Membership

Anyone with a VUnetID can use the University Library free of charge. UB membership is also free for students and staff from other Dutch universities and affiliated institutions. For others, there is a paid membership.

Students
If you have a student card, you can have it activated as a library card. First create your personal library account by logging in once in LibSearch with your VUnetID.

On the back of your student card is a 14-digit barcode, starting with 20000. Communicate this number together with your VUnetID by sending an app to 06 - 2569 4822 or an e-mail to ask.ub@vu.nl.

You can also send in a photo of the barcode side of the pass. In that case, also mention your VUnetID in your message.

Employees
VU and VUmc employees can obtain a free library card at the library desk in the VU main building.

Activate your student card as a library card

Sign in to LibSearch and then send us an e-mail or app including your VUnetID + the 14-digit barcode on your student card

Contact information 👇 at the bottom of this page

External members
Membership of the University Library is free for students and employees of other Dutch universities and affiliated institutions.

VU alumni can become members for €10 a year. For others, membership costs € 20 per year. You can also become a member for 3 months (€10) or 1 month (€5).

Membership entitles you to use the physical collections of the University Library. A free guest account is available for the use of the digital collections from campus.

AdamNet: the Amsterdam library network
If you would like to make use of several Amsterdam libraries, you will soon save money with AdamNet. With an AdamNet certificate, you can register for free at 14 libraries in Amsterdam. Membership is available at OBA for €72.95 per year. AdamNet members can become a member of the VU University Library for free by showing their proof of payment.

Requirements for registration- Valid VUnetID or VUmc account

Who?	What do you need?
VU-students	- Valid VUnetID - Activated student card
VU/VUmc staff, guest lecturers and researchers	- Valid VUnetID or VUmc account
Alumni	- VU diploma - Valid ID
Staff and students from other universities	- Valid e-mail address from other university - Valid ID
Holders AdamNet pass	- Valid AdamNet payment slip - Valid identification
All others	- Valid identification + payment (only pin)

As an alumnus, can I access the digital collection from home?

Accessing our digital collection from home is unfortunately not possible for alumni. As an alumnus, you can buy a library card for €10, but this will only give you access to our paper collection. With a library card, you can borrow a special laptop to consult our digital resources, but this is only possible on campus.
How can I access the digital collection as an alumnus?

You can access many Open Access resources through the Royal Library. In addition, you can become a member of the Royal Library for 15 euros a year to get access to the paid digital collection from home. To do so, select 'Availability: free access' and 'Access for KB members' at the bottom left.
Furthermore, the VU's Open Access collection can also be accessed from home:
- Go to our search engine LibSearch > advanced search, select: Open Access and enter a search term. You will then only view sources that are Open Access.
- In the Directory of Open Access Journals you will find academic journals that are published Open Access.

Opening hours University Library

Borrowing

Stop by our service desks or contact us!

ask.ub@vu.nl

+31 20 598 5200

+31 6 2569 4822

University Library

VU Main Building, 1st floor

De Boelelaan 1105

1081 HV Amsterdam

Membership

Frequently asked questions

As an alumnus, can I access the digital collection from home?

How can I access the digital collection as an alumnus?

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