USING THE LIBRARY
LIBRARY USAGE REGULATIONS
I. Library Services
The University Library provides basic and supplementary library services to its users during opening hours. The continuously expanding library database is also accessible outside opening hours via the Library’s website over the internet.
(1) Basic Services
The Library’s basic services are free for everyone.
Traditional Basic Services:
a) Reader Services: Library staff provide verbal information during opening hours about the Library’s own holdings, the university library network, and external databases, including their contents and services.
b) On-site Reading: Reading rooms are available in each branch library, offering access to the entire collection of that specific branch. Silence and order must be maintained. Bags, coats, and food are not allowed in the reading rooms.
c) Literature Research: Support service to help in-depth exploration of topics and preparation of papers or publications.
d) Research Support: Assistance with using information systems, researcher profiling, citation tracking, managing publication records, and identifying credible sources and predatory journals.
e) Event Organization and Education in Library Spaces: Book launches, user training, and educational sessions.
f) Lending: Requires library registration.
Electronic Basic Services:
a) Computer Use: Computers with internet access are available in the branch libraries.
b) Access to the Library’s Databases: The University Library’s databases can be accessed and searched online via the Library’s website outside of opening hours.
c) Access to Subscribed Databases: Available from computers connected to the University’s network. The list of databases is published on the Library’s website.
d) Access to Theses, Dissertations, Conference Papers, TDK Papers, and Educational Materials via the Óbuda University Digital Archive (ÓDA): Full-text access is available from computers within the University network.
e) Electronic Topic Monitoring: A service based on the integrated library system and subscribed academic databases.
(2) Supplementary Services
a) Copying Services: The Library provides quick-copying services of documents in its own collection or materials from other libraries needed for academic work. A maximum of 20 pages may be copied at once. Copyright regulations must be followed. Final theses cannot be copied. Fees must be paid in advance in cash, and a receipt is issued. Prices are posted visibly in reading rooms and nt he Library’s website.
b) Scientific Literature Mediation: Upon justified request, the Library may purchase documentation services (translations, copies, literature searches) from other institutions. Costs are covered by the requesting department.
II. Library Registration and Lending Rules
(1) Registration
a) Any person over 18 years old who accepts the Library Usage Regulations may register with any branch of the library network.
b) The registration fee is published on the University Library website. Students with a valid university student ID and university employees are exempt. Students from other higher education institutions pay 50% of the registration fee.
c) External users (not affiliated with the University) may register and borrow (up to 2 items) by providing valid ID and proof of address.
d) Registration must be completed in person with the signing of the registration form. Required documents:
- Identity card (or residence permit/passport)
- Address card
- Student ID
e) The Library stores the following user data:
- Full name
- NEPTUN code
- Reader status (e.g., student: year, faculty, program, full/part-time; or employee)
- Permanent and temporary address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Place and date of birth
- Mother’s name
- Date of registration
f) Users must notify the Library of any changes to their personal data. The Library is obliged to protect this data according to data protection laws.
g) New users are informed of the key points of these regulations, which are also posted in a visible location in each library branch.
h) Registered users receive a library card, necessary for using the Library’s databases. Replacement cards incur a fee, as listed on the Library website.
(2) Borrowing
a) A library card is required. Borrowing is performed using the library’s integrated system.
b) Borrowable Items:
- Hungarian and foreign professional books
- Textbooks and lecture notes
- Popular science publications
- Works of fiction
- Non-traditional documents
- Supplements to current journals (for up to 1 week)
Non-borrowable Items:
- Reference collection
- Archived university textbooks
- Items reserved for reading room use
- Final theses
- Current and bound journals
- Historical materials related to Óbuda University and its predecessors
c) Special Lending: Reading room materials may be borrowed for weekends or holidays at the discretion of the branch library head.
d) Loan Limits:
- Academic staff and employees: up to 30 items
- Students: up to 15 items
- External users: up to 2 items
Multi-volume works count per volume.
e) Loan Period:
- Standard: 4 weeks
- High-demand items: 2 weeks
f) Renewals:
Unlimited renewals allowed if no reservation exists. Must be done before the due date or within a 1-week grace period. After this, renewal is only possible upon paying overdue fines. Renewals can be done online using the barcode on the library card. Summer renewal is required for students. Staff must confirm their borrowed items annually upon request.
g) Returns:
Items must be returned in good condition. They are removed from the loan system in the presence of the user.
h) Reservations:
If a requested item is already borrowed and no additional copies are available, users may place a reservation. Users will be notified by email or phone in order of request. Reserved items are held for 10 days. Unclaimed reservations expire. Items stored off-site are considered reserved and are made available the next working day.
i) Recalls:
The Library may recall items before their due date if necessary for library operations.
j) Interlibrary Loan:
Allows access to items not available in Óbuda University libraries. Requests must follow current regulations and can be submitted via form or email. Conditions are set by the lending library. If items are not mailed, the user is responsible for collection and return. Copy costs for journal articles are paid by the user. If Óbuda University lends the item, its own regulations apply. All costs are borne by the requesting party.
III. Library Opening Hours
Users may access basic services during official opening hours. Registration implies acceptance of these hours.
IV. Reminders, Fines, Compensation, Exclusion
(1) Reminders:
If a borrowed item is not returned by the due date, the system automatically sends an email reminder after a 1-week grace period and continues weekly until resolved.
(2) Overdue Fines:
Fines are charged daily per item after the grace period. For 1-week loans (e.g., journal supplements), fines start after 2 days. If reminders are issued, additional notification costs apply. Items under special borrowing terms incur higher fines and loss of future borrowing privileges. Fine amounts are published on the Library website annually.
(3) Compensation:
Lost or damaged items must be replaced with the same or a newer edition. If that is not possible, the user must have the item copied and bound. Monetary compensation is only accepted in exceptional cases and must cover the item’s antique market value and processing costs. Compensation does not exempt from paying overdue fines. A receipt must be issued for any payment.
(4) Exclusion:
Users with unresolved debts are temporarily excluded from borrowing. Users who misuse or damage library materials or furniture may be banned from that branch. Disruptive behavior or inappropriate conduct toward staff may result in exclusion based on the branch head’s recommendation.
V. Protection of the Library’s Collection
(1) Student Clearance:
At the end of the academic year, the Student Services provide a list of graduating students. These students must return all borrowed items and settle outstanding debts. The Library issues a clearance certificate required to receive their diploma.
Students interrupting their studies must also be reported to the Library by Student Services.
(2) Staff Clearance:
Employees leaving the University must confirm in writing (on a clearance form) that they have no outstanding library debts to receive their final salary. This applies regardless of prior Library membership.