Use the self-service lending machines to check out books. In order to use the library's self-service lending machines, you need a pin code. You can set the pin code in your customer information in the Helka database. The pin code must be four digits.
Loan periods for all materials are displayed in the Helka database. You are personally responsible for all materials borrowed on your library card, so please remember to check the loan periods from your user details in Helka.
The collections also include theses, dissertations and other materials not available for home loans.
Loan periods at Helsinki University Library are as follows:
Renew your loans in Helka database by logging in to your customer account. You are able to renew all your loans from Helka libraries at the same time.
From the details of each of your loan, you can see the date until which you can renew the loan. When loans reach the renewal limit, the books must be returned to the library.
Your borrowing rights will be suspended in all Helka libraries 14 days after the loan period has expired or if you have total unpaid fines of €15 or more.
Overdue loans will be handed over to a collection agency, when they are one month overdue.
The compensation fee need not be paid if the material is returned. Even in such cases, overdue fines and collection fees do still have to be paid.
The library sends out a reminder (second overdue notice) and warns about the collection before the matter is forwarded to a collection agency.
Electronic resources of the library can be used by the students, teachers, researchers and staff of the University of Helsinki, students of the Open University of the University of Helsinki and all customers visiting the library premises.
Accessing the electronic resources from outside the library locations via a remote connection requires a University user account.
If you are an external customer, you can access the electronic resources at the library premises either by using the library terminals or on your own laptop via a a HelsinkiUni guest network. The password to the guest network is uniguest.
By logging in to Helka, you’ll have access to all self-service functions. You can reserve books, renew your loans and, if necessary, pay fees related to your customer information.
Logging in to Helka requires that you have provided the library with your email address.
Helka is the joint catalogue and lending system of all Helka libraries, that is, Helsinki University Library, Institute for the Languages of Finland, The Finnish Heritage Agency Library, Finnish Literature Society and Library of the Labour Movement.
By obtaining a library card, you commit to following the terms of use for all Helka libraries.
The Helka customer register will send you only email reminders relating to services.
As a customer, you are responsible for keeping your user data up to date.