About the library
Every top university has its own top library. As partner in science the library enables you to excel. Our aim is to supply you with the right information, in the right time, in the right place and in the right way.
The library is always online, accessible from anywhere.
On your smartphone you can use our mobile website for quick reference or to check free computers.
Personal Library is your own personal custom-made, digital library. We build online work environments that allow your research group to collaborate with colleagues from other (foreign) universities.
Our Igitur Archive makes the scientific production of Utrecht University accessible via Open Access. Via the service Dataverse Network Utrecht you can store your research data safely, reliably and permanently and make them accessible.
External assessment of the Utrecht University Library
The Executive Board of the University commissioned an external assessment panel to carry out a review on the Utrecht University Library. The panel was asked to observe and test the library services. In early 2010, the Executive Board presented the findings of the assessment.
The panel came to the conclusion that the organisation can be counted among the best libraries in the Netherlands. On all tested criteria the scores range from satisfactory to excellent. A summary of the report can be found here.
Policy plan, 2009-2012
In January 2009 a new policy plan of the Utrecht University Library was published. In this plan the policy has been updated to strengthen the position of the Utrecht University Library in a fast-changing world.
Mission statement of the Utrecht University Library:
Utrecht University Library renders services in the field of information supply for scientific research and education to the members of the academic community. In rendering these services, Utrecht University Library supports the University's objectives: education, research and social service, emphasising a customer-focused approach and flexible services. The library manages a considerable cultural inheritance which is increased and catalogued for the university and the society.
In its Strategic Plan, Utrecht University has formulated high ambitions in relation to the further strengthening of its reputation as top university. The policy of the Utrecht University Library is in keeping with these ambitions. The library aims for integration of her services in the primary processes of research and education. The substantive choices of the university are preconditions.
The main points of the Policy Plan 2009-2012 are:
- Utrecht University Library is a high-quality and reliable partner in education and research
- the core competence of the Utrecht University Library is the cataloguing of information, keeping it permanently accessible, in print as well as electronically. This not only concerns textual material but also audiovisual material and primary research data.
- Utrecht University Library delivers tailored services to both individuals and groups
- Utrecht University Library is an innovative, flexible and professional organization.
The Utrecht University Library works in close collaboration with groups of researchers and lecturers and the IT management within the university, and with other universities in the Netherlands and abroad to realize these objectives on which all work processes within the organization are based.
More about Utrecht University Library:
- Strategic Plan 2009 - 2012
Poem by Ingmar Heytze (dedicated to Bas Savenije upon his departure as librarian of Utrecht University)
Vacancies at Utrecht University
Finding the names of Utrecht University staff