Borrow, Return, Renew
Please remember that NTK provides access to a wide array of electronic content. Use the search box above or browse our eResources page.
NTK’s borrowing services and policies may vary according to your customer group (faculty, staff, undergraduate, member of UCT Prague community, etc.) and your residence status. Use our Access & Privileges Tool to check your status. If you still have questions after reading these pages, feel free to contact us.
Borrowing materials
Materials you can borrow
Books
Use the catalog to find books.
If a book is freely accessible, you will see its location on the shelves (e.g., shelf 6C/284:6 means: 6th floor, section C, rack 284). Get it and use the self-check machines to borrow.
If a book is in underground storage or already checked out by other patron, you need to order it via the catalog.
Print journals
New volumes of print journals - usually the last two - can be found in the Periodicals Reading Room (3rd floor) and must be used there.
Older issues of journals are bound and placed on the shelves and can be checked out like books. Use the catalog to find them.
Remember: Many journal articles and books are available online.
eBook Readers
We have Kindle Fires, PocketBook Touches and iPad Minis, already pre-loaded with several eBooks, available.
Basic loan period for these items is 14 days, renewable once. The late fee is 20 CZK per business day.
Assorted materials
We also offer an assortment of other materials, including headphones, laptop cooling pads, 8GB flash drives, optical mouses, umbrellas, canasta cards, the board game Checkers & Mill, travel chess and frisbees. Request them at the main service desk (2nd floor).
Basic loan period for these items is 14 days, renewable once. The late fee is 20 CZK per business day.
What you need to borrow materials
You need to be:
1. Registered with NTK.
2. Have a permanent or temporary residence in the Czech Republic. Check your privileges: Access & Privileges Tool.
Please note that items with a red dot on their spines (or with an LCC code ending in the letter "z") must remain in the library and cannot be checked out.
How to borrow or reserve
Check out
While privileges may vary, most customers can check out 15 items for 28 days each, with the possibility of repeated renewals of up to four times the basic loan period per item.
You can check out materials using the self-check machines or by asking for help at a service desk.
Reserves/items in closed stacks
To reserve an item or to order it from the closed stacks, you need to:
- Log in to the catalog.
- Follow the instructions.
If you order something from the closed stacks, it will be ready within an hour.
Self-service reserves
- After we receive your order, we will send you an email or SMS with the three digit pickup number you will need to pick up your item. Items that are immediately available will be ready for pickup within 60 minutes.
- You can pick up your item from the self-service shelf (Floor 3, Sector A), using your pickup number (for example, 50-6).
- The first two digits of your pickup number correspond to the shelf where your item is stored (50).
- You will find the same three digit pickup number on the ticket placed inside your item.
- Before you leave the library, don’t forget to check out your item for home use using our self-check machines (Floors 1, 2, 3). If you decide not to borrow the item, please put it back at its place on the self-service shelf.
- Your item is reserved for seven days; past this period, your reservation will be cancelled.
If you cannot find something you want to borrow, please go to a service desk and our experts will help you find it. If they can't find it, it may be available via interlibrary loan or document delivery.
Returning materials
You are responsible for items you’ve checked out until they are returned.
Be sure to keep your email address up to date; don’t let someone else use your library card; be careful with the materials you’ve borrowed; and remember to return things you’ve checked out when you’ll be out of town for long periods of time.
How to return materials
When the library’s open, you can return books using the two a self-service return machines on the ground floor (one is opposite the gallery); the other one is near the cash/registration desk).
When the library’s not open, you can use the return box (Bibliobox) located at the NTK3 entrance. If you return something there, it will be noted in your user account the next business day.
Late fees
Late return charges are typically 2CZK for each business day.
You can pay late fees at the cash desk on the ground floor. If you don’t pay late fees, your borrowing privileges will be suspended.
Damaged or lost items
Be sure to report damage or loss using the online form found under the "My Account" tab after loggin. Replacement fees vary according to the damage and/or the item. You will work with library staff to identify options for replacement as well as the damage/loss fee.
Lost items are the property of the Czech Republic, so please return an item if you eventually find it at a service desk, even if you already paid a damage/loss fee.
Renewing materials
Items can be repeatedly renewed for up to four times the basic loan period via your user account or by phone, email, self-check, or in person at a service desk.
Or call us: (+420) 232 002 535
Add money to your account online