University of Warsaw LibraryUniversity of Warsaw Library

Annex to the Regulations of the Library and Information System
of the University of Warsaw
Regulations for Accessing BUW Collections
Chapter I
General provisions
§ 1
1. These Regulations define the rules for accessing the collections and services at the University of Warsaw Library, further referred to as BUW.
2. BUW collections, the information system and facilities are public goods. Detailed information defining the rules and how to access the collections and services are available to the public.
3. Accessing BUW collections and services is free. However, the user pays charges for services specified in the “Price list for services at the University of Warsaw Library (BUW)”.
4. Terms of accessing electronic resources are determined by the terms of the license and BUW internal rules.
5. Rules for accessing the collections available at the University of Warsaw Library which do not constitute property of the Library may be determined by separate provisions.
6. BUW processes personal data of its users in accordance with the Regulation of the European Parliament and the EU Council 2016/679 of 27 April 2016 (GDPR) and the Act of 10 May 2018 on the protection of personal data. Personal data is processed only for the purpose of performing the tasks of BUW and libraries of UW academic units in terms of user service using a joint IT system. The scope of the processed data is specified in § 22 (3) of the Statute.

Chapter II
Eligibility to access the collections
§ 2
1. The collections of the University of Warsaw Library are available to holders of valid library cards, who are required to present them each time they enter BUW, as well as on every BUW employee’s or security officer’s request
2. In these Regulations the following documents are considered a library card:
a) for UW students – an Electronic Student Card (ELS), a library card issued by BUW or any other document based on the contactless MIFARE standard with a visible eleven-digit number;
b) for UW doctoral students and UW employees – an Electronic PhD Student ID (ELD) and an Electronic Employee ID (ELP), a library card issued by BUW or any other document based on the contactless MIFARE standard with a visible eleven-digit number;
c) for UW graduates – an Electronic Alumni Card (ELA), a library card issued by BUW or a different document based on the contactless MIFARE standard with a visible eleven-digit number;
d) for users from institutions with which UW has signed relevant agreements – a document specified in these agreements or a library card issued by BUW;
e) for other users of legal age or users over 16 years of age who provide a written consent of their legal guardian according to the template specified by the head of the Circulation Department – a library card issued by BUW or a different document based on the contactless MIFARE standard with a visible eleven-digit number;
f) other document approved by the head of the Circulation Department
3. All cards specified in (2) require registration. The registration takes place at BUW upon presentation of a valid ID card. Owners of ELS, ELP or ELD cards can independently register their cards online.
4.Users acquire the right to use the BUW collections and services after signing a statement confirming that they have read these Regulations and the Privacy Policy in force at BUW, upon registration of the library card.
5. The user has the right to have one library card.
6. Entitlements arising from the possession of a library card are not transferable. BUW shall not be held responsible for the use of a library card by any third party until the owner blocks the library card. Authorisation for another person may be issued according to the template specified by the head of the Circulation Department, only in exceptional cases (e.g. illness, disability, other unforeseen occasions) and for a specified period not exceeding six months.
7. Every owner of a valid library card specified in (2) is entitled to use the collections on site, while authorized users are entitled to loan outside BUW.
8. The following authorized users are entitled to borrow outside BUW:
a) all UW employees, including the retired,
b) students and doctoral students of all types of studies at the University of Warsaw,
c) visiting professors at UW,
d) members of the UW Alumni Club after they meet the conditions set by the UW Alumni Club in agreement with BUW,
e) professors and persons with a post-doctoral degree from outside UW upon presentation of an identity card issued in Poland,
f) users of the institutions with which UW has signed relevant agreements,
g) libraries of UW academic units,
h) other libraries and institutions with the approval of the head of the Circulation Department,
i ) persons entitled to a deposit account;
j) persons who have graduated from the University of Warsaw, after meeting the requirements specified by BUW.
9. Library cards are issued for a specified period of time and are subject to prolongation.
10. The deposit account referred to in (8) (i) is regulated by the following rules:
a) after obtaining the consent of the head of the Circulation Department and paying the deposit, the right to open a deposit account is granted to doctoral students who are affiliated with UW via a thesis advisor, upon presentation of a recommendation from them;
b) a deposit account is valid for 12 months from the date of its creation and payment of the non-refundable fee for the account management;
c) the deposit is returned immediately upon the user’s written request (which shall include, among others, the bank account number) after settling the liabilities towards BUW or after reducing the deposit by the amount of outstanding liabilities;
d) the request for the return of the deposit shall be submitted to the Circulation Department within 12 months from the account expiry date; not submitting the request within the indicated period is tantamount to a resignation from applying for the refund of the deposit.
11. In the case of deposit accounts opened before the date of application of these Regulations, the following rules for the return of the deposit apply:
a) BUW sends a notification to the e-mail address assigned to the user’s account about the expiration of the account’s validity and the possibility of collecting the deposit within 12 months from the date of sending this notification;
b) after receiving the notification the user is obliged to submit a written request for the return of the deposit;
c) not submitting the request within 12 months since the date of sending the notification from BUW is tantamount to a resignation from applying for the refund of the deposit.

Chapter III
Access to collections
§ 3
1. BUW collections are available to users in accordance with entitlements referred to in Article 2 (7) and (8):
a) on site,
b) by lending outside the Library,
c) through interlibrary loan,
d) via computer network in the case of electronic resources,
e) via digital library in the case of digitised resources.
2. The rules for borrowing electronic book (e-book) readers at BUW are specified in separate provisions.
3. Upon registration of a loan and return of library materials the user shall check their library account and report any remarks within five working days to the Circulation Department.
4. Accessing library collections through the Circulation Desk and Interlibrary Loan, in the Main Reading Room, in the reading rooms of special collections, and through the usage of self-service devices (SelfCheck kiosks) is possible only if the user has no obligations towards any library of the UW library and information system.
On-site access
§ 4
1. BUW collections can be accessed in reading rooms, the Open Stacks, individual work booths and group work rooms.
2. The usage of the Open Stacks, reading rooms and individual work booths is specified in the internal rules of BUW.
3. Collections in the Open Stacks and the Main Reading Room (except collections requested from the closed stacks may be used by readers independently in publicly accessible areas.
4. Library materials stored in the closed stacks or reference collections that are not available to borrow outside BUW, should be ordered only to adequate reading rooms.
5. Items delivered to the reading rooms but not accessed within five days, excluding Sundays, holidays and days when the reading rooms are closed, are returned to the closed stacks.
6. Information about the reason for not delivering materials can be obtained in the reading rooms.
7. The Main Reading Room, in addition to its own collection, provides materials imported from other libraries through the interlibrary loan.
8. All users can use the computers located in the Open Stacks area and their own computers, in accordance with separate rules for using computers at BUW.
9. Specially marked computers and individual work booths for people with disabilities are excluded from free access. Authorisation for the use of the equipment mentioned above is issued by the University of Warsaw Office for Persons with Disabilities.

