Registration
Students of the University of Potsdam are already registered. Members of other user groups must register.
Registration for borrowing is currently free of charge.
The terms of use and fee schedule of the University Library form the legal foundation for using the library. Both are available online and in printed form onsite at the circulation desks. You acknowledge and accept these terms of use with your signature when you enroll or register in person.
Additional Information Regarding Registration
Students at the University of Potsdam
Registering for using the University Library is not necessary. You are automatically registered when you enroll.
- Your PUCK (student ID) is also your library card. The PUCK is valid at all departmental libraries of the University Library.
- A user account is set up for you automatically when you register.
- If you would like to use Interlibrary Loan, you will need an additional interlibrary loan account. Please refer to an information desk in one of our departmental libraries or the Interlibrary Loan Department to register for interlibrary loan services - before you place your first order.
Doctoral students at the University of Potsdam
Submit your work contract with the University of Potsdam to get the user status of a research associate.
Staff of the University of Potsdam
You must register with the University Library to use services such as borrowing media, ordering and reserving materials in the online catalog, or using interlibrary loan services.
- Please present proof of employment at the University of Potsdam (Dienstausweis/badge or other written legitimation) when registering. Please also present a passport or a valid German ID when you register. If you present a passport, you require a confirmation of residence (Meldebestätigung) from the Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) not older than 6 months.
- You will receive a library card that works at each departmental library.
- A user account is set up for you automatically when you register.
- You can find information regarding special conditions of use for members of the academic staff at the University (special loan periods, corporate use) under Information for Staff & Faculty.
- If you would like to use Interlibrary Loan, you will need an additional interlibrary loan account. Please refer to an information desk in one of our departmental libraries or the Interlibrary Loan Department to register for interlibrary loan services - before you place your first order.
Junior students at the University of Potsdam
You must register with the University Library to use services such as borrowing media, ordering and reserving materials in the online catalog, or using interlibrary loan services.
- A residence in Berlin or Brandenburg is required for registration. Please present a passport or a valid German ID when you register. If you present a passport, we also require a confirmation of residence (Meldebestätigung) from the Registration Office (not older than 6 months).
- You will also need your study agreement with the University of Potsdam to register. If you are under 18 years of age, you must present a Declaration of Consent signed by your legal guardian that also contains a declaration to assume any obligations that may arise. Registration is valid for one semester.
- You will be issued a library card that works at all of the University Library's departmental libraries.
- If you would like to use Interlibrary Loan, you will need an additional interlibrary loan account. Please refer to an information desk in one of our departmental libraries or the Interlibrary Loan Department to register for interlibrary loan services - before you place your first order.
Students of state-run universities in the Berlin-Brandenburg area
You must register with the University Library to use services such as borrowing media, ordering and reserving materials in the online catalog, or using interlibrary loan services.
- A residence in Berlin or Brandenburg is required for registration. Please present a passport or a valid German ID when you register. If you present a passport, we also require a confirmation of residence (Meldebestätigung) from the Registration Office (not older than 6 months).
- Please bring a valid student ID of your home university.
- You will receive a library card that works at all of the University Library's departmental libraries.
- A user account is set up for you automatically when you register.
- If you would like to use Interlibrary Loan, you will need an additional interlibrary loan account. Please refer to an information desk in one of our departmental libraries or the Interlibrary Loan Department to register for interlibrary loan services - before you place your first order.
Students at private universities in the Berlin-Brandenburg area
You must register with the University Library to use services such as borrowing media, ordering and reserving materials in the online catalog, or using interlibrary loan services.
- A residence in Berlin or Brandenburg is required for registration. Please present a passport or a valid German ID when you register. If you present a passport, we also require a confirmation of residence (Meldebestätigung) from the Registration Office (not older than 6 months).
- Please bring a valid student ID of your home university.
- You will receive a library card that works at all of the University Library's departmental libraries.
- A user account is set up for you automatically when you register.
- If you would like to use Interlibrary Loan, you will need an additional interlibrary loan account. Please refer to an information desk in one of our departmental libraries or the Interlibrary Loan Department to register for interlibrary loan services - before you place your first order.
External users
You must register with the University Library to use services such as borrowing media, ordering and reserving materials in the online catalog, or using interlibrary loan services.
- A residence in Berlin or Brandenburg is required for registration. Please present a passport or a valid German ID when you register. If you present a passport, we also require a confirmation of residence (Meldebestätigung) from the Registration Office (not older than 6 months).
- You will receive a library card that works at all of the University Library's departmental libraries.
- A user account is set up for you automatically when you register.
- If you would like to use Interlibrary Loan, you will need an additional interlibrary loan account. Please refer to an information desk in one of our departmental libraries or the Interlibrary Loan Department to register for interlibrary loan services - before you place your first order.
Adolescents and pupils
The holdings of the University Library are open to interested school pupils who have reached their 14th birthday. If you are not yet 14 years old, you can visit the library if accompanied by an adult.
- Registration for borrowing is possible as of your 14th birthday. Young people under 16 years of age can only register in the presence of their legal guardian.
- School pupils under 18 years of age must also present a Declaration of Consent signed by their legal guardian that also contains a declaration to assume any obligations that may arise.
- You will receive a library card that works at all departmental libraries of the University Library.
Institutions, agencies, clubs, companies
You must register with the University Library to use services such as borrowing media, ordering and reserving materials in the online catalog, or using interlibrary loan services. In order to register, your registered office must be located in either Berlin or Brandenburg.
- When registering, please provide appropriate proof and bring the application for admission to lending/library use by authorities, institutions, associations, companies (corporative use/Korporativnutzung), which also includes a declaration of acceptance of any obligations that may arise. For this purpose, you must personally show proof of identity and also personally accept the usage regulations (Benutzungsordnung) and the schedule of fees (Gebührenordnung). In addition, a maximum of three other persons authorized to pick up can be named. The application must bear the stamp and signature of the legal representative.
- The registration is valid for a maximum of 1 year. For an extension, a completed and signed application must be submitted again. The extension can be applied for at the earliest three months before the expiry of the admission.
- A user card for corporate use is issued which is valid at all library facilities of the University of Potsdam. A valid personal document must be presented when picking up media. Upon registration, a user account is set up for the institution.
- When media are handed over to those who pick them up, the liability for damages caused to the library by damage or loss of media or by misuse of the library card lies with the holders of the library account according to the usage regulations (Benutzungsordnung) of the Potsdam University Library.
- If you would like to order media using Interlibrary Loan, you will need an additional interlibrary loan account. Please refer to an information desk in one of our departmental libraries or to the Interlibrary Loan Department to register for interlibrary loan services. Please note that reproductions for commercial purposes may not be ordered via interlibrary loan (§60e UrhG).