Reference Services
The Library Guidance Department is responsible for providing library patrons with individual and group guidance on the use of the library and its reference services. Instruction includes: finding their way in the library, using the library catalog, using the library’s electronic resources and bibliographic computer programs.
The Library extends a warm welcome to all who enter.
Any questions or requests should be directed to the Reference Staff.
The Reference Desk is located on the 4th floor.
The Reference Desk provides service from 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday - Wednesday, 10:00 - 15:00, Thursday.
Contact us:
Telephone: 02-5882068
E-mail: educlib@savion.huji.ac.il
Computing
Dedicated terminals open to the general public without the use of a username and password are available throughout the library for the purpose of searching the catalog. However, they cannot access the internet.
All floors of the library are connected to an open Wi-Fi network known as "Huji Guest".
Access to the digital services of the library is limited to Hebrew University students and faculty, who must identify themselves with a user name and password.
Guidance on Searching Library Resources
During the first two weeks of the academic year the library offers daily courses on getting acquainted with library resources. Look for updates on the library’s home page or at the Circulation Desk on the entrance level of the library.
Bachelor’s Degree students are required to sign up for a course, "Library Resources" (course no. 74122). Access to the course is by way of "Moodle".
Preparing Bibliographies
Different systems are in use for quoting bibliographic sources. It is recommended to consult course instructors on the system they prefer.
The main systems for quoting sources used in the Humanities and Social Sciences are:
- APA – American Psychological Association
- MLA – Modern Language Association
- Chicago Manual of Style
Bibliographic Computer Programs
The programs assist students and faculty to organize bibliographic sources necessary for writing reports and articles. Patrons of the Hebrew University Library enjoy access to the Sciwheel (formerly F1000) and EndNote Web programs through all university computers and by "remote access" from other computers.
Patrons can also use, without payment, other bibliographic programs such as Mendeley or Zotero.
Circulation Rules
Books are lent on the basis of presentation of an up-to-date reader’s card. A student card serves the purpose.
Readers are responsible for checking their reader’s card as to whether their book loans are still valid.
Updating or changing personal information requires the reader’s presence at the Circulation Desk.
If a reader’s card is lost, the Circulation Department should be notified immediately and a new reader’s card ordered through the university’s Student Tuition Department.
Contacting the Circulation Department
Circulation Desk: 02-5882066
Reserved Books Desk: 02-5883285
E-mail: edjsw_circ@savion.huji.ac.il
Student cards also serve as reader’s cards.
New students receive their cards in the mail.
Previously enrolled students receive a validation sticker in the mail and they must update the card’s validity with the library.
Student cards are issued by the student tuition office.
Book Borrowing Privileges
Eligibility for a reader’s card |
Documents needed |
Borrowing privileges |
Hebrew University students |
Valid student card |
|
Heb. University faculty/staff |
Faculty/staff card |
|
Visiting lecturers/ researchers |
Official university authorization |
Up to 50 books from the general collection & up to 2 reserve books |
Heb. University employees without tenure |
Employee card & employment contract |
|
Heb. University pensioner |
Pensioner card |
|
Hebrew University graduate |
Hebrew University graduate's card (obtainable at the Graduates' Office, tel.: 02-5882890) + NIS 300 a year |
|
Faculty & master’s/doctoral students from other Israeli universities |
Letter of responsibility from the central library of their institution |
Up to 10 books from the general collection & 1 reserve book |
Course auditors (Machon Magid) |
Authorization to audit course + ID card |
|
Friends of the University |
“Friends” card + ID |
|
Others – it may be possible to pay for a reader’s card. For more information ask at the Circulation Desk |
|
|
Length of Loan
Type of Item |
Period of Loan |
Books from the general collection |
1 week (or not at all, in exceptional cases) |
Books from the reserve collection |
Usually 1 day (in exceptional cases, 3 days or 3 hours) |
Reference books, dictionaries, encyclopedias |
Cannot be borrowed (in exceptional cases, up to 1 week) |
Laptop computers |
During Library hours |
Dictionaries (English-Hebrew-Arabic) |
1 day |
Earphones, office equipment in group study rooms, other equipment |
During library hours
|
Chargers for cell phones |
3 hours |
Journals |
Cannot be borrowed |
Books from the closed collection (in the circulation department) |
During library hours |
CDs from Media Department: films & music |
Varies: 3 hours or 1 day |
Extension of Book Loans*
Books that have been borrowed for up to 3 days or up to 7 days will normally be extended automatically for up to one year.
