Services
Request a book loan or an article
Use the Library search engine to find books, articles and more.
Books on loan
If you find a book that is only available in print, you can ask to borrow it. Here's how. The service is available in Spain and Andorra.
How it works?
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Make a request
Find the book you're looking for with the Library search engine, log in if you haven't already done so, and click on Borrow.
Choose the delivery method:
- the UOC's network of centres in Barcelona, Lleida, Reus, Salt or Tortosa (prior appointment required)
- Jaume Fuster library in Barcelona
- home delivery: if none of these are near you, we can send it to your home in Spain or Andorra (check the terms and conditions).
View or cancel your loans from My Account, in the search engine itself.
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Pick it up
You will receive a notification at your UOC email address when the book is available at the pick-up point
If you've chosen to pick it up from one of the centres in Barcelona, Lleida, Reus, Salt or Tortosa, you'll have 4 or 5 working days to book an appointment and go and pick it up.
You must always have your UOC card on you.
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Return or renew
You can renew your loans before their due date provided the books have not been reserved by someone else. You can do this from My Account (in the search engine itself).
You can return the book at:
- the UOC's network of centres in Barcelona, Lleida, Reus, Salt or Tortosa (prior appointment required),
- at most UOC points
- Jaume Fuster library in Barcelona,
- the returns box at the entrance to the UOC centres Barcelona, Salt and Tortosa (no appointment required),
- courier or registered post (view the terms and conditions).
Expand your search
Request an item from another university library in Catalonia
Simply choose the Catalan University Union Catalogue option from the search engine's drop-down menu.
Consult the conditions for the processing of personal data relating to this loan.
Request an item from other Spanish or international institutions
If you can't find the item using the Library's search engine, fill in the form and we'll look for it elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need to bear in mind when picking up a book?
We'll send you an email to your UOC address.
You need to book an appointment to pick up books from the UOC's centres in Barcelona, Lleida, Reus, Salt or Tortosa.
You'll need to show your university card or photo ID to pick up the books.
If you want to pick a library book from another Catalan university, you'll have to show your UOC card. Check the opening hours for each of the places.
Before going the first time, you'll need to sign in to My account with your Virtual Campus username and password to automatically update your details as a user of the loan service.
How can I make an appointment?
An appointment is necessary when returning books at the UOC's network of centres in Barcelona, Lleida, Reus, Salt or Tortosa.
When using the Jaume Fuster Library and the returns boxes at the UOC centres in Barcelona, Salt and Tortosa, no appointment is necessary.
You can do this within five days after you have received notification that the book is available for collection, by making an appointment via the following links:
I cannot collect a book in person. Can I authorize someone to do it for me?
If you are unable to collect a UOC book in person, you can get someone else to do it by giving them a written authorization, but ultimate responsibility for the document will always lie with you.
The collection of books from other national or international institutions cannot be delegated to anyone else.
How can I collect and return books on UOC loan to the Jaume Fuster Library?
To pick up a book at the Jaume Fuster Library, simply select it from the drop-down menu when requesting the loan.
We will send an email to your UOC address to notify you when the book arrives. You can pick it up from the desk at the Jaume Fuster Library. You will need identify yourself with your UOC card or your identity card.
Check the opening hours for the Jaume Fuster Library. If you cannot get to the libary, you can authorize someone else to pick it up for you.
You can use the mailbox at the Jaume Fuster Library to return the book,. If you cannot return it yourself, you can get someone else to return it for you.
What if I lose a book or return it late?
You will receive a reminder at your UOC email address before the loan due date. If you're late returning a title, the service will be temporarily suspended by one calendar day per book, per day of delay.
If you lose a book, damage it or fail to return it, you must replace it and inform the Library team as soon as possible.
Can I return books I have borrowed at another university?
When returning borrowed books, you can go to another university and hand them in at the library's lending desk or place them in their external returns box.
How can I request and return a book if I live outside Catalonia?
If you live in Spain or Andorra, you should select the home delivery option when requesting your loan. We will send the book to the address listed in your account at no cost to you. You must return the book at your own cost by courier or registered post to the following address:
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya
Biblioteca DISNET. Central de Préstec
Polígon Industrial Riu Sec
08205 Sabadell (Barcelona)
Spain
How do I return a book if I work at the UOC?
If you work at the UOC, you have the option of returning it to our 22@ or Tibidabo buildings.
You must put the book in an internal mail envelope, address it to the Library's "Central de Préstec", and then leave it in the "Central de Préstec" pigeon hole for returns.
Write on the envelope:
DATA: day, month, year
DE/D': your name and surname
A: CENTRAL DE PRÉSTEC
DEPT.: Préstec
EDIFICI: DISNET (Sabadell)