(Library) Basics at the start of studies
Welcome to the OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts
For a quick and easy start to your studies, we have compiled everything you need to know about the library here. With the (Library)basics page, you are ready for a successful degree programme at TH OWL. From borrowing books from the libraries to your personal library account to searching for eBooks and print books, you will find all the instructions here - many of them as videos.
Five steps to get to know the library!
Step 1 - Library account
What do you learn here? - Your library account is your personalised key to numerous library services. Without it, you will not have access to the option of renewing your borrowed books or placing a hold on items that have already been borrowed or are in another branch. In just a few steps, you can see which items you have borrowed and whether any fees have been incurred. We show you the details in our videos.
Security note - Your username and password of your useraAccount are very personal information that you should never share with other people.
Video - Here you can find out how to log in to the media search in the digibib and how to use the individual functions.
More information - In addition to this video, you can find detailed information about your library account in the documentation: Borrowing Media (Library).
What's next? - In the following step, you will find out which other services you need in everyday (Library) life at the university and how Usage of the library works on site. Continue here with Step 2 - Borrowing Media.
Step 2 - Borrowing Media
What do you learn here? – This section provides you with initial information about borrowing media from the library. In this section you can find out how to borrow and return media via the self-service checkout system and everything you need to know about loan periods and renewals. We show you the details in our video.
Video - Here you can find out how you can borrow media on site, what loan periods they have and how renewals are possible.
More Information - In addition to this video, you will find detailed information in the documentation: Terms of use.
What's next? - In the following step, you will find out which other services you need in your everyday (Library) life at the university and how Usage of the library's electronic services works. Continue here with Step 3 – book (digital) - eBook.
Step 3 - Book (digital) - eBook
What do you learn here? – Mobile working and learning is becoming increasingly important. Find out here how you can access electronic media anywhere, anytime and at no extra cost. The range includes numerous textbooks, specialist books, journals and videos - there is something suitable for every degree programme. You can use the media search in MIKA to search specifically for the electronic books you need for your degree programme.
Access – With the university dial-in (VPN), you can access these media from anywhere with your end device. You can find out how to set this up here: University Dial-in (VPN)
Video - Here you can find out how to find the right electronic media and how to access them.
More information - In addition to this video, you will find detailed information on the subject of eBooks in the following documentation: Access eMedia, Databases.
What`next? - In the following step, you will find out which other services you need in everyday (BIB) life at the university and how Usage of the library's printed services works. Continue here with Step 4 - Book (Print)
Step 4 - Book (Print)
What you will learn here? - In our on-site libraries you will find a wide range of specialised literature for your studies. We have textbooks and specialist journals for every degree programme that you can borrow free of charge. Find out here how to search for suitable books using the media search function, how to find them in the library and how to reserve or order books.
Access - To borrow books from the library, you will always need your CampusCard (KISOWL).
Video - Here you can find out how to find books in the library using the media search function.
More Information - In addition to this video, you can find detailed information on media searches and borrowing in the following documentations: Media Search and Borrowing.
What`s next? - In the following step, you will find out which other services you need in everyday (BIB) life at the university and how you can efficiently search for standards and other guidelines in the library's services. Continue here with Step 5 - Databases and DIN-standards.
Step 5 - Databases and DIN-standards
What can you find out here? - No matter what you are studying, specialised databases that are tailored exactly to your subject area will make your life easier. Here you can find out where to find these databases. We also explain how to work with the "Nautos" database. You will find what you are looking for in this database if you are looking for DIN standards, ISO standards or other standards, and we show you the details in our video.
Access – With the university dial-in (VPN), you can access these media from anywhere with your end device. You can find out how to set this up here: HUniversity Dial-in (VPN)
Video - Here you can find out where to find the specialised databases and DIN standards.
More information -Here you can find out where to find the specialised databases and DIN standards.: Dtabases
What's next? -You now have all the basic equipment you need for your everyday life at university. Of course, we provide you with numerous other services to make your studies easier. We will introduce you to these in the final chapter. So find out here about more S(kim)-Services.
More S(kim)-Services
Our special databases in our Specialised Databases entry point will help you find the right specialist literature. Here you will find the most important databases for each degree programme.
You will find numerous media in our libraries, but if a specific title is not available from us, you can order it free of charge via interlibrary loan. The desired book will be obtained from another library in Germany and you can borrow it from us. As a rule, you will even receive an article for permanent Usage.
You need a wealth of learning materials during your studies. Use tools such as Citavi or Zotero to organise all these documents and keep an eye on the next steps when writing a term paper or thesis.
We offer you numerous practical tools to make your work with specialised literature easier. Regardless of whether you need literature specifically provided for you in term reserves, you are looking for publications by your lecturers or you are even interested in the possibilities for publishing, we have the right tool for you.
- Scanning - Our scanners at all three locations
- Acces eMedia, Databases - Your options for accessing online offersn
- University Publication Server (ELSA) - University publication server, document server, university bibliography, literature research
- Terms of Use - Administration and user regulations, fee regulations, IT security regulations
- Publishing - Open access, free access to publications, publication fee, CC licences
- Research Data Managementt- Research Data
- Semester Literature - digital, analogue
- Search tipps - Search, research, Google, intranet, e-media, internet
From user access (IDM) to university login to e-mail, you will find all the instructions in our (IT) basic equipment to get you technically ready for your studies. Much of this is also explained in videos.
Five steps and you have your Basic IT Equipment completed
Support
![[Translate to Englisch:] S(kim)-Service-Point am Standort Detmold](/files/webs/skim/doku/img/skim-service-point.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] S(kim)-Service-Point am Standort Detmold")
Our videos and documentaries are useful starting points, but cannot provide all the latest information or answer all your questions. The best way to keep up to date is to follow our news. If you have any questions about the library and IT, you are welcome to contact us by e-mail or come to one of our service points during our opening hours and let our team advise you.