Membership
Information on obtaining a LU-Card and a library account, necessary for borrowing books and journals, consulting online databases and e-journals and admission to Leiden University Libraries (UBL)
- General
- Leiden University students
- Leiden University and LUMC staff
- Alumni en PhDs of Leiden University
- Free membership
- Paid membership
- Opening hours LU-Card helpdesks
- What to bring when registering?
- Loss or theft of your LU-Card
- Have you forgotten your password or username?
- Library Loan rules
General
All Leiden University Libraries' holdings can be found in our Catalogue. A valid library account is required to borrow materials from our collections and to consult e-Resources, and to get access to the main university library.
Students and staff members of Leiden University are able to log on with a ULCN account and password from anywhere in the world. For all others access to the bibliographic and full-text files is restricted to the university network.
Leiden University students
Leiden University students are automatically registered for library membership. The LU-Card is both university ID and library card. You need to use your ULCN-studentaccount to log in to our computer network. You need a LU-Card when you want to borrow books and journals in the UBL. Please contact Studielink in case of a change of address; the updates will automatically be sent to our library system.
Leiden University and LUMC staff
Leiden University staff are automatically registered for library membership. On display of a form of ID you can collect your LU-Card from the LU-Card helpdesk. More information on the LU-Card can be found on the LU-Card website. Please contact the personnel department of your faculty or unit in case of a change of address; the updates will automatically be sent to our library system.
LUMC staff have to apply for a LU-Card via the LUMC Walaeus library.
Alumni en PhDs of Leiden University
Alumni of Leiden University can apply for a library account and LU-Card free of charge at one of the UBL LU-Card helpdesks by presenting a valid form of ID and proof of your current residential address (for instance a bank statement). If you graduated before September 2006, you must provide evidence of your graduation from Leiden University. For more specific information about library privileges visit the UBL website for alumni.
Free membership
No membership fee is required if you belong to one of the following categories:
- (HOVO) Students and staff of Leiden University
- Staff and students of the other Dutch universities
- Students of any Dutch university of applied sciences (Hogescholen)
- Leiden University graduates/PhDs
- External PhD candidates of Leiden University
- Professors Emeriti of Leiden University
- Staff of LUMC & Rivierduinen
- Staff of Leiden museums
- Staff of the National Library of the Netherlands (KB)
- Staff of any acknowledged research institute (ASC/ IIAS/ INL / KITLV/ KNAW/ NWO/ NHN/ NINO)
- Members of the Maatschappij der Nederlandse Letterkunde
- Members of the Società Dante Alighieri
In some exceptional cases people who do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups may apply for a free membership. If you think you are eligible for a free membership you can fill out an application form. Filling out this form does not guarantee that your request will be granted! You will receive an e-mail with the answer to your request in about two weeks.
Paid membership
Guests and (prospective) members of the UBL who are not a student or an employee at Leiden University can obtain a library account and LU-Card at the LU-Card helpdesks at one of the library locations. The membership fee at Leiden University Libraries is €30 per year. Your LU-Card is at the same time ticket of admission to the University Library.
Opening hours LU-Card helpdesks
Please consult Leiden University's LU-Card website for locations and opening hours of the LU-Card helpdesks.
What to bring when registering?
You can register at your first visit to the UBL. Please bring with you:
- personal identification (passport, ID-card or Dutch driver’s licence)
- a printed proof of your current residential address (for instance a recent bank statement)
Students from other Dutch universities or universities of applied sciences are required to provide valid proof of identity in addition to their valid student card.
External PhD candidates must also bring a letter of introduction from their professor.
In addition to a valid personal indentification and a valid proof of current residential adress Leiden alumni and PhD's before September 2006 are required to provide a valid proof that they are graduated or did their PhD at Leiden University .
Loss or theft of your LU-Card
In case of loss or theft of your LU-Card please inform one of the LU-Card helpdesks immediately. The LU-Card will be blocked to prevent misuse. A replacement card can be obtained at the LU-Card helpdesk for a fee of €15. In case of theft this fee is waived, provided that you can show a police report.
Have you forgotten your password or username?
You can have a new ULCN password made at one of the library desks. Please bring a valid I.D. with you. It is also possible to apply for a new ULCN password with this online request form.
Passwords cannot be given by email or by phone. For more information see the ULCN website.
Library Loan rules
By accepting your library account and the LU-Card you agree to accept the Library Loan rules and the access policies and house rules at the various library locations.