Services

Loans and returns

The Palacký University Library provides on-site (reference-only) loan services for use directly in the reading room, as well as circulating loan services for study outside the library.
Circulating loans are limited to Palacký University students, staff, alumni, and other user categories. Teachers and PhD students involved in teaching may also borrow items that are normally designated for on-site use.
The identification card (ISIC) serves as the library card.

Reader account (My account)

Serves to control items, loan renewals, and the reservation of borrowed documents. To establish a reader account, users can apply directly in person at the central library's circulation desk or at all other library branches, or via email at vypujcka@upol.cz.

Renewing items

Only documents that another reader has not reserved can be renewed. Renewals can be made using your reader account or by requesting a renewal in person at the library, by phone (585 631 749), or by email (vypujcka@upol.cz). Each document can only be renewed three times.

Reserving items

Only borrowed documents can be reserved using a reader account. The reader picks up reserved documents at the branch he has chosen.

Storage requests

Documents stored in the Armory's storage facilities can be requested using your reader account. They will be available for study one hour after the request is made. In the case of a request for documents for a circulation loan that have not yet been catalogued, these are prepared by the next day.
You can request in person documents stored in the storage areas of other branches from the staff of the relevant library.

Returning items via book drop

Borrowed documents can be returned outside library opening hours via the book drop (bibliobox). Documents will be removed from the reader account by the following working day at the latest.
Biblioboxes are located in the area of Armoury, in front of the Theoretical Institutes building, in front of the Faculty of Science building (Envelopa), in building 27a of the Faculty of Science on Šlechtitelů Street, in front of the Faculty of Physical Culture building (Neředín), and in building A next to the staircase at the Faculty of Law.
Biblioboxes are intended only for returning documents to the Palacký University Library!

Late return fees

Failure to return a borrowed document by the specified date results in a financial debt, see the price list.

Interlibrary loan services (ILL)

Through interlibrary loan services, readers can request books and journal articles from other libraries in the Czech Republic and abroad that are not available in the Palacký University Library or other libraries in Olomouc. The service is provided free of charge; the user only pays for copying services and postage, see the price list.

Contacts and requests

Palacký University users – order ILL requests via their reader account at the Palacký University Library (request for ILL book and request for ILL copy of article/chapter)

Libraries

Department

Central library of Palacký University ("Armoury")
Biskupské nám. 1, Olomouc, 779 00
ground floor, door no. 162

At the Library of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Ivana Šlachtová (ivana.slachtova@upol.cz, 585 632 954) is responsible for processing requests from their collection.

Information, bibliographic and reference services

Information services are provided at all branches of the Palacký University Library. An integral part of the lending departments' activities is ongoing work with readers and providing methodological and advisory services to individuals – searching for documents in the library's union catalog.

The Palacký University Library also offers bibliographic and reference services, as well as advisory support on matters related to information sources, professional databases, bibliographic citations, publishing, and more.
It provides literature search services for teachers, researchers, and postgraduate students at Palacký University, and administers Grammarly Business licenses.

Contact and requests

You can submit search requests in person at the Central Library (Armoury), ground floor, room 159, or apply for a subject search at the relevant faculty branch of the Palacký University Library.

Information literacy

Free training courses and consultations focused on working with electronic information sources, citation issues, and publishing activities are organized for students, teachers, and academic staff at Palacký University.

The content and scope of the training can be customized to meet specific needs. Common topics include developing effective search strategies, using the catalogue and professional databases subscribed to by the university, and applying ISO 690 citation standards.

Contact and requests

Open Science consulting

The Palacký University Library provides support and guidance in the field of open science. This includes open access publishing (journal/repository selection, journal verification, open licenses, etc.) and research data management (data management plans, compliance with FAIR principles, etc.). The library also facilitates open access publishing with selected publishers under transformative agreements (Read & Publish). More information about these topics and available services can be found on the dedicated Open Science website.

Printing, copying, scanning

Self-service copying and printing machines are available at all library branches. The copying is a paid service based on ID card with a pre-paid credit, see the price list.

Credit for ID cards (chip cards, ISIC)

Users can prepay a credit (a minimum price of 10 Kč) for copying and printing on self-service machines. In the Armoury, payment is made at the circulation desk. Unused credit is transferred to the next school year. When a user receives a new ID card (due to loss or damage), credit is automatically transferred to the new ID card. After the conclusion of studies, the credits are paid back on demand.

Scanning

Self-service scanning is free of charge.

Internet in the library

There are several ways how to connect your devices to the internet. You can find more information on Palacký University Wiki.

Laptops and tablets loans

In urgent cases, it is possible to borrow a laptop or tablet from the Palacký University Library. This is a short-term loan (for example, if your own device is being repaired).
Laptops are available at all branches of the Palacký University Library except the Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology, while tablets are available at the Armoury and at the branches of the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

Rules for borrowing laptops and tablets

  • Laptops and tablets may be borrowed only by students or employees of Palacký University upon presentation of a valid ISIC card or employee ID.
  • Devices are available for one day only (or until the closing time of the relevant library branch).
  • Borrowing is processed through the library system in library document mode.

