FAQ: From Special library card to CampusCard
From January 1, 2026, the library can only be used via the CampusCard. The special library card, which university staff could usually obtain in addition to the CampusCard library account, will no longer be valid.
From September 1, all university staff will benefit from special conditions for library use via their CampusCard library account, a separate guideline link will follow.
Due to the changeover to a new library management system in the coming year and the associated connection of all library users to the University's Identity Management, Special library cards can no longer be issued. The cards are personal and only one card can be managed per person.
All loans and, if applicable, reservations, claims and the credit balance of interlibrary loan accounts will be transferred to your CampusCard by the end of 2025. We will inform you promptly.
If you do not yet have a CampusCard, please apply for one in advance: https://www.uni-kassel.de/ub/en/borrowing/library-card.html
If you still have an University account and also an employee number, you are still considered a member of staff and you can use your CampusCard with the special conditions.
If you no longer have a valid University account, you are considered a so-called "regional user" by the library.
As a regional user, no special conditions apply, the loan period for media is usually 28 days with the option of renewing the media 11 times via your online user account.
If you do not yet have a CampusCard, you are welcome to apply for one: https://www.uni-kassel.de/ub/en/borrowing/library-card.html
Please contact us if you need clarification on this: info[at]bibliothek.uni-kassel[dot]de
The Special library card become invalid on 1.1.2026. It is not necessary to return the special pass; the cards can be destroyed.
From September 1, 2025, no new Special library cards will be issued. However, you will benefit from better conditions with your CampusCard from this date.
University staff have a loan period of 3 years. After three years, you will be reminded to return the media. If you still need the media and are unable to return it, it will be automatically renewed once for a further three years.
If a medium you have borrowed is reserved, it is no longer possible to extend the loan period. The loan period will be set to 28 days from this point and you will receive an e-mail reminder.
Non-university employees (so-called "regional users") receive a loan period of 28 days. This loan period can be extended up to 11 times - provided no reservation has been placed on the borrowed item or the account is blocked.
Please return all borrowed items, pay any outstanding debts and close your interlibrary loan account at the library before you leave the University.
For data protection reasons, the old data cannot be accessed when the library card number is changed, nor can the stock of loans/reservations from the old card number be transferred to the new one.
Authorizations that allow other persons to access a library account cannot be issued and accepted.
In accordance with the current user regulations, the library card is not transferable.