Borrowing outside the Library
§ 5
General rules
1. BUW loans its collections to individual users and institutions that have a valid library card, mentioned in Article 2 (8) of these Regulations.
2. BUW does not loan materials classified as „non-circulating” or “on site access only”, specifically:
a) items from reference collections of BUW organizational units;
b) items from special collections;
c) most of encyclopedias, dictionaries, bibliographic publications and other publications of reference character;
d) periodical publications;
e) newspapers;
f) books published between 1919-1950;
g) items in poor state of preservation,
h) unbound offprints and reprints of small size and volume,
i) items that are rare, difficult to purchase or containing numerous tables, maps, illustrations and engravings or files with loose sheets of paper;
j) cimelia;
k) microforms;
l) items from the Open Stacks marked with a red sticker or a red dot.
3.  The restrictions referred to in (2) do not apply to loaning the materials for domestic and foreign exhibitions, which are determined by separate provisions.
4. The restrictions referred to in (2) (a) (c) (d) and (l) may, for a limited period (up to 14 days), be suspended for persons with disabilities, upon presentation of an authorisation from the UW Office for Persons with Disabilities, but without the possibility of renewal.
5. Users who provided their email address upon registration with BUW receive the following system notifications:
a) about the approaching deadline for the return of borrowed library materials;
b) about the completion of ordered materials;
c) about a failure to return the borrowed item in time (reminders).
6. The user is responsible for failing to return the borrowed library materials in time, regardless of the causes which rendered it impossible to receive the reminders sent by BUW.
7. In regard of ordering books the following rules apply:
a) ordered books and unrealized order slips are kept for five days, excluding Sundays, holidays and days when the Circulation Desk is closed;
b) users can obtain information about the reason for not delivering the ordered book at the Circulation Desk;
c) Items unavailable at the time of ordering can be reserved via the online catalogue;
d) a reserved book shall be picked up from the Circulation Desk within five days from the day of receiving a notification about the possible pick-up, excluding Sundays, holidays and days when the Circulation Desk is closed.
8. BUW has the right to set earlier deadlines for the return of materials which are particularly sought after. In this case, the return periods specified in Articles 6 and 7 (1) are not applicable.
9. The user may renew a borrowed item no sooner than 14 days before the return date, if the following conditions are met:
a) the item has not been reserved by another user in the meantime;
b) the return date of this item or any other item on the user’s account has not passed;
c) the user’s account is still valid;
d) there are no outstanding fees on the user’s account.
10. The user can renew a borrowed item online, in person at the Circulation Desk or at a SelfCheck kiosk. Regardless of the reader’s entitlements, a book may be renewed no more than five times in a row, each time for 30 days since the day of the renewal, with the exception of books borrowed for shorter periods, which have a renewal period consistent with their loan date.
11. Failure to meet the due date entails:
a) a fine for failing to return an item in time specified in the “Price List for services at the University of Warsaw Library (BUW)”;
b) suspension of lending rights until the settlement of obligations towards BUW;
c) suspension of the right to use the following services of the Main Reading Room: access to the library materials from the closed stacks and to keys to the individual work booths, until the settlement of obligations towards BUW;
d) suspension of the right to use the special collections reading rooms;
d) in case BUW pre-recovery activities (sending a reminder to an e-mail address) are not effective, undertaking steps to recover overdue payments, including judicial enforcement of claims and filing for an entry in the National Debt Register (applies to the citizens of Poland).

Loans to individual readers
§ 6
BUW loans:
a) up to 20 vol. for up to 90 days — to UW employees and doctoral students;
b) up to 15 vol. for up to 60 days — to professors and persons with a post-doctoral degree from outside UW who are holders of an ID card issued in Poland;
c) up to 10 vol. for up to 30 days – to UW students of all undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs;
d) up to 3 vol. for up to 30 days – to other individual readers with borrowing rights.

Interlibrary Loan
§ 7
Loans from the Library’s own collections to libraries and other institutions
1. BUW loans:
a) up to 20 vol. for up to 30 days – to libraries of UW academic units;
b) up to 10 vol. for up to 30 days – to other domestic libraries and institutions;
2. Interlibrary loan does not cover the works mentioned in Article 5 (2).
3. Instead of loaning the original, BUW may create a secondary document (a copy) of the selected item at the expense of the ordering person, in compliance with the copyright law.
4. Information about the unrealised orders is instantly returned to the ordering library stating the reason for non-performance of the order.
5. The cost of sending the ordered items by post is covered by BUW, and the cost of returning by the ordering party.
6. The ordering library commits to secure the borrowed materials, return them within a specified period and incur costs related to their damage or loss.
§ 8
Incoming materials from other libraries
1. BUW brings and provides access to materials from Polish and international libraries in the Main Reading Room for UW staff and students with a valid library card.
2. If an item is not available in any library in Warsaw, it may be ordered from another Polish library. If an item is not available in any Polish library and is not available in the form of an electronic full-text material, it may be ordered from a foreign library.
3. The costs of bringing items from other libraries are defined in the “Price list for services at the University of Warsaw Library (BUW)” and shall be covered by the user.

Chapter IV
§ 9
Special collections
The Special collections of BUW are stored in the Departments of special collections, hereinafter referred to as Departments. These collections include the following categories of resources:
1. early printed books, published until 1800;
2. printed materials published between 1801-1918;
3. manuscripts;
4. maps, atlases and globes;
5. musical prints and audio-visual materials;
6. drawings, engravings, printing matrices and graphical tools, book plates, artistic reproductions;
7. ephemera (leaflets, posters, postcards, aperiodic magazines, stamps, photographs etc.).
§ 10
Accessing the special collections
1. Special collections are available to all holders of valid library cards.
2. Readers can access the collections only in the Departments’ reading rooms.
3. Readers who would like to access special collections of the following Departments: Early Printed Books Department, Manuscripts Department, Maps Department, Music Department, Print Room and Ephemera Department shall submit their request to the Information Desk. Upon presentation of a valid library card the reader will receive a pass card to the special collections area.
4. During the first visit to any of the Cabinet’s reading rooms the reader is obliged to fill in and sign a declaration.
5. During all visits to the Departments’ reading rooms the reader shall present a valid ID document or a valid library card and register in an electronic or traditional visitors log.
§ 11
1. Materials that are particularly valuable, in poor condition or not fully catalogued can be accessed only upon the permission of the Heads of the Departments.
2. In case of not acquiring such permission, users can appeal to the Library’s Director.
3. If the requested material is available in the form of a microfilm or a digital copy, the original may be accessed in justified cases only.
4. The librarian on duty decides about the number of materials that can be accessed at once by the user.
5. In cases of large queries, accessing materials which are especially protected or conducting studies which demand a large number of materials accessed at once, the Departments shall be informed in advance. Date and form of accessing the materials shall be established in consultation with the Departments via traditional or electronic mail or by phone.
6. In principle, the reference collections of the Departments can be accessed in the Departments’ reading rooms. In justified cases, books from the reference collections may be ordered to the Main Reading Room in accordance with applicable regulations.
7. Orders are completed during the working hours of the closed stacks in the Departments, not later than an hour before the closing time of the Departments’ reading rooms.
§ 12
1. While accessing the special collections users are obliged to obey the following rules:
a) the workspace for the user is always assigned by the librarian on duty. The materials shall be accessed only on a table with the surface larger than the surface of the accessed material in form of an opened book or unfolded one-sheet object (e.g. an engraving, a map, a drawing or a poster etc.)
b) the materials shall be placed flat on the table. If the materials’ structure prevents such arrangement, the user shall use supports, wedge-shaped pads or reading desks provided by the librarian on duty;
c) the volume cards must be turned carefully, gripping the paper at the corner or outer edge, never at the spine;
d) while turning cards the user is forbidden to hold any objects (e.g. a pencil) in their hands;
e) single-sheet objects should be moved with extreme caution, by holding the card (in case of objects without protective fastening) or passe-partout with both hands in the centre of the side edges, without turning it over. The objects may be turned over to view the reverse, the paper or the watermark (filigree) only with the consent and assistance of the librarian on duty. Passe-partouts of single-sheet objects cannot be opened without the consent of the librarian on duty;
f) before starting work with the object, the user should remove any jewellery (bracelets, rings, pendants, etc.) that may damage the structure of the library materials, and elements of clothing (shawls, scarves, etc.) that may touch the surface of the object;
g) it is not allowed to interfere with the structure of objects or damage them by bending cards, corners, underlining, sticking or placing sheets of notes and other items on the object or its protective fastening, etc.;
h) in case of unbound materials, the order of the cards must not be changed. Any comments on the order of cards should be reported to the librarian on duty;
i) any notes should be made only outside of the surface of the library material with a pencil or an electronic device. It is forbidden to use pens, highlighter pens, markers etc.;
j) it is forbidden to eat or drink in the Departments’ reading rooms, including drinking water in screw cap bottles;
k) bags, backpacks and outerwear shall be left in the cloakroom on level 0 or in the lockers in front of the Departments.
2. Particularly valuable objects should be viewed using gloves designed for working with library materials. The librarian on duty decides whether the use of gloves is necessary.
3. The user bears full material responsibility for the object entrusted to them. Any damages or defects should be immediately reported to the librarian on duty.
4. It is not allowed to take the objects out of the reading rooms.
5. In matters not covered by these regulations, decisions regarding access to the original objects and reference books are made by the Head of the Department or the librarian on duty.
§ 13
Reproducing special collections
1. Objects from special collections can be photographed with the user’s own equipment (digital camera, tablet or smartphone, etc.) with the flash and sound switched off. It is forbidden to use private scanners or other devices that require contact with the object.
2. The user shall be particularly careful when copying objects with their own equipment. The objects may be photographed only in a place indicated by the librarian on duty and under their supervision.
3. The user can order digital reproductions from the Imaging Services, which are provided for a fee in accordance with the rates listed in the Price list for services at the University of Warsaw Library.
4. No photocopies are made of special collections.
§ 14
Lending of special collections outside the Library
1. Special collections cannot be borrowed outside BUW by individual users.
2. Lending of special collections to external institutions is determined by the rules set out in the document “Procedure for lending objects from the BUW collections to external exhibitions”.

