Starter Pack for First-Semester Students

Welcome!

Are you studying in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences or in the University of Hamburg Business School? Do you need a text book or a specialist reference work for your course? Are you looking for literature on particular topics in economics, the social sciences, or business administration? Then the Library WISO/BWL is your first port of call for course and subject literature.

The Library WISO/BWL is part of the library system Universität Hamburg (German only), which also includes the State and University Library (“Stabi,” SUB).

Where are we?

The Library WISO/BWL provides literature and information at 2 locations on Campus:

• The Business and Economics Library houses literature in social economics, economics, health economics, globalization and governance, as well as business administration.
• The Social Sciences Library caters in particular to the social sciences, political sciences, criminological social research, journalism, and communication studies.

Why do you need a library card?

You need a library card to borrow, reserve, or request books and other media.

If you are a student at the University of Hamburg, you can get a library card for free. After you have completed the online registration, you can pick up your library card during library service times. Please bring your German identity card (ID) or your passport and residency registration document (Meldebestätigung) as well as your current student ID. (Online verification also possible.)

Good to know: Lockers, etc.

The library is open to all. Please make sure you understand and follow the terms of use.

You may take jackets, study materials, and drinks in sealable bottles and mugs into the libraries. For all other possessions, please use the lockers provided. In the Business and Economics Library you can get locker cards at the circulation desk. The lockers in the Social Sciences Library can be locked with a PIN of your choice.
Please take care of your valuables at all times.

Getting started: Wi-Fi and software for students

Students at University of Hamburg have full access to Wi-Fi (German only) in all parts of the library. Once you have enrolled and received a valid username, you can use the University’s Wi-Fi network. We recommend you install a VPN-Client (Virtual Private Network - German only) so that you can access online journals and ebooks, which are licenced by the University’s library system.

You can also use numerous software programs covered by the University’s campus licenses, such as Office 365 A1 Plus, SPSS (German only) or reference management tools Citavi (German only) and EndNote (German only).

Studying and working

Use the library to study and work. We offer numerous workstations for different needs.

The Business and Economics Library houses 441 individual and 300 group study workstations, 6 discussion rooms, 6 computer workstations equipped for literature searches and 53 monitor-only workstations. In the Social Sciences Library there are 116 individual workstations, 4 discussion rooms, 4 computer workstations and 20 monitor-only workstations.

We kindly ask you to respect the following rules so that you and your fellow students can make the most of studying and working. Individual workstations are for quiet work only. There are designated group and discussion rooms in the libraries. Please use the telephone at an appropriate volume only in the group work areas.

Searching for and finding literature

Are you looking for a book or a particular journal? Would you like to gain an overview of the literature available on your topic?

The Katalogplus or the Campus Catalogue are good places to start. They tell you which books, ebooks, or journals are available on the campus. Katalogplus also provides a special search for articles that are available in the library system of the University of Hamburg in electronic and/or print versions.

Literature that is only available in printed form can also be ordered through the Scan and Deliver Service (Campuslieferdienst).

How do you borrow books?

Would you like to borrow books so that you can work at home? You can borrow items from the textbook collection or our special collection. Check out your books at the self-check-out desk.

You can manage your loans and renew them online via the user account in Katalogplus.

Journals, volumes in the course reserves, or items with a red dot may only be used in the respective libraries.

We offer a special service that lets you borrow items held in the Leibniz Information Center for Economics (ZBW) through the Business and Economics Library. You can borrow these for up to 3 weeks.

Services on site

Various services are available to provide you with the best possible support for stuying and working in the library.

Technical equipment

Borrow charging cables, power adapters, USB sticks, calculators and much more on site. You can find an overview of all available items in the “Library of Things”.

Scan

With the help of book scanners, documents can be scanned quickly, easily and free of charge on a USB stick.

Print and copy

You need a CopyCard (available from the SUB) to use the campus-wide printing and copying machines. Alternatively, you can obtain a Library CardPlus (German only) with integrated payment and recharge function.

You can also print using your mobile device, from the research PCs or via USB stick.

Read on:
» Library of things
» Scan with your smartphone
» Print

More questions?

Need help finding a book?
Do you require support in accessing or using a particular database?
Ask us!
The library staff at the circulation or information desk will be happy to help you.

If you would like to find out more about the library and learn how to search for books, you can book a free tour or a training session. We can't wait to see you in the library!