FAQ

Do I need to register?

Yes, you need to register to access the services offered by the library.

You can register directly on the website page: https://registration.slsp.ch/?iz=usi?

USI students, staff and collaborators are invited to visit www.desk.usi.ch first in order to create a new SWITCH edu-id account or to check if their existing account is connected to USI.

Users who are not affiliated with USI can create a SWITCH edu-ID account when registering with swisscovery.

Is it necessary to register even if you already have an account with another library system (e.g. SBT)

Yes, it is necessary to register specifically in order to access loan services even if you already have an account with other library systems such as SBT.

To help with this process, we have created a pdf document with instructions

For any further questions, please contact us at: [email protected]

How can I obtain a library card if I have never had one?

To obtain a library card, you first need to register (see “Do I need to register?”).

Once you have created an active user account, you can go to one of the libraries affiliated to swisscovery and ask for a card.

How much does registration cost if I am not aﬃliated with a university?

Can I register if I am resident abroad? Are there any restrictions?

Registration is also possible from abroad. People who are resident abroad and who wish to register with swisscovery must, like Swiss residents, register with a SWITCH edu-id (see "Do I need to register?").

For information on restrictions, see “Do I have to pay for any services? How much?”

Is it possible to study in the Library of the Academy of Architecture even If I am not a student at USI?

What is swisscovery?

swisscovery is a platform managed by SLSP (Swiss Library Service Platform), which gives access to the collections of about 500 academic libraries across the whole of Switzerland.

swisscovery can be used to consult the entire stock of academic documents kept in Switzerland: over 40 million books, periodicals and documentary materials, as well as over 3 billion electronic articles.

What is SLSP?

SLSP (the Swiss Library Service Platform) is a company that was set up in 2017 thanks to the collaboration between 15 universities and university schools in Switzerland, including USI. The aim of the project was to create a shared national and multilingual catalog that would bring together the library resources of all the participating institutions.

Can I use my SLSP card to borrow books from the libraries in the Sistema Bibliotecario Ticinese (SBT)?

Where can I search for books in the library?

The library catalog gives access to the collection of the Academy of Architecture Library as well as all the other libraries that participate in swisscovery. The swisscovery platform is integrated with the sites of all the USI libraries, simplifying access to their contents.

How many books can I borrow?

You can borrow up to a maximum of 100 items (residents abroad 5). The duration of the loan varies depending on the type of document (7 days or 28 days). In the case of a 28 day loan, there will be 5 automatic renewals, provided that the item has not been reserved by another user.

Who can I ask for help?

Do I have to pay for any services? How much?

The only services that are charged for are requests for documents from other libraries, with costs varying according to the user’s category of membership.

What types of user are there and what are the restrictions on them?

Max. loans

Max. reservations and requests

Inter-library loans

SLSP-

Courier

Residents in Switzerland, Students, Academic Collaborators

100

50

Yes

Residente nella fascia di confine*

100

50

No

Residente all’estero

5

No

* for Ticino: the provinces of Como, Lecco, Varese and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola

Residents outside Switzerland who are affiliated with a Swiss university institution belong to the "Student" or "Academic collaborator " groups

What penalty fines are applied for late returns?

Type of notification

Days (during

library opening times)

Fine

28-day loans

Notiﬁcation of loan expiry

1 day after expiry date

-

1st warning

6 days after notification

CHF 5.00 / item

2nd warning

6 days after 1st warning

+ CHF 5.00 / item

3rd warning

6 days after 2nd warning

+ CHF 10.00 / item

(TOTAL: CHF 20.00)

7-day loans

Notifica di scadenza prestito

1 day after expiry date

-

1st warning

3 days after notification

CHF 5.00 / item

2nd warning

3 days after 1st warning

+ CHF 5.00 / item

3rd warning

3 days after 2nd warning

+ CHF 10.00 / item

(TOTAL: CHF 20.00)

1 day loans

Notifica di scadenza prestito

1 day after expiry date

-

1st warning

1 day after notification

CHF 5.00 / item

2nd warning

1 day after 1st warning

+ CHF 5.00 / item

3rd warning

1 day after 2nd warning

+ CHF 10.00 / item

(TOTAL: CHF 20.00)

"Same day" loans (up to end of day)

Notification of loan expiry

NO NOTIFICATIO

-

1st warning

1 day after expiry date

CHF 5.00 / item

2nd warning

1 day after 1st warning

+ CHF 5.00 / item

3rd warning

1 day after 2nd warning

+ CHF 10.00 / item

(TOTAL: CHF 20.00)

How do I pay?

How can I obtain a book that is not owned by the library?

The catalog allows you to request books that are not available in the library by clicking on the appropriate request button. During the request procedure, users can choose a library to collect the book from or can choose delivery by post to their home for an additional fee (for libraries where this option is available).

After making the request, the user will receive confirmation that the request has been received and will be informed by email when the book is available for collection or will be shipped.

How does it work?

If the book you are looking for is not available on swisscovery, complete the electronic inter-library loan form. Our libraries will arrange to locate and order a copy for you.

How do I receive an article or extract?

You can use the catalog on the swisscovery platform to request a digital copy of the article or extract for a fee, from libraries that offer this service.

If the document is not available on swisscovery, please complete the electronic inter-library loan form. Our libraries will arrange to get a copy of the document for you if it is available.

What charges are applied for loans from other libraries?

Faculty and intermediary staff / Administrative personnel / USI students:

Origin of document	Type of document
Papers	Photocopies
Ticino (SBT)	Free	Free
Switzerland (swisscovery or otherwise)	Free	Free
Other	Actual costs incurred	Actual costs incurred

Origin of document

Type of document

Papers

Photocopies

Ticino (SBT)

Free

Switzerland (swisscovery or otherwise)

Free

Other

Actual costs incurred

External users:

Origin of document	Type of document
Papers	Photocopies
Ticino (SBT)	Free	Free
Switzerland (swisscovery or otherwise)	CHF 8.-	CHF 10.- every 20 pages or part
Other	Actual costs incurred	Actual costs incurred

Origin of document

Type of document

Papers

Photocopies

Ticino (SBT)

Free

Switzerland (swisscovery or otherwise)

CHF 8.-

CHF 10.- every 20 pages or part

Other

Actual costs incurred

Library

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Contacts Contacts

Do I need to register?

Is it necessary to register even if you already have an account with another library system (e.g. SBT)

How can I obtain a library card if I have never had one?

How much does registration cost if I am not aﬃliated with a university?

Can I register if I am resident abroad? Are there any restrictions?

Is it possible to study in the Library of the Academy of Architecture even If I am not a student at USI?

What is swisscovery?

What is SLSP?

Can I use my SLSP card to borrow books from the libraries in the Sistema Bibliotecario Ticinese (SBT)?

Where can I search for books in the library?

How many books can I borrow?

Who can I ask for help?

Do I have to pay for any services? How much?

How do I pay?

How can I obtain a book that is not owned by the library?

How do I receive an article or extract?

What charges are applied for loans from other libraries?

What penalty fines are there for late returns?

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