Universität Bonn

University and State Library

New Students

A warm welcome to the University of Bonn! We’re delighted to see that you’re interested in the USL and its services. This web page contains all the information you need to get started as a first-semester student.

Find out more about us!

We’ll supply you with the literature you need for your studies, furnish you with further information and provide spaces to study and work that are tailored to suit different needs and requirements.

Drei Studierende betrachten etwas auf einem Laptop.
© Volker Lannert / Universität Bonn

Learning Snack

Get to know the ULB interactively.

Are you new to the University of Bonn and would like to get to know the library interactively? Or you simply want to refresh your knowledge about our services? Then join us for our Learning Snack.

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Brief introductions at the beginning of the semester

We organize brief introductions entitled “How do I use the library?” at the start of every semester.

Why not take a sneak peek now in our video all about using the USL. It will give you some initial information on:

  • Applying for a library card
  • Setting up your user account
  • Borrowing items and working in the library
Short introduction: How to use the MNL Branch Library (on-site)
MNL Branch Library
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Just starting out in your studies or not set foot in the library yet? You would like to get to know the new bonnus search portal? We regularly run brief ...
Short introduction: How to use the Main Library (on-site)/bonnus
Main Library
01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Just starting out in your studies or not set foot in the library yet? You would like to get to know the new bonnus search portal? We regularly run brief ...

Applying for a library card

You will need a valid library card before you can use any of the services at the USL Bonn. You can apply for one quickly and easily online

Your card can be used in the Main Library, the MNL Branch Library and the Library of Mathematics.

Studierende verlassen das Hauptgebäude
© Barbara Frommann / Universität Bonn

It’s all new in bonnus?! — How do I log in?

Searching for literature

The University libraries hold a large number of printed media (monographs and periodicals) on site.

All the collections can be searched for using our bonnus search portal, which also contains open-source and licensed e-media complete with full-text access. To start your search, go to our homepage.

Main Library

Studying the humanities, social sciences, law, economics, theology or psychology?

Then you’ll find literature for your studies in the Main Library at Adenauerallee 39–41.

MNL Branch Library

Studying medicine, natural sciences or agricultural sciences? 

Then the MNL Branch Library at Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 4 is just the right place for you.

Faculty libraries

Needless to say, the relevant faculty library will also hold literature on your subject.

Find a workspace

Looking for a quiet individual workspace in an atmosphere that’s conducive to concentration?

Over 500 of the spaces available in the Main Library and MNL Branch Library can be reserved by University members.

Besides video and working spaces, we also provide group study areas, which only students at the University of Bonn are allowed to book.

Reading room in the Main Library
Reading room in the Main Library © Volker Lannert / Universität Bonn

Frequently asked questions

You can find the “Mein Konto” (“My Account”) login link right underneath the bonnus search field on the homepage.

Your user number is the number on the back of your library card. You can choose your own password.

Our bonnus search portal will tell you which library, if any, holds the book you’re after. You will see its location and the shelf mark you need in order to find the book on the shelves. 

The Main Library and MNL Branch Library keep their collections in stacks. Some of these are freely accessible, while others have to be ordered.

In addition, some items cannot be taken off the premises but can only be used on site.

Our “Borrowing and Ordering” page tells you everything you need to know about the various borrowing statuses.

The textbook collection of the Main Library is on the first basement floor and constitutes a separate section of the open stacks. The textbook collection of the MNL Branch Library is partly on the ground floor and partly on the first basement floor.

It has been put together exclusively for students at the University of Bonn and contains a sizable number of copies of the most common and most important textbooks for individual subjects arranged systematically.

Find the shelf mark of your chosen book on bonnus and then get it from the shelf yourself!

Students at the University of Bonn can use our range of licensed e-media from home.

All you need to do is install a VPN client. This will allow you to log into the University network and access all our full-text documents from the comfort of your home using your Uni-ID and your chosen password.


Contact

Main Library

Contact

+49 228  73-7525

information@ulb.uni-bonn.de

Address

Adenauerallee 39-41
53113 Bonn

MNL Branch Library

Contact

+49 228 73-3405

benutzungmnl@ulb.uni-bonn.de

Address

Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 4 
53115 Bonn


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