Borrowing

Who can use the service?

The loan service is available to registered members of the University for the duration of their affiliation and to users from partner universities and institutions for the period covered by the agreement.
Students must be up to date with tuition fees to access the service. Users from partner institutions should contact the library for registration.
Current agreements include the University of Milano-Bicocca, the University of Insubria, and the following institutions: CNR, INFM, INFN, and hospitals affiliated with the University for teaching activities. 

How does the service work?

In the library, you can either take a book directly from the open-access shelves in the reading room or request it at the circulation desk.
To ensure availability, you can request books via Minerva, the University’s online catalogue, and select your preferred library for collection. Simply follow these steps:

• Log in with your University email credentials or, for partner institutions, use the credentials provided by the Library.
• Search for the book and check its availability for borrowing.
• Choose the library where you wish to collect the book.
• Submit your request.

You will receive an email notification when the book is ready for collection.

Borrowed books are for personal use and cannot be transferred to others. They must be returned on time and in their original condition. You may authorise someone else to collect books on your behalf, provided they present a signed authorisation letter and a photocopy of your ID.
You do not need to book a seat in the library to borrow or return books. 

What can I borrow?

Books available for loan are marked as borrowable in Minerva, the University’s online catalogue. This includes a regularly updated collection of course textbooks, aligned with study programme requirements.
Journals, rare and antique books, valuable works, and music scores are not available for borrowing. Special circulation conditions apply to non-book items such as CDs, CD-ROMs, and DVDs. 

How many books can I borrow, and for how long?

The loan service operates according to the following conditions: 

*Includes undergraduate and postgraduate students, Erasmus and exchange students under international agreements, and students from partner universities.

**Includes professors and researchers from the University and its affiliated institutions; visiting professors participating in official exchange programmes with the University; language instructors, research fellows, scholarship recipients, and students enrolled in doctoral programmes, specialist schools, and advanced training courses at the University, as well as collaborators officially associated with the University’s departments in various capacities; technical and administrative staff of the University; and personnel from institutions partnered with the University.

The loan period for course textbooks varies by subject area (and not by user category): 

Students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties (SLD) are entitled to twice the standard loan period. Additional support services are available through the Disabilities and SLD Services Office.

How can I renew my loans?

Loans can be renewed via the personal area in Minerva, the University’s online catalogue, provided the book has not been requested by another user. Expired loans cannot be renewed. The loan renewal is calculated from the date of request. For example, if you renew a book 7 days after borrowing it, the new due date will be extended by 7 days. Renewals can be repeated as long as there are no reservations and the total loan period does not exceed the maximum allowed. 

How do I return a book?

Books can be returned at any University library either at the circulation desk or via designated return boxes outside the libraries. You will receive an email confirmation once your return has been processed. 

What happens if I return a book late?

A delay of more than 3 days results in a suspension from borrowing services at all University libraries for a period equal to the length of the delay.
Students who delay returns by more than 60 days will have their academic records temporarily blocked, preventing exam registration. The block is lifted upon return of the book but does not cancel the borrowing suspension.
Lost or damaged books must be replaced at the borrower’s expense, following library guidelines. 

Can I request items normally excluded from borrowing?

Some libraries allow overnight or weekend borrowing of items usually restricted to reference use. However, serials, rare books, oversized volumes, and special collections remain non-circulating. 

Borrowing from partner universities

University of Milan members can borrow books from the University of Milano-Bicocca and the University of Insubria.