FAQ
Frequently asked questions to the libraryIs something unclear or do you have a question? Below you will find quick answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you still cannot find a solution, please feel free to contact us by email or chat.
Regular opening hours can be found at the library locations page.
The adjusted opening hours during holidays can be found in the current news items.
As a student you can also borrow materials with the QR code in My RUAS: go to your profile and then select 'Borrow from the library'.
Both students and employees can borrow books at the desk with a valid ID.
More information about borrowing, renewals and reservations
Most of the library's materials can be found in START, the library's catalog and search engine. Filter your search results by 'Print book' under 'Format' in the left column. More information about START.
NB: Many books are also available as e-books!
When you have found a book through START, you can find it in the shelf using its signature. The signature can be found with the book's availability information and consists of numbers (called the SISO code) and letters.
Most of the library's materials can be found in START, the library's catalog and search engine. Filter your search results by 'eBook' under 'Format' in the left column.
You can also search directly on e-books via rotterdamuas.com/ebooks
Depending on the license we have agreed upon with the publisher, e-books can sometimes only be used by one or a few people at a time. You can then try again at a later time. See the EBSCOhost eBooks page for more information.
Most of the library's materials can be found in START, the library's catalog and search engine. Filter your search results by 'Article' under 'Format' in the left column.
You can also search directly in a specific information source via rotterdamuas.nl/databases. Use the type and theme filters to limit the overview to what is relevant to you.
Do you want to know more about searching for literature? Then have a look at our step-by-step literature research guide.
When you search in START, you can set the 'Search in These Libraries' filter to 'Libraries worldwide'. You will then get more search results, including books and articles that the library itself does not posess. If you click on the title of such a search result, you will often see this button: 
With this button you can request the book or article. Articles can be requested worldwide. Books can only be requested by the library from other Dutch institutions. You can also request a book or article manually with the ILL request form, or via the handy browser extension Library Access.
ILL requests are not free: students pay € 2.50 for an article and € 7.50 for a book. This will be charged (after delivery) via MySTART and you can pay later in the library with your bank card.
You can find all our books with START. When you have found a book you can find it in the shelf with the signature.
You can then lend the books to yourself at the self service desk in the library. All you need is your college card to identify yourself. Students can also borrow books with the QR code in My RUAS: go to your profile and then select 'Borrow from the library'.
Step by step explanation of borrowing via the selfservice desk
You can borrow up to 15 books or other materials.
Go to START and search for the book you want. Click on the 'Place hold' button, select the desired pick-up location and click on 'Submit'. You will receive a confirmation by e-mail.
You will be notified when the books are ready for you on the reservation shelf. You can then lend the books to yourself at the self service desk in the library.
Step by step explanation of borrowing via the selfservice desk
Reserving books from the library's collection is free.
Some books are only available for your perusal ('ter inzage'), this is stated on the cover or side of the book. It is also stated in START behind the location.
This depends on several circumstances, such as whether there are multiple reservations for a book and whether the current borrower returns the book on time. You will receive an email as soon as the books are ready for you in the library.
You have 5 working days including the day that you received the e-mail to pick up your reserved books. After that the reservation will be cancelled.
Yes, you can view and cancel your reservation(s) via your personal page on START.
Reserved books are placed on the reservation shelves in the library. They are ordered by the last digit of your student number. If your student number is 01234567, then your reservations will be at '7'.
The standard loan period is 3 weeks. If the loan period has expired, you must return or renew your books within 1 week.
You can renew your books online via your personal page on START. This is the easiest way to renew. You can renew your books up to ten times.
You can also renew at the self service desk in the library. You will need your college card or My RUAS to identify yourself. You don't have to bring your books with you if you want to renew.
Please note: if your books are more than 35 (working) days late, your account will be blocked and you can no longer renew your books. Return them as soon as possible or contact us via chat or send an e-mail to mediatheek@hr.nl.
At the Academieplein and Museumpark locations there is a separate drop off point. You can find it in the corridor to the right of the library entrance. Place your books on the conveyor belt one at a time.
At other locations, you can hand in books via the self service desk in the library.
Yes, you can return books from any location at any other location.
Go to your account in START and click on the tab 'Profile'. Here you can enable your borrowing history. You can then find the books you borrowed in the past (up to 4 years) under the tab 'Borrowing history'.
Please note: when you disable your borrowing history it will be erased and can't be restored. Library staff do not have access to your borrowing history.
Go to a library employee, something has probably gone wrong while you borrowed a book.
To borrow books you need a college card with a legible barcode. Students can also borrow with the QR code in My RUAS: go to your profile and then select 'Borrow from the library'.
Both students and employees can borrow books at the desk with a valid ID.
When you search in START, you can set the 'Search in These Libraries' filter to 'Libraries worldwide'. You will then get more search results, including books and articles that the library itself does not posess. If you click on the title of such a search result, you will often see this button: 
With this button you can request the book or article. Articles can be requested worldwide. Books can only be requested by the library from other Dutch institutions. You can also request a book or article manually with the ILL request form, or via the handy browser extension Library Access.
ILL requests are not free: students pay € 2.50 for an article and € 7.50 for a book. This will be charged (after delivery) via MySTART and you can pay later in the library with your bank card.
Probably something went wrong when returning the books. Go to a library employee, contact us via chat or send an e-mail to mediatheek@hr.nl.
Via the self service desk you can borrow, renew and return books.
Step by step explanation of borrowing via the self service desk.
You can pay the fine at the pin station in the library. Use your college card to select your account and then pay with your bank card.
Go to a library employee, contact us via chat or send an e-mail to mediatheek@hr.nl.
No, the fine for the returned book will remain the same, the amount will not change after you have returned the book.
Yes, you can still borrow books as long as the fine does not exceed 20 Euro. This includes any outstanding fees for ILL requests.
Hand in your book(s) as soon as possible. The fine for returning the book late will remain, but the replacement and administration costs for the book will be cancelled.
You can hand in a replacement copy to a library employee, or request an invoice via our contact form.
On our website you will find our step-by-step literature research guide, check whether your question is answered here first. If not, please contact us via our contact form or via chat. You can also send an email to mediatheek@hr.nl. We will ensure that you receive support from one of our domain specialists or embedded librarians.
On our website you will also find information about referencing the sources that you have used and cited in your thesis or publication. We also have a manual for APA 7.
If you can't find the answer to your question you can contact us via our contact form or via chat. You can also send an email to mediatheek@hr.nl.