Chapter V
Austrian Library
§ 15
1. The Austrian Library in Warsaw, further referred to as “Austrian Library”, is an autonomous Department of BUW.
2. The usage of collections and services of the Austrian Library is free of charge, however the user pays fees in accordance with the rates listed in the ““Price list for services at the University of Warsaw Library (BUW)”.
3. The collections of the Austrian Library are available in Open Stacks.
4. The collections of the Austrian Library are available on site to all holders of valid library cards.
5. The collections of the Austrian Library intended for borrowing outside are lent to the users registered in the Austrian Library. All holders of valid library cards can register in the Austrian Library.
6. Each user registered in the Austrian Library can borrow three books from the collection intended for borrowing outside the library for 30 days. This limit is valid until 30 September 2021 and will be then replaced with the rules stated in Article 6.
7. The readers have the right to renew the date of return of the borrowed books.
8. At the request of the employees responsible for the Austrian Library, the Director of BUW may grant the right to borrow the collections of the Austrian Library outside of BUW to persons other than those indicated in Article 2 (8).

Users’ duties and responsibilities
§ 16
1. Users are required to comply with these Regulations, the internal rules of individual BUW departments, as well as instructions and order regulations in force at BUW.
2. The Circulation Desk shall be instantly notified of any change in the personal data and, in particular, home address, e-mail address, and the loss of a library card. The consequences of neglecting this duty shall be borne by the cardholder. A duplicate library card may be obtained after reporting the loss or damage of a library card.
3. Confirmation of the lack of obligations to BUW is issued at the request of the person to whom this confirmation applies at the Circulation Desk on a printed certificate or electronically.
4. The user bears full liability for any damage to library items undisclosed at the time of borrowing them.
5. In the event of damage or loss of an accessed work, the following rules apply:
a) the reader is required to provide an identical copy;
b) the reader is required to incur the handling charges related to the substantive and technical editing of a new copy. In justified cases, the reader is also required to bear the costs of binding;
c) if this is impossible to provide an identical copy, BUW shall determine the fee for lost or damaged item in accordance with the guidelines for pricing of library materials at the University of Warsaw Library;
d) the costs of settled obligations are non-refundable;
e) the damaged item remains the property of BUW;
f) the reader is required to return any book found with BUW ownership marks.
6. Taking items owned by BUW outside its territory without fulfilling the mandatory procedures, destruction of said items, or failure to abide by generally accepted standards of social behaviour is recognized as a breach of these Regulations.
7. A breach of these Regulations shall entail:
a) a request to immediately leave BUW;
b) temporary or perpetual deprivation of rights resulting from holding a library card;
c) an application to the competent authorities for a suitable penalty.
8. Sanctions listed above are not mutually exclusive, and these Regulations do not replace and do not preclude the application of generally applicable laws.
Final provisions
§ 17
1. BUW produces secondary documents (copies) from their own collections, the libraries of UW academic units, and in justified cases also of works obtained via interlibrary loan. Additionally, BUW provides its users with self-service copiers and printers. A BUW employee has the right to refuse to copy particularly valuable or damaged library materials.
2. In the creation of secondary documents, the provisions of copyright law shall apply.
3. Resolution of matters not provided for in the provisions of these Regulations is the responsibility of the Director of the University of Warsaw Library. The BUW Director’s decision may be appealed before the UW Rector.

The basis for obtaining a BUW library card is:

1. in the case of a card authorising the use of the collections on site:
   1. a valid identity document with a photograph and PESEL number;
   2. for foreigners: a passport or other identity document with a photograph (for instance a school ID card, a driving licence, a residence card or an ID card);
2. in case of a card entitling to use the collections on site, as well as to borrow them outside the Library:
   1. UW students: a valid identity document with a photograph and PESEL number (registration on the basis of data from the USOS system), foreigners – passport, residence card or ID,
   2. students studying within the framework of interuniversity programmes (MOST): a valid identity document with a photograph and PESEL number,
   3. UW postgraduate students: a valid identity document with photo and PESEL number and a certificate from the faculty if the student is not registered in the USOS system,
   4. persons doing short-term studies, research internship or benefiting from other forms of education at UW and not receiving indexes: a valid identity document with a photograph, address of residence, PESEL number and a certificate from a teaching unit of the UW (Certificate Form for a student/postgraduate student; Certificate Form for a trainee/scholarship holder),
   5. UW employees: a valid identity document with a photograph and PESEL number and if there is no information about employment in USOS (e.g. in the case of a contract of mandate or a contract for specific work), a document confirming employment,
   6. UW external doctoral students who can only use a deposit account: a certificate from a UW promoter, a valid identity document with a photo and PESEL number, a permission of the Requests and Complaints Office at BUW to create a deposit account.

I. General Principles:

1. The Library’s premises and its equipment serve solely scientific, educational, and creative or artistic work purposes. Other activities within the Library are permitted only with the consent of the BUW Director.
2. The generally accepted principles of social conduct and personal behaviour applicable in public places are in force at the University of Warsaw Library.
3. To maintain appropriate conditions for study and work, Users are obliged to use the Library’s premises in a manner consistent with its intended purpose.
4. Users are obliged to use the collections in accordance with the The Rules of Accessing of the University of Warsaw Library Collections and Special Collections https://www.buw.uw.edu.pl/en/practical-information/rules/, to comply with the rules of conduct in force at the BUW, as well as the announcements and instructions of BUW staff and Security.
5. Library staff and Security have the right and obligation to draw the attention of Users who violate these regulations, and in justified cases – to refuse them the right to remain on the BUW premises.
6. The obligations of persons staying on the BUW premises and the additional powers of Security staff are regulated by the BUW’s internal procedures and the Rules of Conduct of the University of Warsaw Library (update of 10th May 2025).
7. The powers of Security staff are regulated, among other things, by: the Act of 22nd August 1997 on the Protection of Persons and Property (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 1995, as amended); the Act of 24th May 2013 on Measures of Direct Coercion and Firearms (Journal of Laws of 2022, item 1416, as amended), the Regulation of the Council of Ministers on the detailed procedure for the actions of security employees of 19th December 2013, item 1681, as amended.

