homepage or through the Cercabib. See the information on usernames and passwords for signing in.
From My Account you can view and manage your borrowing activity:
- Check the documents you currently have on loan.
- Renew your loans*.
- Access your loan history. Enter My Account, go to Loans and select Previous and historic loans to see the complete borrowing history associated to your user account.
- Request documents*. You can collect them from the CRAI Library of your choice. Books usually take two or three days to arrive.
*Provided that no other user has requested the document, you do not have any overdue loans, and your user account has not been suspended due to a penalty.