Circumstances under which the loan period will not be extended:
- Another reader requests it
- The reader’s card is no longer valid
- The reader owes money to the library
The reader will be notified by email if the book cannot be extended beyond a certain date
Book Requests
Books may be requested, only if all copies of the book are listed in the catalog as having been borrowed. The reader must order a copy through the catalog. If, for some reason, the book cannot be ordered through the catalog, the request should be referred to the Circulation Desk.
When the requested book has returned to the library, an email notice will be sent to the reader who requested it.
Textbooks will wait for pickup at the circulation desk for 3 days while academic books will wait there for 7 days. After that they will be returned to the shelves.
Book Returns
- Readers are responsible for the books they borrow, including keeping up-to-date on when it must be returned, through the reader’s card.
- Readers who hold books they no longer need are requested to return them to the library.
- The library is entitled to demand the return of a needed book even before its listed return date.
- A reader who declares that the borrowed item has been lost or returns it damaged will pay its cost plus NIS30 handling cost. The reader is entitled to acquire an identical and undamaged copy and present it to the library instead.
- During library hours, books must be returned to the circulation desk of the library from where it was borrowed.
- When the library is closed, books may be returned as follows:
- Education Library – in the book returns box at the library entrance
Fines
Late book returns will be fined, as follows:
- Books from the general collection that were specially requested – NIS 10 for every day that a book is returned late, including Fridays, Shabbats, holidays, and days that the university is closed according to schedule.
- Reserve books – NIS 3 for every hour of delay, or NIS 30 for each day a book is returned late.
- Books that were borrowed by special permission, and were returned late, will be treated the same as books that were specially requested.
The Library Authority is entitled to update the schedule of fines, as it sees fit.
Recurring late returns, late returns which harm other students, or unpaid fines will be treated as follows:
- The reader's card will be blocked
- Service will be refused to the reader
- The reader's personal data sheet in the university will be blocked, and he or she will not be allowed to participate in exams.
Interlibrary Loan
The interlibrary loan service allows readers to order books and articles from other libraries within the Library Authority, as well as from other academic libraries in Israel and abroad.
The service is free to students, researchers, academic and administrative faculty for research and teaching purposes. Course auditors and paying outside readers are not included in the free service and must pay for the service.
Who is allowed to order?
Anyone with a valid reader's card.
Copyright
Book orders are subject to the Copyright Law. Accordingly, it is forbidden to photocopy, print, or scan the major part of a copyrighted work without the express permission of the copyright holder.
A "fair use" exception is made for copies used for personal study, research, critiques, surveys, press reports, or instruction or examination in an educational institution.
Disregard of these instruction is a violation of the law
How to Order
Interlibrary loan orders can be ordered by means of an online form in the library’s catalog under the tag "interlibrary loan".
Before filling out an order please sign in to the library system with your Huji mail and password or temporary code.
Before requesting an Inter-Library Loan, check in the catalog that the book is not owned by the library.
Contact Us:
Telephone: 02-5881529
E-mail: eswlill@savion.huji.ac.il
Booking of Study Rooms
Computing and Networks
There are 40 computer workstations throughout the Library, located in all 3 floors.
Also, there are many electrical outlets near the work stations for use in laptop computers.
The library also has a laptop that may be borrowed for 3 hours intervals, and 7 sets of headphones which also may be borrowed for 3 hour at a time.
Mobile Printing
Print jobs may be sent both within and from outside the campus via the internet. This fee-based service requires sending an email to:
Payment is by credit card only.
Printing, Copying and Scanning
Printers
The library has black and white printer in floor 3
Payment for printer is by credit card.
Scanners
There are two scanners in the library: in 3 and 5 floors.
The scanners are available to the students free of charge.
Borrowing Laptops and Other Equipment
The library also has 3 laptops that may be borrowed for 3 hours intervals, 7 sets of headphones which also may be borrowed for 3 hour at a time and digital dictionaries.
Accessibility
On the main level of the library, there is a workstation for disabled users, which includes a large screen to accommodate the visually impaired, an enhanced keyboard, control of the table height via remote control and a sound amplifier.