II. Users are obliged to:

1. Possess a valid library card authorising entry to the BUW and the necessity to scan it upon entering and leaving the Library.
2. Refrain from entering the Library in outerwear and from bringing in rucksacks, briefcases, bags, handbags, etc. Entry to the BUW is permitted with one piece of luggage with dimensions up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm and a small handbag with dimensions up to 20 x 15 x 10 cm.
3. Leave outerwear, umbrellas, large rucksacks, bags, etc. in the cloakroom or self-service lockers; locker keys are issued by the Security staff at the BUW entrance.
4. Present the contents of brought-in rucksacks, bags, etc. to Security for inspection each time before entering and when leaving the BUW.
5. When using the General Reading Room and the reading rooms of special collections departments, leave all luggage in the lockers located by the reading rooms; locker keys are obtained at the Information Desk or in the special collection departments upon presentation of a valid library card.
6. Maintain silence within the Library premises, especially in the reading rooms and individual study booths.
7. Use the BUW’s resources responsibly and in accordance with their intended purpose, i.e., respect for collections, computer equipment, and other Library furnishings. Any noticed damage or malfunctions should be reported immediately to Library staff, and in their absence – to Security staff.
8. Maintain order at their workspace, returning used collections only to the designated places (library trolleys, librarians’ desks in the reading rooms).
9. Possess a printed confirmation of book loans from the BUW and present it, along with the borrowed books, to Security staff upon leaving the Library if the magnetic gate alarms. The following printouts are mandatory:
   • For books borrowed on the same day – a printout of the loan confirmation.
   • For books borrowed on a different day – a registration form (valid on the day of issue) available from Security staff. Note: the form must be completed immediately after entering the Library.

III. It is forbidden to:

1. Engage in behaviour that disrupts order or is bothersome to other Users, including loud conversations, playing loud music, removing shoes.
2. Use the Library’s premises for overnight stays, sleeping for extended periods (not including short, restorative naps), lying and sleeping on sofas or the floor, bringing in personal sleeping mats, blankets, pillows, as well as using toilets for bathing, washing clothes, or for purposes other than basic physiological and hygienic needs.
3. Any action causing damage to BUW property, and especially to library materials during their use (e.g., underlining text, opening books spine-upwards, making photocopies by pressing an open book against the copier glass, damaging the stitching or binding of the spine).
4. Bring in and consume food and drinks within the Library (with the exception of water in tightly closed containers or bottles).
5. Bring into the Library dangerous items and substances, i.e., those that may pose a threat to the building or persons (all bladed weapons, projectile weapons, firearms, and pneumatic weapons, knives, pressurised gas, gas sprays, flammable, explosive, toxic, oxidising substances, those posing a health or environmental hazard, corrosive substances, etc.).
6. Smoke tobacco products and e-cigarettes, and take intoxicating substances or consume alcohol.
7. Enter the Library while intoxicated, under the influence of intoxicating substances, or with clear signs indicating a failure to observe personal hygiene rules.
8. Disconnect computers and peripherals located in the Open Access area.
9. Enter areas designated exclusively for BUW staff by unauthorised persons, including in the Open Access area.
10. Leave personal belongings of the User unattended. The Library is not responsible for them.
11. Remove library collections, as well as items and equipment belonging to the Library, from the premises without completing the required formalities.

The regulations come into force on 12th May 2025.

List of charges.

I. General rules

1. Access to BUW’s Reading Room is limited to individuals with a valid BUW library card and a clear library account (free of outstanding dues).
2. The Reading Room is exclusively for readers requesting materials from closed stacks or reference collections of Special Collection Departments.
3. No outer garments, bags, backpacks, etc. are allowed in the Reading Room; visitors may only bring essential items like a phone, laptop, slim notebook, and stationery. The librarian determines what qualifies as outer clothing and the permissible materials.
4. Readers must scan their library card upon entry to the Reading Room and leave it with the librarian for the duration of their stay.
5. Materials used must be returned before leaving the Reading Room, regardless of the reason for leaving.
6. Readers must use requested materials only in designated areas as directed by the librarian for monitoring purposes.
7. Only one person is permitted per workstation, including the librarian’s desk.
8. The librarian can decline requests for copies if they consider the collection particularly valuable or in poor condition.
9. Any behaviour that poses a risk to the safety of the collections is strictly prohibited.

II. Detailed rules

1. All orders made in the Reading Room are recorded in the library system.
2. The process for placing orders (form, mode and processing time ) follows these specifics:
   • Orders can be made via the online catalogue or CKK (Digital Card Catalogue), selecting the Reading Room as the collection point.
   • Order processing includes.
     • orders placed from Monday to Friday until 7 pm are fulfilled on the same day,
     • orders placed from Monday to Friday after 7 pm are fulfilled the next day,
     • orders placed on Saturdays after 4 pm or during closed Reading Room days are fulfilled on its next open day.
   • Order processing time typically takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour.
3. Each reader’s library account can hold a maximum of 10 volumes/packages of books and magazines from the Reading Room at any given time.
4. After reaching the access limit, new orders for additional volumes can only be placed upon returning the previously used volumes.
5. Readers can change the pickup location of an ordered volume (from Reading Room to Lending Library or Bookshelf and vice versa) after returning it and placing a new order, provided the volume is available elsewhere.
6. Readers can reserve a book or magazine for 7 days and extend its return date up to three times (each for 7 days).
7. A notification is sent one day before the due date to the reader’s registered email address for items set aside in the Reading Room.
8. Items ordered for the Reading Room not collected within 3 days are returned to closed stacks.
9. Materials from the closed stacks must be returned to the Reading Room service desk at least 30 minutes before closing time (Monday to Friday by 8:30 pm, Satrurdays by 5:30 pm).
10. Ordered materials can be copied using the self-service photocopier or scanner in the Reading Room, or through online orders via BUW Imaging Services.

I. BUW’s special collections include the following categories of library holdings stored in the Special Collections Departments, hereafter referred to as Departments:

1. 1. old prints, published up to 1800;
   2. prints published between 1801 and 1918;
   3. manuscripts;
   4. maps, atlases and globes;
   5. musical prints; and audiovisual collections;
   6. drawings, engravings, stencils and graphic tools, ex-librises, artistic reproductions;
   7. documents of social life (leaflets, posters, postcards, one-day newspapers, stamps, photographs, etc.).

II. Use of BUW’s special collections.

1. Special collections may be used by all users possessing a valid BUW library card.
2. Special collections may be used by users only in the reading rooms of the Departments.
3. Users wishing to use the collections in the Departments: Early Printed Books, Manuscripts, Maps, Music, Ephemera and the Print Room report their desire to visit the Information Desk, where, after showing a valid library card, they are given an access card to the special collections area.
4. Upon the initial visit to any of the Departments’ reading rooms, users must complete and sign a declaration.
5. During each visit to the reading rooms of the Departments, the user must present a valid ID document or a valid library card and be registered in the electronic or traditional visitors’ book.

III.

