Study Environments

Tools for your work in the library

Information for Parents with Children

For parents withe their children there are several especially equipped rooms within and outside the library.

The rooms C1-127 and V1-207 are intended as Parent-Child Rooms. A diaper changing table is provided in room C1-132.

Outside the library, the rooms D0-130 and U3-154 are nursing rooms. In addition, D4-111 and S5-121 are nursing and relaxation rooms.

Laptops in the Library

The workstations in the reading rooms are equipped with power outlets for your laptops, so you can work here with your laptop at any time. At the moment a reservation is need and the workstations can only be used by students of Bielefeld University.

Printing from your Private Laptop

Print jobs can be sent from a private laptop (with Windows 7 or higher) to the printers in the library. Precondition is the installation of a special printer driver. The driver can be installed only within the university's WiFi network or via Eduroam.

Download printer drivers / Installation guides (in German)
Choose e.g. "Treiber Win7/10 64Bit" to download the 64-bit-driver for Windows 7 or higher from the list on the bottom right side. You will find more drivers and installations guides in this list, too

 

SMART Board via Laptop

The SMART Board is a combination of computer and chalkboard. It can be best applied to promote cooperation in small groups. Files and programmes on your private laptop can be connected to the SMART Board via USB flash drive.

Photocopying and Scanning

Please note: With the start of the winter semester 2021/22, the university is converting the options for saving content from print products. Scanning will still be possible and will be free of charge from October. Operation of the multifunction devices, which are also used for copying, will be discontinued. Further information (in German only).

We provide machines that are designed to copy, scan and print ("Multifunction devices") . In the library, one multifunction device is available at each of the following locations:

• Departmental library Linguistics and Literary Studies, Main University Building, Building C1, Copy Room C1-220
• Departmental library Law, Main University Building, Building U1, Copy Room U1-203
• Departmental libraries in building X, copying room F1-203

In the BITS (UHG, Bauteil V0, Raum V0-224) there is an accessible multifunctional machine available.

Scanned documents can be saved directly to USB flash drive.

Special Locations

For the books in the discussion room of the Law Library (U1-142), which cannot be removed from their location, a scanner is available, which allows you to save scanned pages directly to USB stick. You can choose between color scans, grayscale scans and black and white scans (text scans). Color scans and grayscale scans are automatically saved in JPG format, text scans in TIF format. The use of the scanner is free of charge.

For microforms, there is a special scanner in the Information Center (U0) that allows you to view relevant materials and save scanned pages as PDF files on USB sticks free of charge. The staff of the Information Center will assist you in using these devices.

Purchase, recharge, return cards

Members of the university can obtain their UniCard at the info point in the hall in the UHG. Non-university members can apply for a UniCard (which also serves as a library card and canteen card, among other things) online or purchase a Servicecard (without library card function) at the Servicepoint of the Studierendenwerk in Building X.

UniCards and Servicecards can be recharged at the Servicepoint in Building X (there also at two vending machines), at the cash desks of the Studierendenwerk cafeterias and in the Westend (there also at a vending machine).

Cards that are no longer needed can be returned at the machines themselves or at the Studierendenwerk Service Point in Building X. Both deposit and remaining credit will be paid out again.

Price List (per page)

Scans and copies are charged cashless via the UniCard or the Studierendenwerk service card.

Type	Price
Scan	2 Cent
Printout/Copy, B/W, size A4	4 Cent
Printout/Copy, colour, size A4	10 Cent
Printout/Copy, b/w, size A3	8 Cent
Printout/Copy, colour, size A3	20 Cent

Printing in the Library

Please note: With the start of the winter semester 2021/22, the university is converting the options for saving content from print products. Operation of the multifunction devices, which are also used for printing, will be discontinued. Further information (in German only).

Print jobs can be sent from every PC in the library, from your private laptop or USB flash drive.

Printing is possible at any of the provided copy machines in the library (see locations in the section "Photocopying and Scanning" above) . The amounts are debited to your UniCard (Student ID card) or Servicecard.

If you need assistance, the library personnel in the reference deparment will be glad to support.

Print jobs can be sent from a private laptop (with Windows 7 or higher) to the printers in the library. Precondition is the installation of a special printer driver. The driver can be installed only within the university's WiFi network or via Eduroam.

