Rules of use

Right of use

The Lapland University Library is a joint library of Lapland University of Applied Sciences and the University of Lapland. It is open to everyone and primarily serves the Lapland region. Some materials and services are intended only for the students and staff of the respective higher education institutions.

When using the library, the customer agrees to comply with the library’s terms of use, lending rules, and other guidelines.

Library card

To borrow, renew, or reserve printed materials, a library card is required. Students of the University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences can activate their library card through the Tuudo mobile application. Other customers can obtain a library card at the library by presenting proof of identity. Customers under the age of 15 must also provide a commitment form signed by a guardian.

The contact information of University of Lapland and University of Applied Sciences students is automatically updated in the library’s customer register from the student records. Staff and other customers are responsible for notifying the library of any changes to their name or address.

The library card is personal, and the cardholder is responsible for the materials borrowed with it. Lost cards must be reported to the library immediately. A replacement card will be issued free of charge.

Lending

Detailed information about lending is given in the lending rules.

Interlibrary loan service

If the required material is not available in the collections of the Lapland University Library, the customer may request it to be ordered from other libraries in Finland or abroad. An interlibrary loan fee is charged according to the current price list.

Electronic materials

Students and staff of the University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences have access rights, based on license agreements, only to the databases and electronic resources acquired for their own institution. These resources are available on workstations connected to the institutions’ local networks, and also remotely outside the local network using the organization’s login credentials.

Local library customers can use the electronic resources acquired by the library on workstations located within the library premises, in accordance with the terms of the agreements.

License agreements for electronic resources define the terms of use for each resource, which both the library and its customers must follow. The right to use electronic resources allows viewing, saving, and printing of materials within the limits set by current copyright law and usage licenses. More detailed information about the terms of use for electronic resources can be found in LUC-Finna and from the library staff.

Information services and guidance

Library staff provide guidance and assistance in information retrieval, as well as in the use of databases and other electronic resources. A fee is charged for extensive information searches according to the current price list.

Library staff also provide information literacy teaching included in curricula at various stages of study, and organize training sessions for staff. Presentations of the library and information retrieval training can also be arranged for external visitors, for which a fee is charged according to the price list.

Fees

The library charges fees for overdue, unreturned, damaged, or lost materials. If the material is not returned or compensated for, an invoice will be sent to the customer. After that, the material becomes the property of the customer and can no longer be returned to the library. Unpaid invoices will be transferred to a debt collection agency in accordance with the financial administration practices of the university.

The customer is also responsible for fees resulting from incorrect or non-functional contact information in the customer register, or from disruptions not caused by the library’s information systems. The fees charged by the library are based on the Universities Act (558/2009), the Act on Criteria for Charges Payable to the State (150/1992), and the related Decree (211/1992), the Government Decree (1082/2009) on Charges for University Activities, and the Act on the Collection of Debts (513/1999).

Library facilities

Information about the opening hours of the library units is provided in the libraries and on their websites.

The library offers spaces for various purposes, such as group work rooms and reading areas. In areas designated as quiet zones, a peaceful working environment must be ensured for other library users. Students and staff of the University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences can access the library’s reading and working spaces outside of opening hours using access keys. More information about the facilities is available from the library. Library staff may ask a customer who is disturbing library operations or other patrons to leave. A disruptive customer may also be banned from using the library for a fixed period or permanently.

Customer feedback and suggestions

Customers can submit suggestions or other feedback regarding the library via online forms or directly to the library.

Lending rules

Updated 1.1.2026

The collections of the Lapland University Library are generally available to everyone. A library card is required to borrow materials. Students of the University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences can activate their library card through the Tuudo mobile application. Other customers can obtain a card at the library by presenting proof of identity. Customers under the age of 15 must also provide a commitment form signed by a guardian.

The library card is personal, and the cardholder is responsible for the materials borrowed with it. The contact information of University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences students is updated in the library’s customer register via the student records. Staff and other customers are responsible for notifying the library of any changes to their contact information. Lost library cards must be reported to the library immediately. A replacement card will be issued free of charge.

By receiving a library card, the customer agrees to comply with the library’s terms of use and lending rules.

Customer register

The library’s customer register is used solely for monitoring loans. The contact information of Lapland University and Lapland University of Applied Sciences students is automatically updated in the library’s customer register via the student records, so it is important to ensure that the information in those records is up to date. Staff and other customers must provide their information directly to the library.

The data in the register is not disclosed for other purposes. Information related to loans is deleted once the loan has been returned. A link to the privacy policy can be found on the library’s website.

Lending

Loan periods vary across different collections. Some materials are available for use only within the library premises. If the required material is located at another library branch, the customer can request it to be delivered to their preferred location. Information about the terms of use for electronic resources is available in LUC-Finna of both institutions and from library staff.

Customers receive email notifications about upcoming due dates, overdue items, and the arrival of reserved materials. The library cannot guarantee the delivery of these notifications in all circumstances. Customers are responsible for monitoring the due dates of their loans themselves.

In LUC-Finna, customers can check their personal information in the customer register, the return dates of borrowed materials, and their active reservations. They can also renew loans and make reservations through the database.