1. Original objects of significant value, those in a delicate state of preservation, or those yet to be processed, are accessible only with approval from the respective Department head.

2. Should consent not be granted as mentioned in point 1, the user has the option to appeal to the BUW Director.

3. In instances where a requested object exists in microfilm or digital format, access to the original will be granted only in warranted situations.

4. The librarian on duty determines the quantity of items that can be accessed by the user at any given time.

5. For inquiries about specific materials, ordering sensitive items, or conducting extensive research requiring access to a larger volume of objects, it’s necessary to coordinate the order’s date and method of execution beforehand. This coordination should be done by reaching out to the relevant Department through correspondence, email, or phone communication.

6. The reference collections of the Departments are accessible for viewing in their respective reading rooms. Under warranted circumstances, books can also be requested to be delivered to the Reading Room, following the guidelines for accessing collections in that particular room.

7. Orders will be processed within the operating hours of the Departments’ storage areas, with completion no later than one hour before the reading room’s closing time.

IV.

1. When accessing special collections, users are required to adhere to the following rules:
   1. the librarian on duty will designate the specific area for the user. The object should be placed on a surface larger than regular library materials, such as an open volume or unfolded single-sheet object (like a figure, map, drawing, or poster);
   2. ensure the object lies flat on the table. If its structure prevents this, utilize supports, wedge-shaped pads, or desks provided by the librarian on duty;
   3. when handling volumes, carefully turn pages, using fingers at the corners or outer edges, avoiding gripping the spine.;
   4. avoid holding any objects, such as a pencil, while rearranging pages.;
   5. when handling single-sheet objects, follow these steps: Use both hands to interleave cards (for items without protective mounting) or passe-partout in the middle of their side edges, without flipping them over, with particular care. Permission and guidance from the librarian on duty are required to view the reverse side or the paper’s watermark (filigree). Opening mounts (passepartout) of single-sheet objects are not permitted without the librarian’s permission;
   6. prior to working with an object, remove any jewelry (bracelets, rings, pendants, etc.) that might harm the library materials’ structure, as well as any clothing items (scarves, neckerchiefs, etc.) that might touch the object’s surface.;
   7. prohibited actions include altering the structure of the objects by bending pages, corners, underlining, gluing, placing note cards, or any other objects onto the object or its protective mounting;
   8. in loose materials, maintain the original order of cards. Any proposed changes to the card sequence should be communicated to the librarian on duty for consideration;
   9. limit note-taking to areas outside the library material using a pencil or electronic device. The usage of pens, markers, highlighters, and similar items is not permitted;
   10. consumption of food or drinks is prohibited within the Departments’ reading rooms. This restriction extends to water in bottles with screw-tops;
   11. bags, backpacks, and outerwear should be stored either in the cloakroom on Level 0 or in the lockers positioned in front of the Departments.
2. When handling particularly valuable library materials, gloves designed for working with such materials may be required. The decision to use gloves will be determined by the librarian on duty.
3. Users are wholly responsible for the materials entrusted to them. Any damage or shortage must be promptly reported to the librarian on duty.
4. It is strictly prohibited to remove provided objects from the reading rooms.
5. For matters not explicitly covered by these regulations, decisions concerning the accessibility of original objects and handheld books are at the discretion of the head of the relevant Department or the librarian on duty.

V.Reproduction of collections

1. Items categorized under special collections can be photographed by users using their personal equipment (such as a digital camera, tablet, or smartphone) with the flash and sound turned off. However, users are prohibited from using their own scanners or any devices that require direct contact with the object.
2. Careful attention must be paid when copying objects using personal equipment. Photography is permitted only in the designated area as directed by the librarian on duty and under their supervision.
3. Users have the option to request digital reproductions for a fee from the Imaging Services office, as outlined in the pricing list available in the Warsaw University Library’s Price List. Photocopying of special collections is not provided.
4. Photocopies of special collections are not made.

VI. Lending of special collections beyond the library premises.

1. Special collections are not available for borrowing by individual users outside of BUW.
2. Lending special collections to external institutions is subject to specific rules formulated in the document “Procedure for Lending Objects from BUW Collections to External Exhibitions”.

1. The Regulations specify the terms and conditions governing the use of the pick-up locker owned by the University of Warsaw Library (referred to as BUW hereinafter) .
2. The pick-up locker may be used by users who:
   1. possess a valid library card with an expiration date that exceeds the system-imposed due date for returning the ordered book,
   2. have no outstanding obligations to BUW or other UW libraries, such as fines, retaining borrowed books past the due date, or a blocked account,
   3. hold the privilege to borrow books outside BUW, as detailed in paragraph 6 of the Regulations for Accessing BUW Collections,
   4. maintain an adequate number of available spaces on their library account, not fewer than the number of copies ordered for pick-up at the locker..
3. Only orders for books from the UW Libraries Online Catalogue with the location “BUW Magazyn” (Closed Stacks) with the status “Available”, are delivered to the pick-up locker.
4. The pick-up locker cannot be used for:
   1. reservations for items already borrowed by someone else,
   2. orders for CD-ROMs, books from the faculty libraries and the Digital Card Catalogue.
5. Materials ordered are delivered to the pick-up locker within the BUW departments’ working hours, not exceeding 3 times a day.
6. The order can be placed in one or multiple lockers.
7. The readiness of the order for pick-up at the locker is confirmed when the status of the ordered copies changes to “Available for pick-up” in the reader’s account. Users are notified via email about the availability of the ordered copies three times a day.
8. Materials ordered to the pick-up locker are held for pick-up according to the deadline specified in the email (3 days). If not collected within this timeframe, the order is automatically canceled, and the materials return to the Closed Stacks.
9. If all lockers are occupied, the ordered books are relocated to the Circulation Desk for pick-up.
10. To retrieve the ordered materials from the pick-up locker, users must log in using their library card number and the assigned password for their library account.
11. If an order spans multiple lockers, the user can choose which lockers to access.
12. At the moment of pick-up, the books requested to the pick-up locker are registered as borrowed on the reader’s account.
13. The locker cannot be accessed to collect ordered books if, at the retrieval time:
    1. the library account is invalid,
    2. the library account’s expiration date is earlier than the due date of the requested book.,
    3. the library account is blocked (due to fines or retaining borrowed books past the due date),
    4. the number of books in the locker exceeds the available spaces on the library account. Note: An attempt to collect books in this situation will block the locker, but the system will register borrowing only for the available spaces on the library account. The books will remain in the pick-up locker until a routine review is conducted.
14. Once the library account is renewed, and any obligations to BUW or other UW libraries are resolved, the user can access the locker containing the ordered books. Returning the books won’t unlock the locker in situations specified in paragraph 13, letters b and d.
15. The pick-up locker is not intended for returns. Books borrowed from the pick-up locker can be returned at the return box, self-check stations, or the Circulation Desk.
16. These Regulations take effect upon their announcement.

I. General provisions.

1. Individual work booths for researchers, hereinafter referred to as ‘booths’, are located in the Open Stacks Area of the University of Warsaw Library (BUW) on level III (above the subject area A-Z).
2. BUW provides two types of booths:
   1. 1. one-day booths;
      2. 14-day booths.
3. Professors, assistant professors and doctors (PhDs) employed at the University of Warsaw are entitled to use all types of booths; professors, assistant professors and doctors (PhDs) from outside the University of Warsaw are entitled to use only one-day booths.
   A condition for the use of a booth is the possession of a valid BUW library account and the absence of any arrears on that account.
   Booth services, i.e. issuing keys and accepting their return and checking equipment in the cabins, are provided by librarians on duty in the BUW Reading Room.

