FAQ about Primo
Borrowing, Renewal, Reservation, Return
There are several options to find information about the University Library’s locations.
- “About this library” (location details shown in the detail view)
- “Find Libraries” (Primo menu bar)
- Via our website
That depends on where the book is located in the library. Books in (closed) stacks (Magazin) can be ‘reserved’ via the ‘Request’ link in the ‘Locations’ section. Once requested, they are usually available to collect from the self-collection shelf or at the circulation desk for five opening days.
Books located in the public area of the library (open stacks) often cannot be ordered but must be taken from the shelf yourself (Selbstausleihe or Freihand=self-service borrowing). However, there are exceptions, which can be identified by the “Request” link in the “Locations” section.
You can renew your loans through your Primo library account, among other options. For more information, see "How can I renew a loan?"
If you lose or damage a borrowed item, you are required to compensate the library for the loss or damage. Please contact the circulation desk of the library that owns the item.
You can find more information on the website “Digitization Services.”
Yes. During opening hours, borrowed items can generally be returned at any University Library location. For more information, see "How do I return items?". The Central Library also provides a book return box that is available 24 hours a day.
Library Account
FU students and staff should sign in using their FU account. Information about signing in, as well as instructions for external users and Charité students and staff, can be found under "How do I log in?".
FU students and FU staff can change their password and home address on their own through the my.FU Portal, as well as set up forwarding to other email addresses.
Other users should contact the circulation desk at any University Library location or change their password in their Primo account (see "How can I change my password or PIN?").
FU students and staff should contact the FUB-IT User Support Service for password assistance.
Other users should contact a University Library circulation desk (see "What should I do, if I've forgotten my password?").
Fees
You can find general information on our website "When are charges charged?".
Possible reasons for an account suspension are explained on our website "Why is my account blocked?". If you have any questions, please contact a University Library circulation desk.
Fees can be paid at the self-service payment machines or by bank transfer. Information about payment methods and locations of the self-service payment machines is available on our website "Payment of fees".
Searching
Search help and search tips are available on the help pages for the Primo library portal. You can also use the chat icon in the bottom-right corner of Primo to send an email inquiry. Staff at the University Library locations and at the information desk are happy to assist you. We also offer general and subject-specific introductions to help you conduct literature searches.
Selecting "All" searches across all available search scopes. Details about the contents of each search scope can be found in the Search tips.
Search results are ranked according to several weighted factors based on your query. Details can be found in the provider’s product documentation.
You can save individual search results as favorites by clicking the pin icon next to a title or by selecting the numbered checkboxes.
Favorites remain available for the duration of your current session and can be accessed via the favorites icon in the upper-right corner. You can also export your favorites.
To keep and manage favorites across sessions, sign in to Primo. You can also assign labels to your favorites.
In your personal Primo account under "My Favorites", you can assign multiple labels to each title. Click thepencil icon to create or edit labels.
To remove a label, click the pencil icon again. You can also apply a label to multiple titles at once by selecting the checkboxes and using the pencil icon above the results list.
A list of all your labels, along with the number of titles assigned to each one, appears on the right-hand side.
You can print search results, email, share or export them in various formats, including:
- BibTeX
- EndNote Online
- Excel/CSV
- Mendeley
- Permanent link (permalink)
- Citation formats (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard)
- RefWorks
- RIS (for reference management software)
Video: Exporting and reusing (meta)data (2:02) (in German)
If you first save items asfavorites, you can export several titles at once.
To export an entire results list, use the checkbox above the search results.
Databases licensed by Freie Universität Berlin, as well as selected freely available databases, can be found in the "FU Catalog" by searching for the database name.
A complete overview of licensed databases, freely available databases, and national licences is available in the Database information system (DBIS).
Adjusting your search can often help to find additional resources in Primo. For suggestions on improving your searches, please consult the Search tips.
General information about BipTip recommendations is available on the provider's website.