Historical prints reading room

The Historical Prints Reading Room is located on the 2nd floor of the Central Library (Armoury) and is open for in-house study of ordered materials, subject to the room’s capacity.
The Palacký University Library holds approximately 3,000 historical prints, which are gradually catalogued and placed in a dedicated collection in the catalog. These items can be searched and ordered for study.
Studying is permitted only under the supervision of research room staff and in compliance with strict safety and hygiene regulations. Access is available to students, academic staff, and the public, provided they complete the Researcher’s Sheet.
The operation and obligations of users are governed by the Researcher’s Rules. To arrange an in-house study session, please contact Mr. Lubomír Borýsek (lubomir.borysek01@upol.cz or +420 606 259 226).

Night study room (Armoury)

The Night Study Room is open 24/7. Users can connect their own devices to the university network. The room is equipped with food and beverage vending machines and has its own restroom.
Entry and exit outside regular library hours is possible every hour (±10 minutes) using an ISIC card. Access to the Armoury building is only through the entrance at Biskupské náměstí 1 (from the gatehouse). The night study room is monitored by the security service at the gatehouse (tel. +420 585 631 102). For detailed information, please refer to the Night Study Room Operating Rules.
Palacký University Library users may borrow on-site use books for study in the night study room.

Borrowing on-site use books for the night study room

  • Books can be borrowed one hour before the library closes.
  • All borrowed books must be returned the next day by 9:00 AM.
  • Readers may borrow a maximum of 15 books; Category A readers may borrow up to 25 books.
  • After 9:00 AM, books must be returned exclusively at the loan desk. Before that, use the book drop opposite the Armoury gatehouse.
  • Late returns incur a fine of 50 CZK per book per hour.

Language, group and individual study room

Located in the Central Library (Armoury), ground floor, door No. 157a. The room is primarily intended for classes of the British Centre of Palacký University Library and for events organized by the Library. It can also be reserved for language lessons at Palacký University, for groups of students, academics, and staff for study purposes, project meetings, and similar activities. The room may also be used as an individual study space. Information about availability is provided by the reservation system.

Opening hours 

Monday–Thursday 8:00–22:00
Friday 8:00–19:00
Saturday 9:00–16:00

How to book a language study room

  • In person at the Central Library reception
  • By phone at: 585 631 730
  • By email to: recepcekup@upol.cz
  • All reservations outside the British Centre can only be made until 3:00 p.m.
  • Reservations can only be made for the current semester.
  • In case of uncertainty about the occupancy of the classroom, the head of the British Centre of the Library will make the final decision.

The key to the study room will be issued at the Central Library reception upon presentation of an ISIC card or a employee card. Please return the key to the same location when your reservation ends. When handing over the key, the receptionist will check the condition of the room with you.
You can extend your booking at the reception desk if the room is not reserved by another user.
Reservations and use of the study room are free of charge.
Please note: No food or drinks are allowed in the study room (except for resealable plastic water bottles).

The study room is available exclusively to Palacký University students, academics, and employees.

Sale of discarded books

On the webpage with the list of discarded books for sale, you can browse books that the Palacký University Library has removed from its collection. You have the chance to give them a second life for a symbolic price (5 CZK per item).

The books offered for sale are in good condition. Please note that full-text search is not available on the webpage; the books are arranged alphabetically and by subject (e.g., Bohemistics, Czech fiction, history, etc.). Select the titles you are interested in from the list and send an email to: vyrazeneknihy@upol.cz.
We will prepare the books for you, and you can pick them up in person at the Central Library (Armoury) at the circulation desk. You can look through the books and take them home after payment.

We want to give these books from our storage one more chance to bring joy to someone like you.

Library events

  • Guided tours of the Central Library (Armoury)
  • Cultural events
  • Exhibitions in the library

Guided tours of the Central Library (Armoury)

The Loans Department offers guided tours of the Armoury for both professionals and the general public. Participants will learn how to navigate the library and use its services. Tours are free of charge. Advance booking is required by phone at +420 585 631 749 or by email at vypujcka@upol.cz.

Cultural events

The Palacký University Library organizes cultural events such as themed evening readings, exhibitions, discussions, Library Night, and Board Game Night. The Central Library also regularly participates in Olomouc Museum Night, Researchers’ Night, and European Heritage Days. All events are free and open to students and the public. For current information, visit: facebook.com/knihovnaup
Contact person: Mgr. Barbora Pomezná (+420 585 631 749, barbora.pomezna@upol.cz).

Exhibitions in the library

Would you like to exhibit with us? The Palacký University Library in the Armoury building (Biskupské nám. 1, Olomouc) also offers exhibition spaces. An overview of available spaces and exhibition conditions can be found here. Please fill in the exhibition conditions form and send it to: vladimir.klasek@upol.cz

Services for Palacký University graduates

You can borrow up to 5 books. Copying and scanning services are available.
You have a 5 % discount on Cambridge English courses (FCE, CAE, CPE); pretests and consulting service are free.
The annual registration fee for the British Centre is 100 CZK.

Services within the program U3A (University of the Third Age)

You can borrow up to 15 books. Copying and scanning services are available.
The annual registration fee for the British Centre is 100 CZK.
You can pick up your card in the Central Library (Armory building), Biskupské náměstí 1. Please bring a photo. The card costs 200 CZK.

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