II. Requesting, reserving, cancelling, prolonging a booth.

1. Requesting (applies to available cubicles), reserving (applies to occupied booths) and renewal of a booth key are performed independently by authorised BUW users after logging in to their library account in the UW Libraries online catalogue.
2. Requesting, reserving and renewing does not apply to one-day booths.
3. A user may reserve or borrow only one booth key.
4. To collect a key to a booth, the user has to come to the Reading Room within 3 days:
   1. from the date of placing a request in the UW Libraries’ online catalogue – in the case of available booths;
   2. from the date of receiving an e-mail notification about the possibility of collecting the key – in the case of reserved booths (previously occupied by another user).
5. The expiry date of the booth reservation can be found on the reader’s account in the ‘Requests’ tab (status: On Hold Shelf).
6. Failure to collect the key by the expiry date will be considered as cancellation of use.

III. Borrowing and returning of the booth key.

1. The key to the booth is borrowed from the Reading Room upon presentation of the User’s BUW library card. The borrowing is registered on the library account.
2. Keys are borrowed during the Reading Room opening hours.
3. A key for a 14-day booth is borrowed for 14 working days. The duedate for its return may be renewed three times for further 14 working days counted from the date of the renewal, provided that:
   1. there are no reservations made by other Users for that booth;
   2. the deadline for returning either the key or the copy of the book that is on the User’s library account has not passed;
   3. the expiry date of the library account has not passed;
   4. there are no outstanding charges on the library account.
4. Renewal is possible no sooner than 3 days before the designated key duedate.
5. The key for a one-day booh is made borrowed for one day.
6. One-day booths are borrowed without prior reservation by the first eligible User who requests it in the Reading Room on a given day.
7. BUW provides 3 one-day booths. Their users may be independent researchers employed at the UW. One of these booths is also made available to independent researchers and post-doctoral fellows not employed at UW.
8. The key to the booth remains in the possession of the user who borrowed it for the entire period of use. The key may not be made available to third parties.
9. Before returning the key, the User is obliged to remove all materials and personal belongings that were in the booth during its use.
10. If the booth key is not returned within 14 working days of the specified return date, BUW reserves the right to open the booth by commission and remove any items that are not booth equipment.
11. The user will be informed by e-mail about the emptying of the booth. Personal belongings not collected from the BUW Administrative Office will be forwarded to the Lost Property Office of the Warsaw University Library, 15 Dzielna Street, 14 days after the information is sent.
12. Failure to return the key by the due date results in the blocking of the User’s library account. If a booth key is lost or destroyed, the user will be charged a fee, the amount of which is specified in the Warsaw University Library Fee Schedule.

IV. Using the booth.

1. All booths are equipped with a workstation (desk, lamp and chair) and computers with Internet access and software for creating your own documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). It is forbidden to bring other equipment belonging to BUW into the individual work booths.
2. The user is obliged to report non-functioning or damaged booth equipment to a Reading Room employee immediately.
3. Users may also use their own equipment in the booths. A manual is available in the booths to help you configure your own computer to connect to the internet via BUW connections. However, computers configured in this way remain outside of BUW’s network, so the use of local peripherals (printers) through them is not possible.
4. The computers in the booths should be used in the following way:
   1. All your own files should be placed on disk D in a directory created for your needs, but the Library is not responsible for data temporarily stored on D-drive (they are not subject to archiving).
   2. After paying a fee (in accordance with the BUW price list), it is possible to print your files.
   3. Before returning the key to the booth, please delete your own files from D-drive. BUW is not responsible for files left on D-drive.
5. Only the User who borrowed the key to the booth may stay in the booth.
6. In the booth the User may use:
   1. library materials from the Open Stacks that have not been borrowed, with the provision that the User is obliged to put them on the library trolleys each day after using the booth;
   2. books previously borrowed by the User, which may also be left in the booth each day after using the booth, but only on the condition that a confirmation of their borrowing is also left with them;
   3. own materials with the possibility of leaving them in the booth overnight;
   4. technical equipment, the use of which is permitted by the Regulations for Accessing BUW Collections or the Rules of Conduct in force at BUW.
7. Materials requested to the Reading Rooms of Special Collections, from the Interlibrary Loan, published before 1919 and copies of doctoral theses from the UW Repository may not be transferred to the booth.
8. A user may use no more than 10 volumes/packages of books and journals from the Closed Stacks in the booth at any one time. These materials may remain in the booth until the end of the first 14-day access period. After that, the User may renew them three times for another 14 days according to the current rules if they continue to use them in the booth.
9. The user is obliged to keep the booth they use tidy and to lock the booth each time they leave it. The user is materially responsible for the library collection and equipment in the booth.
10. BUW is not responsible for personal belongings left in the booth.
11. BUW reserves the right to inspect the booth borrowed by the User.

V. Final Provisions.

1. Complaints and requests should be submitted to Room 143a (Requests and Complaints Office at BUW) during the hours listed on the BUW website or by email to reklamacje.buw@uw.edu.pl.
2. In all matters not covered by these rules, the provisions of the Regulations for Accesing BUW Collections and the Rules of Conduct shall apply.
3. These Regulations take effect upon their announcement.

I. General provisions.

1. Individual work booths (student booths) are exclusively for students and doctoral students of the University of Warsaw; they are located in the Open Stacks area of the University of Warsaw Library (BUW) on level II.
2. Selected booths are made available for one day, the rest are made available for a period of fourteen days (fourteen-day booths).
3. Only students and doctoral students of all types of degree programmes at the University of Warsaw, generally referred to as Users, are entitled to use the student booths, provided they have a valid BUW library account and no arrears on that account.
4. The service of student booths, i.e. issuing keys and accepting their return, as well as checking equipment in the booths, is provided by the Information Desk.

II. Requesting, reserving, cancelling a booth.

1. Requesting and reserving applies to booths borrowed for fourteen days.
2. One-day booths are not to be requested – they can be borrowed without prior reservation to the first eligible User who requests it at the Information Desk on that day. One-day booths are also not subject to reservation.
3. Requesting (applies to available booths) and reserving (applies to occupied booths) are performed independently by authorised BUW users after logging in to their library account in the UW Libraries online catalogue.
4. A user may reserve or borrow only one booth key.
5. Booking of all currently occupied 14-day cabins is permitted.
6. To collect a key for a 14-day booth, please report to the Information Desk within 3 days:
   1. from the date of placing a request in the UW Libraries’ online catalogue – in the case of available booths;
   2. from the date of receiving an e-mail notification about the possibility of collecting the key – in the case of reserved booths (previously occupied by another user).
   3. The expiry date of the booth reservation can be found on the reader’s account in the ‘Requests’ tab (status: On Hold Shelf).
7. Failure to collect the key by the expiry date will be considered as cancellation of use.