Download printer driver (via Ricoh Printservices, in German only)

Relax Loungers

Usage not possible at the moment due to Corona regulations

In the library in the UHG we provide you with relax loungers for a short rest. If the day on campus is long, we would like to offer you the opportunity to briefly regenerate your ability to concentrate for a successful study day. Take advantage of our offer to gather your mental strength, to relieve stress or simply to relax your spine - also by a short power napping.

Use of the relax loungers:

• The relax loungers may only be used in the departmental lbraries in the UHG in components C to E and T to V - in the areas provided for this purpose.
• We kindly ask you to handle the relax loungers with care.
• The relax loungers are protected against theft.
• Use them at your own risk.

Save and Export at the Library's Internet PCs

You can save and export files to USB flash drive at all the library's PCs. A manual is available in German. Just switch this site to german language.

SMART Boards

Bielefeld University offers its students and research teams a dynamic learning environment. In cooperation with the University computing center, Service Center Medien and the library the discussion rooms C1-133, T1-224 and V1-205 have been equipped with a so-called SMART Board. There are also SMART Boards in the Lernort.plus! in U0 and in the liberary in Building X.

This device is a combination of a blackboard and a computer. You navigate and project the contents of presentations or web pages onto the screen and edit by means of electronic crayons. They are open to every working group and free of charge. Reservations can be made in advance.

Basics of using SMART Boards

What can I use the SMART Board for?

The SMART Board is a combination of computer and blackboard and supports you especially in small learning and working groups. The following possibilities are available here in combination:

• Control PC applications with your hand on the screen Visualization of digital contents of any kind (Powerpoint, PDF, DVD etc.)
• Use as virtual blackboard or whiteboard with "electronic" pens and sponge
• Use of SMART-Idea software for mind mapping, etc. Recording of screen activities and microphone channel as video Output of work results as PDF, JPEG, HTML, Powerpoint etc.
• Display of own laptop screen via VGA/HDMI cable (see below)
• Display and operation of your own laptop desktop on the SMART Board screen while using the pen function

Who may use the SMART Board?

Students, learning groups, tutorials and research groups, also individual working groups from seminars. Complete seminars please only for individual dates after consultation, as this room is not intended as a seminar room. Only members of Bielefeld University are entitled to use the room. A corresponding BITS login is required.

Can I reserve the SMART Board?

Although the discussion rooms are primarily intended for spontaneous use, they can of course also be reserved for SMART Board use. For short-term appointments, please enter your name in the list at the door. Here you will also find contact information to reserve appointments for longer periods in advance. However, the SMART Board in Lernort.plus! cannot be reserved.

Do I have to consider anything special when using it?

• The SMART Board is not a conventional board. So under no circumstances use conventional chalk or even pencils! Only use your hand or the enclosed "electronic" pens and sponges on the screen. These are "recognized" by the board and do not cause scratches or marks.
• Try to work with your hand with an extended pointed finger, otherwise the ball of your hand or sleeve will be detected and the sponge function activated.
• Please also make sure that you do not cause scratches by rings.
• Please do not put down any objects such as the pens in the white band surrounding the screen, as otherwise no more operation is possible.

How do I start the SMART Board?

1. Press anywhere on the screen with your finger. The screen should then wake up from standby mode, so that after two seconds the login window appears on the screen.
2. Then enter your account from the BITS (information on keystrokes on the SMART Board)
3. You have the possibility to access your network drive (P:\) to load and save files. No image? If the large button to the left of the screen lights up red, the screen is off. If you press the button, the screen will turn on and the button will light green (then log in with the BITS account).
4. Still no picture even though the button on the left side of the screen glows green?
   • Then either the computer has been switched off (open the flap at the bottom and start the PC if its power indicator is not lit.
   • Or the source of the image is shifted. On the left side of the screen, press the button with the large arrow pointing to the right. Wait 2 seconds and press again if the picture has not yet appeared. The source must be set to RGB for PC/SMART Board use or DVI for the connected document camera.

How do I end the session?

To quit, please simply log off under Windows. The computer will then go into sleep mode after a short time and automatically switch the screen to stand-by.

First steps on the interactive screen

How can I use the cursor or the "electronic" pens?

