Plant Sciences

Opening hours

The Library of Plant Sciences is a publicly accessible scientific library and part of the University Library Bern (UB). Most of the collections are freely accessible and can be borrowed (except for journals and special collections). They can be searched using swisscovery.

 

 

Service

Service on Demand

Would you like a personal consultation from the library staff? You can make an appointment at any time during office hours: plantsci.ub@unibe.ch

Infrastructure

  • 6 study spaces, primarily for students of Plant Sciences. 
  • 16 daylockers, free of charge with your own padlock.
  • Journals: current year in the magazine rack, older ones on the shelves on the 1st floor, room 102. 
  • Book holdings can be found in the racks on the 1st floor, room 102.
  • Room 101, seminar room with four PC workstations, available in descending priority for teaching, maintenance work, scientific work, research.
  • Seminar room 101 for a maximum of 15 participants. 
  • Wireless LAN (eduroam)

Loan

  • You need a user account to borrow items.
  • Borrowing is done onsite with an IDS user ID or the UniCard. Registration with swisscovery is required before first use.
  • A self-lending station is available in room 102 and a return box in the foyer.
  • Lending and usage conditions are based on the University Library’s usage regulations. 

Services

For IPS employees, the Plant Sciences Library procures literature that is not available online and advises on the procurement of literature that is available online.
Peter von Ballmoos supports students and employees of the IPS in using literature databases and in searching for information in the field of botany.

Introductions

Upon request, we offer introductions on how to use the Plant Sciences Library. The duration is about 20 minutes.
Training in literature research is offered on request by the subject librarian of the plant sciences library, Peter von Ballmoos.

Further information

UB Terms of Use, Rates 

Library Holdings

Most of the holdings in the Plant Sciences Library are freely accessible and can be borrowed (except for journals and special holdings). The holdings can be searched via swisscovery.

The books are arranged according to subject groups and call numbers in the open access area of ​​the library pavilion (1st floor, room 102). Old books and special holdings are stored in the vonRoll storage magazine. They can be viewed there in the special reading room.

We do not offer interlibrary loans or deliveries by post. Copies of documents of less than 50 pages can be ordered online via swisscovery as a PDF or on paper.

The library of the Institute of Plant Sciences goes back to the book holdings of the Botanical Institute at the time of Ludwig Fischer (professor of botany from 1857 to 1897, Flora von Bern) and his son Eduard Fischer (professor of botany from 1887 to 1933, focus on mycology). They were followed in 1933-1962 by William Henri Schopfer with the main area of ​​growth substances and their effects. Over time, the library was expanded to include systematics and geobotany (particularly flora and monographs) and plant physiology. In addition, several collections and donations, some of which were extensive, were incorporated into the library collection.

Current main research areas of the Institute of Plant Sciences are molecular plant physiology, chemical ecology, plant ecology and paleoecology. This is reflected in the current book inventory. For purchase suggestions, please contact the subject specialist, Peter von Ballmoos.