The Silesian Library

Books may be borrowed by adults enrolled in the library and by persons over 13 years of age with the guarantee of a parent or legal guardian (parent’s or legal guardian’s presence is required, as well as presenting to the staff ID cards of the parent/legal guardian and the minor). In all other cases, the collections can be used on site in the reading rooms.

What are the conditions for borrowing books?

• books are ordered electronically to the Lending Department, through terminals located in the library, as well as online through the individual user account,
• orders placed an hour before the closing of the Lending Department are carried out the next day,
• books not collected from the Lending Department within 4 days are sent back to storerooms,
• books may be borrowed only upon presentation of a valid library card. The owner of the library card is responsible for all loans made with their card.

What is the library’s borrowing limit?

• the holder of a library card is entitled to borrow 10 volumes for a period of 4 weeks,
• students, doctoral students and scholars (including foreign) of higher education institutions who have concluded a cooperation agreement with the Silesian Library, after submitting the document indicated in the agreement, are entitled to borrow 10 volumes for a period of 4 weeks,
• researchers, who have presented a document certifying their status as a university researcher, are entitled to borrow 20 volumes for a period of 8 weeks,
• foreigners are entitled to borrow 2 volumes for a period of 4 weeks.

The deadline for returning borrowed books can be extended four times, if they have not been reserved by other readers. Returns are accepted at the Lending Department (the 24-hour return of books is also possible through the book drop box).

An extension can be made no later than the due date for returning the books:

• through an individual user’s online account,
• in person at the Lending Department,
• by phone: (+48) 32 208 37 48.

Fees for retention, destruction or loss of collections:

• fee for keeping a collection beyond the specified date – PLN 1,50 per document, for each week of delay,
• fee for sending a reminder: 3,90 PLN for the first reminder, 6,80 PLN for each subsequent reminder, and 9,80 for the pre-trial summons,
• fee for destruction or damage to collections – the amount due is assessed according to the value of the damage,
• fee for lost collections – fee according to the rules of using the collections.

Avaiable payment methods:

• in the Silesian Library, at the Lending Department (by cash or by card),
• by e-payment Pay-U,
• by bank transfer to the Silesian Library account:
  Santander Bank Polska S.A. 21 1090 1186 0000 0001 4306 5831.

Lending Department
plac Rady Europy 1, 40-021 Katowice
tel.: (+48) 32 208 37 48
Information available during the Silesian Library’s opening hours.

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