Contact
Our library staff is always happy to help. Please don't hesitate to contact us in English. You can do so:
- in person:
- you can find our locations as well as our opening and service times here (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab) (in German only, Öffnungszeiten = opening times/Servicezeiten = service times, i. e. the daily time period during which we offer the full range of library services - for details please feel free to ask).
- we also offer appointments with a member of staff to discuss individual questions. In order to book an appointment, please contact us via e-mail.
- via e-mail: bibfh-dortmundde
- by giving us a call during our service times (using 0049 as the German national prefix):
- Emil-Figge-Str. 44: (0231)9112-4917
- Sonnenstraße: (0231)9112-9135
- Max-Ophüls-Platz: (0231)9112-9441
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register for library use?
If you are enrolled as a student at Fachhochschule Dortmund, you don't need to register.
FH Dortmund staff, TU Dortmund students and external users can fill in our online registration form which you can access using this link (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab) . You can pick up your library card within one week after registration. The form is in German, but you can always ask our staff for help (see contact details above).
Exchange students please be aware that, depending on your enrolment status, you might be considered an external user (e. g. if you don't have an FHCard). In this case, you need to register by filling in the form.
What is my library user number and password?
For certain library services (e. g. accessing your online library account), you need to log in using your general FH ID (FHKennung) and your password.
In order to use our self-service issue machines (Selbstverbucher) you need a four-digit PIN of your choice. Please set your PIN in your online library account by clicking "Menu" and "Library card". If you need any help with this, please let us know.
How can I find books and other types of media/literature in the library?
You can browse our (electronic and printed) media using our RiO search engine (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab) . The language can be set by clicking "Sprache" in the top right corner of the RiO homepage. RiO can be accessed from mobile devices as well as using one of the public computers in the library.
If during your search you come across a printed book that you would like to read or check out, you can find it on the shelf using the book code (Signatur) that is provided in RiO. The books are sorted alphabetically according to their book codes. E-books and other electronic content can also be found and accessed via RiO. You can usually read or even download them from the library computers. If you have any questions concerning finding books in RiO or on the shelves, our library staff will be happy to help.
In order to access our electronic media at home or using your mobile device, you need to install VPN. In case you need help with that, please contact supportfh-dortmundde
Where and how can I check out and return library books?
We kindly ask you to preferably use our self-service issue machines (Selbstverbucher) for checking out and returning media. In our Emil-Figge Library please use our self-service return machine (Rückgabeautomat) for returns. This machine is also accessible during library closing times.
If you would like to return books during our closing time in our Sonnenstraße and Max-Ophüls-Platz libraries, you can use the return boxes (Rückgabeboxen). They are located outside the library: Next to the lockers in the hallway (Sonnenstraße) / in room E38 (Max-Ophüls-Platz).
For how long can I keep library books and other media?
The lending period (Leihfrist) for our books is 90 days. In case another patron places a reservation on a book you have checked out, the lending period is shortened and you will be informed about the new due date.
The lending period for bound journal volumes (Zeitschriftenbände) and DVDs is 2 weeks.
Lending periods can generally not be renewed.
How can I reserve a book? When and how can I pick it up?
A reservation (Vormerkung) can only be made in case a book is currently checked out by another user. As soon as the user returns the book you will be notified via e-mail. After that, you can collect it from the pick-up shelf/area (Abholregal/-bereich) within 7 days after receiving the notification.
In order to place a reservation on a certain book, please proceed as follows:
- find the book in our RiO search engine (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab)
- click "vormerken/zum eigenen Standort bestellen"
- select the library you would like to pick up the book from and click "Auswahl übernehmen" to confirm your choice
- click the link "entliehen bis ..." next to the book code and library location
- enter your user number and password (see above) and click "bestätigen"
Where can I find rooms or spaces for individual and/or group study in the library?
At the Emil-Figge-Str. 44 library we offer a lot of individual workstations (Einzelarbeitsplätze). You can also book rooms for group work (Gruppenarbeitsraum) in groups of 3 to 8 students. In order to book a room, please use our online booking tool (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab) (in German only).
Our Sonnenstraße and Max-Ophüls-Platz libraries also offer workstations which you can use either individually or in groups.
Where and how can I print or scan documents in the library?
For environmental reasons we no longer offer printing, but you can scan in all our libraries. Using our book scanners is free, all you need is a USB stick. The user interface language can be set to English as well as various other languages.
How can I access the internet in the library?
You can either bring your own mobile device and access the WiFi via eduroam just like anywhere else in the Fachhochschule. Or else you can use one of our library PCs. In this case, you need to log in with your user number and password (see above).
Where and how can I pay library fines and fees?
- Emil-Figge-Str. 44: cash or cash card/debit card - please use the pay machine in the library foyer
- Sonnenstraße: cash card/debit card
- Max-Ophüls-Platz: cash card/debit card
Fines and fees that amount to a sum of at least 10 Euros can also be transferred to our bank account. If you would like to transfer money please contact us for bank details.
Please be aware that your library account will be blocked as soon as the amount due has exceeded 30 Euros (for FH students and employees) or 10 Euros (for external users). No books can be checked out with a blocked account. Please contact us for more information on how to have your account unblocked.
Does the library offer any online language courses and video tutorials for self study?
Yes! You can access online courses for 24 different languages (levels A0 up to A2 or B1) via Rosetta Stone, including German language courses. In order to register for Rosetta Stone you need an e-mail address connected to the Fachhochschule (…@fh-dortmund.de or …@stud.fh-dortmund.de). For registration please visit hbznrw.sprachen-online.eu (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab) . The registration progress is in German, but there is an English-language guide on how to register.
You can also browse the LinkedIn Learning video library for tutorials on lots of different topics such as IT, marketing, photography, software and many more. There are videos in both English and German. For registration you will need an e-mail address connected to the Fachhochschule (…@fh-dortmund.de or …@stud.fh-dortmund.de). Please register here: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/activate
If you have any questions concerning Rosetta Stone or LinkedIn Learning, please don't hesitate to ask us.
- ... general library use (e. g. checking out and returning books, loan periods, services etc.)?
- During our service times feel free to ask our staff at the issue desk. As long as the library is open you can also give us a call. And of course you can always send us an e-mail.
- ... how to find literature?
- Feel free to ask us for support, preferably via e-mail.
Please find all the contact details for the library at the top of this page.