III. Borrowing, renewing and returning of the booth key.

1. Booth keys are borrowed during opening hours of the Information Desk after the User has presented their BUW library card. The borrowing is registered on the User’s library account.
2. One-day booths can only be used on a given day, during the Information Desk’s opening hours (BUW’s opening hours are available at buw.uw.edu.pl).
3. A key for a 14-day booth is borrowed for 14 working days. The duedate for its return may be renewed three times for further 14 working days counted from the date of the renewal, provided that:
   1. there are no reservations made by other Users for that booth;
   2. the deadline for returning either the key or the copy of the book that is on the User’s library account has not passed;
   3. the expiry date of the library account has not passed;
   4. there are no outstanding charges on the library account.
4. Renewal is possible no sooner than 3 days before the designated key duedate.
5. The key to the booth remains in the possession of the User who borrowed it for the entire period of use. The key may not be made available to third parties.
6. The key must be returned no later than 15 minutes before the closing time of the Information Desk.
7. Before returning the key, the user is obliged to take away all materials and personal belongings that were in the cabin during its use.
8. If the booth key is not returned within 14 working days of the specified return date, BUW reserves the right to open the booth by commission and remove any items that are not booth equipment.
9. The user will be informed by e-mail about the emptying of the booth. Personal belongings not collected from the BUW Administrative Office will be forwarded to the Lost Property Office of the Warsaw University Library, 15 Dzielna Street, 14 days after the information is sent.
10. Failure to return the key by the due date results in the blocking of the User’s library account. If a booth key is lost or destroyed, the user will be charged a fee, the amount of which is specified in the Warsaw University Library Fee Schedule.

IV. Using the booth.

1. Only the User who borrowed the key to the booth may stay in the booth.
2. The booths are equipped with a workstation (desk, lamp and chair). It is forbidden to bring other equipment belonging to BUW into the individual work booths.
3. The user is obliged to report non-functioning or damaged booth equipment to an Information Desk employee immediately.
4. In the booth the User may use:
   1. library materials from the Open Stacks that have not been borrowed, with the provision that the User is obliged to put them on the library trolleys each day after using the booth;
   2. books previously borrowed by the User, which may also be left in the booth each day after using the booth, but only on the condition that a confirmation of their borrowing is also left with them;
   3. own materials with the possibility of leaving them in the booth overnight;
   4. technical equipment, the use of which is permitted by the Regulations for Accessing BUW Collections or the Rules of Conduct in force at BUW.
   5. Library materials that have previously been made available for presentation in the BUW Reading Room may not be moved to the student booths.
5. The user is obliged to keep the booth they use tidy and to lock the booth each time they leave it. The user is materially responsible for the library collection and equipment in the booth.
6. BUW is not responsible for personal belongings left in the booth.
7. BUW reserves the right to inspect the booth borrowed by the User.

V. Final Provisions.

1. In all matters not covered by these rules, the provisions of the Regulations for Accesing BUW Collections and the Rules of Conduct shall apply.
2. Complaints and requests should be submitted to the Information Desk.
3. These Regulations take effect upon their announcement.

General provisions

1. Group work rooms are located in the Open Stacks area of the University of Warsaw Library (BUW) on level II (rooms 264 and 265). They can be used for groups of up to 20 people.
2. The rooms are available during the opening hours of BUW.
3. All BUW users with a valid library card are entitled to use the rooms.

Use of the group work rooms

1. Group work rooms are equipped with workstations (tables, chairs, whiteboards).
2. It is not allowed to bring other equipment belonging to BUW into the rooms, i.e. poufs, chairs, etc., or to take equipment out of the rooms.
3. In the group work rooms BUW users can use:
   a. library materials from the Open Stacks that have not been borrowed, with the reservation that readers are obliged to put them away on the library trolleys when they have finished using the room;
   b. one’s own materials,
   d. technical equipment the use of which is allowed under the Rules for Accessing BUW Collections and Regulations for the Use of the University of Warsaw Library.
4. BUW does not take responsibility for personal belongings left in the rooms.
5. The user is obliged to keep the room tidy. The user is materially responsible for the library materials and equipment in the room.
6. BUW staff and security staff have the right to inspect group work rooms.

Possibility of reserving group work rooms

1. For members of the UW community (students and doctoral students of all types of studies conducted at the UW, UW postgraduate students, UW employees), it is possible to reserve a room for one-time events: conducting surveys, interviews, working on a project, a focus group, meeting of a student research group (“koło naukowe” in Polish), etc.
2. People from outside the University of Warsaw are not allowed to book group work rooms.
3. Room reservations are not possible two weeks before and during the exam session.
4. Room reservations can be made by contacting the Information Desk: informacja.buw@uw.edu.pl at least 1 day in advance.

In the message, please include:

1. 1. your library card number,
   2. nature of the event,
   3. the date and time period of the reservation.

Only requests sent from an email address from the (student).uw.edu.pl domain will be considered.

1. Confirmation of the reservation is provided via an email from a staff member of the Information Desk.
2. If you need to cancel your reservation, please email informacja.buw@uw.edu.pl or call the Information Desk: +48 22 55 25 178 / 179.
3. Information on room reservation is always displayed on the room door, which is the basis for room usage.

Final provisions

1. Complaints and requests should be submitted to the Information Desk or by e-mail to informacja.buw@uw.edu.pl.
2. In all matters not covered by these rules, the provisions of Regulations for Accessing BUW Collections and Regulations for the Use of the University of Warsaw Library shall apply.

General provisions

1. Self-service lockers, hereafter referred to as lockers, are located in the Open Stacks, in the cloakroom and on level -1 of the Warsaw University Library (BUW) building.
2. Only BUW users with a valid library account free of any dues are entitled to use the lockers.
3. The borrowing of a locker key is recorded on the reader’s account.
4. A reader may only borrow one locker key. Borrowing a key does not reduce the borrowing limit of books assigned to a library account.
5. The locker key must not be made available to third parties.

Borrowing and return of the locker keys

1. Keys to the lockers located in the Open Stacks area:
   1. on levels 1 and 3 are borrowed from the Information Desk from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 9 pm,
   2. keys to lockers in front of the Reading Room are borrowed from the Reading Room from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 9 pm,
   3. the keys must be returned the same day at the place where they were borrowed, during the agenda’s working hours.
2. Keys to the lockers located in the cloakroom and on level -1 can be borrowed for 24 hours at the security desk by the entrance. Lockers located in the cloakroom are intended for users with special needs.

Using the locker

1. When using a self-service locker, the reader is obliged to take care of the proper locking of the locker and the safe keeping of the key together with the barcode tag attached to it. Any damage to lockers or lost items found at the lockers should be reported immediately to the Information Desk or Reading Room staff.
2. Before returning the key, the user is obliged to take away all materials and personal belongings that were stored in the locker during its use.
3. If a locker key is not returned, BUW reserves the right to open the locker by commission after the key return time. Personal belongings left in the locker will be deposited in the Administration of BUW; books and journals from BUW will be placed in the collection. The user will be informed by e-mail when the locker has been emptied. Items left in the box can be collected in room 235 at a time agreed by telephone (tel. 22 55 25 060, 22 55 25 653). Items not collected from the Administration within 14 working days will be forwarded to the Lost Property Office of the City of Warsaw, Dzielna Street 15.
4. If a key is lost, destroyed or not returned by the due date, the library account will be blocked and a fee will be charged in accordance with the Price list for services at the University of Warsaw Library:
   1. for keeping a key to a self-service locker after the set return deadline for 1 day – PLN 5 (maximum PLN 50),
   2. for a lost or damaged key or lock to a self-service locker – PLN 50.
5. It is forbidden to store in the lockers:
   1. food, tobacco and alcohol products and other intoxicating substances and hazardous materials.
   2. library materials from the Open Stacks that have not been borrowed on reader’s account (in the case of borrowed materials, a receipt confirming the borrowing must be left).

Final provisions

1. Complaints and requests concerning the self-service lockers should be reported to the staff of the Information Desk or the Reading Room.
2. Failure to comply with the above Rules will result in the blocking of the use of self-service lockers.
3. In all matters not covered by these rules, the provisions of the Regulations for Accesing BUW Collections and the Rules of Conduct of the University of Warsaw Library (BUW) shall apply.
4. The Rules enter into force on the date of their publication.
5. BUW is not responsible for personal belongings left in the lockers.

