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Library Card / UniCard

The library card (UniCard) allows you to borrow items from the University Library or use the interlibrary loan. Please bring your library card with you each time you visit the library.


Where and how do I get a card?

User groups How do I get my card? Further information
Haupthörer (regular, full-time students),  language students How to collect your UniCard (student ID).
Your student ID is also your library card.
Students with disabilities (GdB minimum 50%): On presenting a severely handicapped pass at the Service Desk in the Library Service Center and on application you will be granted special loan conditions.
Gasthörer (occasional, visiting, cross-registered students), continuing education students, junior students How to collect your UniCard (library card) Students with disabilities: see above
User groups How do I get my card? Further information
Newly appointed professors How to collect your UniCard (official ID).
Your official ID is also your library card.
Professors and academic staff who are in possession of a UniCard can grant permanent authorization to up to 3 persons (e.g. assistants or secretarial staff) to borrow media from the library on their behalf. Further information can be obtained from the Service Desk in the Library Service Center.
Academic and non-academic staff How to collect your UniCard (official ID).
Your official ID is also your library card.
Permanent authorization for academic staff: see above
Temporary lecturers How to collect your UniCard (library card)  
Student assistants Your student ID is also your library card  

How to collect your UniCard (official ID).
Your official ID is also your library card.

How do I get my card? Further information

Apply for a library card online (note the information on the right hand side first)

To apply for your ID card, you need a recent digital photo in passport photo format. You can upload this during self-registration by clicking on the "pen" icon.

The issuing of the ID card costs 10,- EUR. You will receive information on how to transfer the amount at the end of the self-registration process.

As soon as we have received the amount, we will issue your library card (UniCard). You will then be informed by e-mail that you can collect the card. Bring your identity card or passport with a current certificate of registration to the collection.

If you already had a library card as a student, employee or external user, please inquire in advance at the Service Desk in the Library Service Center by phone (0521 106-4036) or e-mail to zl.ub@uni-bielefeld.de whether you need to apply for a new library card.

Minor users need a declaration of consent (PDF) signed by their parents or legal representation)


What to do in case of …?

Loss of UniCard

To block the UniCard online, the following steps are required:

  1. Log in to the Self Service of the Identity Management System PRISMA.
  2. Select the "UniCard" tab (click on the green square)
  3. In the section "Sperren der UniCard" select at "Schritt 1" the item "Karte verloren / Card lost" and click on the button "UniCard sperren"

You can also have a card blocked in person at the Service Desk in the Library Service Center.

Blocked cards cannot be unblocked again.

You can obtain your new UniCard at the Service Desk in the Library Service Center, too. Please bring your identity card or passport with you.

The replacement fee for lost UniCard for students is 10€. The replacement for employees is free of charge.

If there is still a balance on the lost UniCard, you will receive a payout receipt for the Studierendenwerk.

Loss of library card

Please report the loss immediately at the Service Desk in the Library Service Center in order to get your account blocked for borrowing.

You can obtain your new UniCard at the Service Desk in the Library Service Center, too. Please bring your identity card or passport with you.

The replacement fee for students and external users is €10. Replacement for employees is free of charge.

Defective card

If your UniCard no longer works, you can get a new card free of charge at the Service Desk in the Library Service Center or at the infopunkt of the Studierendenwerk in the university main hall.

Please bring the defective card with you.

If there is still a credit balance on the defective UniCard, you will receive a payment receipt for the Studierendenwerk.

Change of address

Please report your change of address immediately for your own good. Students inform the Student Office about their new address, employees the personnel department of the University, external users the Service Desk in the Library Service Center.

Enter / Change of password or email address

The maintenance of your personal data takes place exclusively in the PRISMA portal. Here you can change the desired email address for communication with the library or the web password that you need to log in to the borrowing account. For students and employees of Bielefeld University, the web password is also used for other services (e.g. the eKVV).

What to do if you do not know your PRISMA password?

Use the "Forgot password?" function on the login page of the PRISMA portal. External users can also contact the Service Desk in the Library Service Center.


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