FAQ Germanic Languages and Literatures library

1. Why are there no books on the shelves with the shelfmark DT?
"DT" is a prefix to the shelfmark that is required by the electronic catalog in order to allocate the book to our library. This prefix can therefore be ignored when fetching the book on the shelves.

2. How can I reserve a study space?
Using the electronic form.

3. Can I order books and journal articles in the German Studies Library online or by telephone?
The holdings of the German Studies Library can be ordered via the swisscovery University and PH Bern catalog. A registration in the Swiss Library Service Platform (SLSP) is required by registering with SWITCH edu-lD via the SLSP registration platform (free of charge).

4. Where can I make photocopies?
A photocopier is located in the Institute of Germanic Languages and Literatures on the third floor. Photocopies can also be made at the Basisbibliothek Unitobler BTO with Unicard.

5. Where can I find bachelor, master and doctoral theses that have been completed at the Institute of Germanic Languages and Literatures?
Papers and theses have the shelfmark "Br" (Brochures). They can be searched for online in swisscovery.
Br.3 older section, serial numbers from 3000 Br.6 newer section, serial numbers from 3000 Br.18 Linguistics and communication studies, serial numbers from 3000

6. How can I find journal articles or articles from periodicals on a given topic?
The search scope "UniBE and PH Bern" in swisscovery contains articles and e-book chapters from numerous e-journals and e-books. Specialized German databases are hardly taken into account, so a thorough database search is always recommended. Databases can contain full texts or just bibliographic information. The bibliographic information requires further research. Articles that are not available in the German Studies Library can be ordered through the University Library.

7. How can I obtain books or articles that I am unable to find in the German Studies Library?
Free courier services are provided within the University's libraries within Bern. Books from other Swiss libraries on the swisscovery platform are delivered by the SLSP courier service (CHF 6 per item). In the Unitobler building, you find interlibrary loan and courier services at the Basisbibliothek Unitobler BTO.