1. Priority access to computers is reserved for users engaged in browsing resources and utilizing electronic services provided by the University of Warsaw Library for research, teaching, and learning purposes at the university level.
2. To access the internet on Library computers via a wired network (zone on level 1) or wirelessly on a personal laptop (WiFi network available in the Open Stacks area), users must:
   1. hold a valid library account,
   2. authenticate the account by entering their library card number and password.
3. Internet access on Library computersis limited to 3 hours per day*, with the option to extend it by an additional hour on the same day for research, teaching, or learning purposes at the university level. Extension procedures can be carried out at the Information Desk using the user’s library card number.
4. Access to computers adapted for users with disabilities is available upon presenting a certificate from the Office for Persons with Disabilities at the University of Warsaw.
5. Library staff members are not obliged to configure personal laptops for internet access.
6. Users utilizing Library computers must adhere to the following regulations:
   1. prohibited actions include any activities causing damage to Library computers, their accessories, or disrupting network and software functionalities.,
   2. users are restricted from altering computer configurations, attempting to breach IT security, circumventing internet time limits, or sharing unlawful or copyrighted content. Distribution of commercial content, spam messages, computer viruses, or engaging in commercial activities using the Library network is strictly forbidden. Users are not allowed to share internet connections with third parties.
7. Users bear sole responsibility for their internet access, including content sent and any potential legal liabilities arising from their account usage. They are accountable for any misuse or consequences arising from third-party access due to negligence in safeguarding passwords or logging out after a session.
8. Failure to comply with these regulations or improper internet use may result in immediate termination of computer station use and further actions in line with the Rules of Use of the Warsaw University Library Collection. The Library reserves the right to temporarily or permanently revoke internet access and seek compensation for damages resulting from non-compliance.
9. The outlined sanctions are not mutually exclusive, and these regulations do not supersede or compromise generally applicable laws.

* Note:As of 2019, the limitation of internet access time has been abolished..

These regulations governing computer use at the University of Warsaw Library come into effect upon announcement, revoking the Directive from May 25, 2006 (Zarządzenie nr 1/2006 Dyrektora Biblioteki Uniwersyteckiej w Warszawie).

Approved usage of databases encompasses:

• Searching, browsing, and reading materials accessible through licensed UW resources online.
• Utilizing publisher platform functions to download PDFs and other available files.
• Printing PDF article files for personal, private, scientific, educational, and research purposes.
• Creating personalized user accounts in specific databases to manage search outcomes, citations, folders, file downloads, and preferences.
• Downloading e-books or excerpts (where available) and organizing them on a virtual shelf (where provided).
• Employing downloaded and read materials for personal scientific endeavors (research, study) while adhering to copyright guidelines and consistently citing the precise source.
• Sharing materials from databases exclusively with authorized individuals (such as University of Warsaw students and staff) for collaborative research, study, etc.

Restricted actions concerning database usage:

• Sharing login credentials (card number/ELS number and password) for licensed databases with individuals external to the student community and UW employees.
• Distributing any downloaded materials from databases to third parties outside the student community and UW employees.
• Granting third-party access (from outside the student community and UW employees) to articles via email.
• Posting materials obtained from databases on publicly accessible websites or distributing them in any form.
• Storing downloaded materials from databases on external servers or portals.
• Copying downloaded materials onto multiple devices not owned by an authorized user.
• Altering downloaded materials for further sharing.
• Failure to credit the source and authorship when incorporating materials into personal scholarly or research works.
• Engaging in commercial activities involving downloaded materials, such as sales, distribution, or online sharing.
• Utilizing external software to access licensed databases.
• Bulk and automated (using software) downloading of files and other data.
• Executing operations that negatively impact the service’s functionality through illicit means or technical interference.

Important information to consider:

• We kindly emphasize that all UW electronic resources are accessible under publisher licenses, monitored and regulated by the respective publishers.
• Any unauthorized activities conducted by users could lead to website disconnection and/or temporary suspension for the entire UW community, along with potential legal ramifications.
• Should you have any queries regarding resource usage, we recommend reviewing the comprehensive terms of use available in the footer of each page (commonly listed as: Terms of Use, Terms and Conditions, Terms of Service, User Permissions, Copyright, etc.).

Appendix to the Regulations for accessing BUW collections

1. E-book readers along with the publications and materials selected from the Amazon offer placed on them are loaned at the Circulation Desk in BUW only to holders of a valid library card authorising them to borrow collections of the University of Warsaw Library.
2. A user who intends to use an e-book reader is required to read these rules and accept its terms.
3. An e-book reader is loaned for up to 30 days. The user has the right to renew the item three times, each time for further 30 days counted from the day of the renewal, provided that:
a) the reader has not been ordered by another user;
b) their library account is free from any obligations towards BUW or faculty libraries.
4. The user may have only one e-book reader on their account. Borrowing a reader does not decrease the user’s borrowing limits for the collections of BUW.
5. Each reader is equipped with a USB cable, a protective cover and an instruction manual. At the time of borrowing a reader, the user is obliged to check its technical condition and completeness of the equipment. By borrowing a reader the user confirms that they have received a well-functioning reader with complete equipment. The user bears full responsibility for any damage to the reader undisclosed at the time of borrowing and discovered upon its return.
6. Before borrowing a reader the user should check its availability in the UW libraries catalogue online (instructions for checking and ordering readers in the Practical information tab on the BUW website – link).
7. Readers may be reserved. The device awaits pick-up for 5 days from the date of sending the user a relevant notification by email. To reserve a reader the user shall meet the following conditions:
a) have no obligations on their library account;
b) hold a valid library card.
8. The University of Warsaw Library provides its users with access to selected titles from Amazon’s offer, which can be used under the license.
9. The reader has the right to use an e-book reader as well as publications and materials downloaded to it by themselves or by BUW, only for their own use, in accordance with applicable licenses and legal regulations.
10. In the case of stating the use of e-books contrary to the law or the provisions of these Rules, the Library may seek appropriate claims against the user.
11. The user is obliged to take proper care of the e-book reader and to use it in a manner consistent with its purpose and the instruction manual.
12. The user is obliged to delete all downloaded publications and materials which have been saved in the memory of the device during its use before returning it to the library. The reader should be returned in a non-deteriorated condition, with at least half-charged battery, and complete additional equipment referred to in (5). In the case of non-fulfillment of any of the conditions, the employee of the Circulation Desk may refuse to accept the return of the reader.
13. The user is obliged to return the reader in time. Return of a reader after the due date entails charging a fee for failing to return a reader in time (fees are defined in the Price list for services at the University of Warsaw Library, Table 5. Sanction fees) and suspension of the rights to use the services of the Circulation Desk and the Main Reading Room until the settlement of obligations towards the Library. Moreover, the Library reserves the right to enforce its claims in court and apply for an entry in the National Debt Register.
14. The user bears full responsibility for the loss of a reader and is obliged to buy it (the same model or a newer one) on their own.
15. In the case of the loss of or damage solely to the additional equipment of a reader, the user shall pay the equivalent to the Library. The fees are defined in the Price list for services at the University of Warsaw Library, Table 5. Sanction fees.
16. In the case of discovering damage to the reader when returning it to the Circulation Desk, the user covers the cost of its repair, and if it exceeds the value of the device, they shall buy a new reader.
17. Returns are accepted only at the Circulation Desk of BUW during its opening times.
18. Violation of these rules entails temporary deprivation of rights resulting from holding a library card, referred to in the Regulations for accessing BUW collections.

BiblioWawa Warsaw Reciprocal Borrowing Programme