• If you use your finger, the cursor is set and a left click is executed.
• If you press with your finger for three seconds, the right mouse button is activated
• Take the pens you can write over any program. A small control panel will then appear in the top right-hand corner of the window. Click on it and then on Delete Marker to delete all notes.
• Use the sponge or the ball of your hand (fist) to make only small corrections by erasing.
• Would you like to take notes as a screenshot? Click on the small transparent label for the SMART Board toolbar on the left of the desktop and then click on the camera again. Then select the upper left corner of the screenshot area with your finger, leave it on the screen and drag it to the lower right corner of the screenshot you want to take. The image will then appear in the notebook software. More screenshots can be added in the same way.

Where do I find the right mouse button (context menu)?

The right mouse button (context menu) is called by the key with the mouse symbol "Right mouse button" in the key panel directly in the middle below the screen. Alternatively, you can also press with your finger on the same spot on the screen until a context menu appears.

How can I make keyboard entries on SMART Board?

1. You can access a virtual keyboard for direct use on the screen by pressing the corresponding button with a keyboard icon in the key panel directly in the center of the screen.
   Then touch the field where you want to insert the text with your finger and enter the text (also by touching it with your finger) using the virtual keyboard.
2. The connected standard keyboard is suitable for longer texts.
3. For short text input (1-3 words): Write legibly with the stylus on the SMART Board. Then briefly click on the text with your finger. In the lower left corner of the selection boundary, click on the "Aa" symbol that appears and then click where you want to insert the text.

Laptop and SMART Board

You want to connect your laptop via VGA connection?

1. Then connect the VGA cable that comes loose from the document camera to your laptop.
2. Turn on the document camera.
3. Press the laptop icon on the document camera (to pass the signal through).
4. Then, on your laptop, select the color-coded Fn key and the screen icon by the function keys.
5. Then, on the SMART Board, press the arrow button on the left side of the screen until the device's image source is set to DVI.

Or do you already have a laptop with HDMI connection?

1. Then simply connect the cable to the outer left edge of the SMART Board.
2. Then, on your laptop, select the color-coded Fn button and the screen icon by the function keys.
3. Then, on the SMART Board, use the arrow button on the left side of the screen to toggle until the device's picture source is set to DVI.

Would you also like to be able to operate your laptop like a SMART board?

1. Connect your laptop via VGA or HDMI as described above.
2. Additionally, connect your laptop to the appropriate USB port on the SMART Board using a USB cable
3. Download and install SMART Notebook collaborative learning software on your laptop.

Document imaging camera and SMART Board

Would you like to view digitally enlarged books on the SMART Board with several people instead of making costly copies for everyone?

1. Turn on the document imaging camera.
2. Then, on the SMART Board, use the arrow button on the left side of the screen until the device's image source is set to DVI.
3. Zoom with the twist grip (slight rotation 45° to the left or right at the back of the arm)
4. Switch on the light if necessary (slide switch on the arm)
5. To focus the image, activate the autofocus by briefly pressing the round button at the top of the arm on the outside of the rotating wheel in the middle of the axle

"Tischapparate" for Examnees

Due to Corona regulations no "Tischapparate" can be set up at the moment

When you are working on your bachelor, master, or doctoral thesis you have the option to place library items on a "Tischapparat". This includes the privilege to borrow any 20 titles for a limited period of time and keep it at your workplace in the library. The only precondition is that you have to prove your eligibility by a written confirmation issued by your lecturer.

The items in your "Tischapparat" do not circulate then, but other patrons must be given the opportunity to view and copy the material at any time. In all departmental libraries you can borrow a mobile filing pedestal, where you can lock books and other items.

For further details please contact your departmental library.

Using the University's WiFi network

Students and employees of the University and the FH Bielefeld can access the IT services of the University and the FH and the Internet via the WiFi network "eduroam". They need an BITS account for this. The WiFi network is available in all areas of the university. Even outside the university, eduroam can be used in part in Bielefeld ("eduroam off campus").

Scientists and students from other universities can also use WiFi network via eduroam at Bielefeld University. The prerequisite is that the respective home university offers eduroam. Access to the library's licensed services is not possible when dialing in. There is a special guest access for day guests.
Further information / instructions (in German)

For people who are not university members, WiFi network use is also possible: In the university - and thus also in the library rooms - the free WiFi network BI-free of the city of Bielefeld is also available. In cooperation with BITel, this is broadcast on the university's access points. Connections to BI-free are automatically disconnected after one hour, but you can reconnect afterwards.
Free WiFi in Bielefeld (in German)