Using the Library

1. List of All Subject Headings (systematic)
2. List of Call Number Categories:

The Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) allows users not only to search the Film University’s library holdings, but also to manage their loans through a personal user account. For example, borrowed items can be renewed online.

To log in, click on “Log in”. Members of the university community should use their campus account details. External users should log in using their library card number (Bib.-Nr.) and library password. By default, the password is your date of birth in the format DD.MM.YYYY (including full stops).

Short-term Loans

In exceptional cases, and subject to valid reasons, restricted materials may be borrowed until the following day or over the weekend. Permission must be obtained from the Information Desk, located on the gallery level.

The media return box allows you to return borrowed library materials outside the library’s opening hours. It is located opposite the reception desk at the main entrance. Please observe the following guidelines:

• Only return items when the library is closed.
• Only return items belonging to the Film University Library.
• Insert items individually, one at a time, without packaging, with the spine facing downwards.
• Please ensure that all parts of each item are included.
• Oversized items will not fit through the slot. Please hand these in to the receptionist instead.
• The contents of the return box are checked in each morning before the library opens. This is considered the official return time; the actual time of deposit does not count as the return time.
• If the return box is full, please do not insert any more items. Instead, hand them in to the receptionist.
• Books borrowed from other libraries through the interlibrary loan service must be returned to the Interlibrary Loans Desk.

Late return fines are charged whenever the loan period is exceeded. The library is not required to send prior notification. In particular, reminder and overdue emails are provided as an optional service only. They do not relieve users of their responsibility to monitor the loan periods of borrowed items. Failure to receive a reminder email does not entitle users to have any applicable overdue fines waived. In accordance with the Fee Regulations, overdue fines are charged per item as follows:

• Up to 7 calendar days overdue: 0,50 €
• Up to 14 calendar days overdue: 2,00 €
• For each additional 7 calendar days overdue: 2,50 €

Fines are normally payable in cash at the circulation desk. However, larger amounts (at least €5.00) may also be paid by bank transfer. Please note that processing the payment may take several days.
 

Bank details
Account holder: Landeshauptkasse Potsdam
IBAN: DE 1430 0500 0071 1040 2851
BIC: WELADEDDXXX
Bank: Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen
Payment reference: 1306600000480, your name (e.g. Mustermann, Erika)
 

Orders can only be placed for items that are definitely not held by the University Library. Please check our Library Catalogue before submitting your request.

Orders must be submitted by email to fernleihe(at)filmuniversitaet.de including the following complete details:

FOR BOOKS:

• Author's surname and first name
• Full titel
• Place of publication, publisher and year of publication
• ISBN, if available
• Whether alternative editions are also acceptable
• The latest date by which you need the item

FOR JOURNAL ARTICLES:

• Full title of the journal
• Place of publication, volume, year and issue number (particularly important!)
• Author and title of the article (page numbers, if possible)

Fees & Renewals

A fee of €1.50 is charged for each interlibrary loan request within Germany and €8.00 for international requests. Any additional charges imposed by the lending libraries will be passed on to the person placing the order.

Please allow sufficient time when submitting your request, as orders cannot always be fulfilled within four weeks.

Renewals must be requested separately. Late returns are subject to charges in accordance with the Film University Library's Fee Regulations.

Interlibrary loans are generally only possible between libraries. Please therefore always contact the library at which you are registered as a user.

The lending of books and journal articles (the latter supplied as photocopies by post) from our collection via interlibrary loan is subject to the provisions of the Library Regulations of the Film University. This means that the standard loan period is four weeks, with renewals possible upon request.

As our library holds highly specialised, rare and, in some cases, unique materials, we reserve the right to impose restrictions on their use and lending.

For example, audiovisual materials (videos, DVDs, etc.) cannot be sent via interlibrary loan. Books from reference collections, course reserves and non-circulating collections are also excluded from lending. Individual journal issues and complete journal volumes cannot be sent either.

Interlibrary loans within Germany are governed by the "Leihverkehrsordnung" (LVO – German Interlibrary Loan Regulations).

International interlibrary loans are governed by the regulations of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

Wi-Fi is available via  eduroam (you can use the  Easyroamwebsite to set it up) or through the WLAN-GUEST access point.

A charging station with three lockable compartments is now available at the circulation desk. You can obtain a key in exchange for a deposit and charge your iPhone or other smartphone with a Micro-USB or USB-C connection free of charge.

Use of the charging station is at your own risk.

The Film University Library offers a range of commonly needed computer accessories (adapters, laptop power supplies and computer cables) for short-term loan (one day). You can find the current list of available items here. A Muntz Museum Vacuum Cleaner Kit and a foldable hand truck are also available for loan. All items can be borrowed from the circulation desk.

There are two photocopiers available in the lending and reading area for A4 and A3 copies. An A4 copy costs €0.05 (black and white) or €0.20 (colour), whilst an A3 copy costs €0.10 (black and white) or €0.40 (colour). The photocopiers in the reading area can be activated on request at the circulation desk upon payment of a deposit. The deposit will be returned once payment has been made. Please never leave the photocopier assigned to you unattended, as you may otherwise be held liable for any use made of it by others in the meantime.

A Zeutschel Delta HD scanner is available in the reading room for viewing microfilms. Excerpts can be saved free of charge to a USB stick. Please refer to this guide for instructions.

Two Zeutschel ZETA book scanners are also available for use. Compared with conventional photocopiers, these devices offer several advantages: they reduce wear and tear on library materials during scanning and are also more environmentally friendly, as they eliminate the need for paper and toner. The scanners are free to use. You will need a USB stick to save your scans. New to the library is the Scantent, which makes it easy and convenient to scan documents using your own smartphone. Further information is available here.

You can print documents using two printers available in the library. Printing directly from your own USB stick is also possible. Printer paper is available at the circulation desk for a fee of €0.05 per A4 sheet.