Customers can request interlibrary loans from the National Repository Library. These loans are free of charge. Through LUC-Finna, students and staff can also order article copies from the Repository Library free of charge.

Renewing

A loan can be renewed if the item has not been reserved and the customer is not under a borrowing ban. Renewing a loan after the due date may result in overdue fees for the customer.

Loans can be renewed via self-service in LUC-Finna, at customer service desks, by phone, or by email.
If there are no reservations on the item, loans can be renewed for up to two years. Some materials have a lower renewal limit.

If self-service renewal in LUC-Finna fails, the customer must contact customer service. A service interruption or technical issue does not exempt the customer from paying overdue fees.

Reserving

If the required material is on loan or located at another library unit, it can be reserved via LUC-Finna or by contacting customer service. Some materials cannot be reserved. Email notifications about the arrival of reserved items are free of charge.

When making a reservation, the customer must choose the library location from which they wish to collect the item. More information about material transport is available from library staff.

Reserved items are held for the customer for one week. A fee is charged according to the price list for uncollected reservations. If the customer no longer needs the reserved material, they must notify the library without delay.

Returning

Loans must be returned or renewed no later than the due date. Items with a loan period of up to seven (7) days, as well as computers and other devices, must be returned to the same library unit from which they were borrowed. Items with a loan period of fourteen (14) days or longer, as well as some journals, may be returned to any unit of the Lapland University Library. The possibility of returning journals can be confirmed with the library.

Loans may also be returned by mail at the customer’s own expense. The customer is responsible for the material returned by mail until it arrives at the library. It is recommended to use registered mail when returning items by post.

When the library is closed, printed and audiovisual materials can be returned to the library’s return boxes.

Overdue loans are subject to late fees according to the price list. Late fees accrue on the library’s open days.

For loans longer than 7 days, a reminder email is sent 3 days before the due date. For 7-day loans, the reminder is sent 1 day before the due date. A first return request is sent on the due date for all loans. Subsequent return requests are sent 1, 7, 21, 28, and 30 days after the due date.

If the loan is not returned despite the requests, an invoice is sent.  The invoice includes compensation for unreturned publications, at least €50 per item, and a billing fee of €5 per invoice. After the invoice is sent, the material becomes the property of the customer and can no longer be returned to the library. Unpaid invoices are transferred to a debt collection agency in accordance with the university’s financial administration practices.

Email notifications are free of charge. Notifications about overdue items are not sent on weekends or public holidays. Materials must be returned in the same condition as when borrowed. Library materials must not be damaged, for example, by making notes or underlining. The customer is responsible for compensating for damaged or lost materials.

Ban of lending

A borrowing ban takes effect if a customer’s fees exceed the borrowing ban threshold specified in the price list, or if loans are overdue beyond the limit stated in the rules. A customer under a borrowing ban cannot borrow, reserve, or renew loans independently.

The borrowing ban can be lifted once the customer pays at least the portion of fees exceeding the threshold and either returns, renews, or compensates for the overdue items. A customer may also be placed under a temporary borrowing ban if they do not comply with the library’s rules.

Replacing materials

If an item is lost or damaged, the customer may replace it by acquiring a new copy, paying at the service desk, or requesting the library to issue an invoice. A compensation fee is charged according to the current price list, and invoicing includes an additional billing fee.

Price list

Loan services (VAT 0%)

• Reservations: free of charge
• Uncollected reservation: 2 euros
• Loan or article request of the National Repository Library: Free of charge
• Library card: Free of charge

Overdue fees (VAT 0%)

• One day and weekend loans: 1 € / book / day, max 10 € / book
• Other loanable material: 0,50 € / book / day, max 5 € / book
• Laptops: 10 € / day
• Borrowing ban: when unpaid fees exceed €5
• Invoicing charge: 5 €
• Compensation for unreturned or damaged material: Replacement cost, minimum €50 / publication
• Compensation for laptop: Current value of the device

Interlibrary loans (VAT 0%)

• Loan from public libraries in Lapland: free of charge
• Loan from elsewhere in Finland:
  • 6 € (LUC students and staff)
  • 10 € (visitors)
• Loan from Scandinavia:
  • 8 € (LUC students and staff)
  • 15 € (visitors)
• Loan from outside Scandinavia:
  • 22 € (LUC students and staff)
  • 30 € (visitors)
• Article copies from Finland
  • 6 € (LUC students and staff)
  • 12 € (visitors)
• Article copies from other countries: According to the sending library’s pricing, but at least the domestic article copy price
• Uncollected interlibrary loan materials: Charged according to the price list

Interlibrary loans for other libraries

The library is a NORFRI library and accepts IFLA vouchers

• Loans to Finnish libraries: free of charge
• Copies to Finnish libraries: free of charge
• Loans to foreign libraries: 16 €
• Copies to foreign libraries 12 €

Information service

Information retrieval guidance:

• free of charge (LUC students and staff),
• free of charge for under 1 hour (other customers)
  

Library presentations (approx. 30 minutes): Free of charge

User education/ Information literacy education:

• By agreement (LUC students and staff)
• 100 € / hour (+ VAT)

Other expertise services:

• By agreement (LUC students and staff)
• 60 € / hour (+ VAT) or for larger assignments by agreement (other customers)