Online Access and Use Connect and Register to Reap the Benefits

The Library of Engineering and Architecture at Campus Horw is open to the public. Together with 490 other Swiss libraries, it is part of the Switzerland-wide SLSP library network with the common research platform swisscovery. 

Users need to register in order to borrow media.

Library & Work Spaces

Opening hours

Online: 24/7 at your service.
In-person: Mo - Fr 8am - 5pm
Information desk not staffed during lunchtime.

From January 5 to February 13, our library will have reduced counter opening hours.
In-person: Mo - Fr 9am - 4pm
Information desk not staffed during lunchtime.

Outside regular opening hours, access with the HSLU card from the Department of Engineering & Architecture is available 365 days a year from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for Bachelor's and Master's students, as well as staff.

Extraordinary closures

Immaculate Conception of Mary: Monday, December 8, 2025
Christmas holidays: Wednesday, December 24 – Sunday, January 4, 2025

Opening hours of all eight ZHB locations

 

Online Access

HSLU students and staff: Wi-Fi hslu

Details of our wi-fi coverage may be found here. Even if you are not on campus, you still have access to our licensed e-media via our VPN: Info IT

Members of other universities: eduroam network

If your home university is a member of eduroam, you can use the eduroam network within the HSLU campus.

Visitors: «Public» network

Visitors to the campus log in via the public network (SMS registration).

Borrowing Print Media

Prerequisite for borrowing media

To borrow media, users need to register online at swisscovery/SLSP.

I hold an academic library card in Switzerland and/or an HSLU-Card

While registering with swisscovery/SLSP, you will be asked to provide the number of your library card. The library card is valid throughout Switzerland in all SLSP libraries. HSLU students and staff may use the HSLU-Card as a library card. The HSLU-Card does not have to be returned upon completion of degrees or leaving the university, as it can still be used as a library card.

I do not hold an ID for an academic library in Switzerland or an HSLU-Card

If you do not hold an HSLU-Card or other library card and open a new library account with swisscovery, you will receive a library card free of charge (please register at the information counter).

Where can I manage my library card(s)?

Library cards can be managed here.

User account, change of address

Your online user account provides an overview of orders, reservations and loans with loan periods. Changes of address must be made by the user in the edu-ID account.

Lending, Returns, Stocks of Other Libraries

How much does it cost to borrow?

The lending of media is free of charge.

How do I get my book?

Items that can be borrowed can be collected in person from the open access area during the library’s opening hours or ordered/reserved via the swisscovery RZS search portal.  

What must I do to take a book away with me?

Items can be borrowed at the self-service station in the library or at the information desk.
Periodicals, standards and other non-lending items such as reference works cannot be borrowed.

 
How long can I keep a book?

The loan period is generally four weeks (28 days). Unless otherwise reserved by other users, media are automatically extended by four weeks up to a maximum lending period of 168 days. 
Some items (e.g. periodicals and DVDs) have a shortened borrowing period of two weeks (14 days) / max. 84 days.
Once a recall notice has been issued, the loan period cannot be extended further. The item must be returned within one week. Further information is available here.
The borrower is responsible for adhering to the deadlines. Non-receipt of recalls or reminders cannot be accepted as grounds for late returns.

How do I return my book?

Borrowed items from HSLU libraries, the Lucerne Central and University Library (ZHB) and the PMZ Education Media Centre (except educational games and media kits) may be returned to all these libraries regardless of the lending institution.
Media ordered by SLSP courier are to be returned to the library from which the item was collected or another library within the SLSP courier network.

What happens if I return a book too late?

Reminder/recall: free of charge
First reminder: CHF 5
Second reminder: an additional CHF 5
Third reminder: an additional CHF 10

Can I also order a book from another library? Or an article from a specialist periodical?

Lucerne’s libraries are connected by courier and are part of the SLSP courier service (subject to a fee). Further information on the Central Swiss and SLSP courier services is available here (only german).
The library collects documents from Switzerland and abroad that are not available in Lucerne’s libraries and cannot be ordered by SLSP courier. Persons interested in this service should contact the library staff.

Where can I find an overview of all the fees?

Details of other fees may be found here (only german).

How do I pay for paid services?

Fees will be invoiced by SLSP, swisscovery’s operator. You can find the answers to frequently asked questions about SLSP’s billing here.