Consulting physical material

The Utrecht University Library offers a wide collection of printed books, journals, and other physical material. Anyone who visits us, works with us, or studies with us can consult these collections in the library.

Material in the open collection

Some of the physical books and journals are on open shelves, where you can take them for consultation. Go to the page of your discipline to see in which library your collection is housed.

If the material is not on the open shelves, you can request or reserve it in WorldCat. A library staff member will then place it on the reservation shelves for you to collect. After viewing the material, return it to the return machines.

Consulting Special Collections

Our Special Collections contain manuscripts, printed books and maps dating from before 1900. Part of the Special Collections is on open display on the sixth floor of the University Library USP. You can take it out of the shelves yourself. Another part can only be consulted after you request it in WorldCat. You can then collect it from the Special Collections desk and view it in the Reading Room. Here, special rules apply.

Consulting material for guests

Do you not study or work at Utrecht University and would you like to consult materials? You are welcome to do so. Ask at the desk for the consultation areas.

Would you like to request or reserve material to consult it in the library? Then you will need a guest account (a guest Solis-id). Apply for a guest account online and then report to the library desk to activate your account. Bring a valid identification. The library staff will then help you determine which type of guest account suits your needs.