Education and research Library of Pilsener Region 

Are you a library member?

If you are not a member of the Education and Research Library of the Pilsener Region (henceforth referred to as SVK PK), you have to register and obtain a valid membership card which allows you to use the library’s services. You can become a library member if you meet the requirements stated in the SVK PK Library Regulations. Payment for the issue of a library membership card is according to the library pricelist.

I) BOOKS

Do you know the book’s call number?

Most of the SVK PK book collection is stored in repositories from which the book must be ordered. Library catalogues are used for orientation within the book collection. A book is ordered with the help of a so-called call number, which is stated with every listing of the book in catalogues. Dispatch time depends on the repository location. Book loans are possible at the loans desk.

Which books can be taken home?

Not all books can be taken home; documents meant only for reference study within the SVK PK building are, for example, books published before 1918 or books relating to or published within the Pilsener Region, provided SVK PK owns just one exemplar. You can find more information in the borrowing regulations of SVK PK. If it is possible to borrow a book, then the loan period is according to the Library Regulations. Books are returned to the loans desk. Fees for late returns are according to the library pricelist.

Is it possible to study within the library building?

Borrowing books which cannot be taken home (for so-called reference study) is possible in the general study room. It is necessary to know the book’s call number which is stated with every listing of the book in SVK PK catalogues. In the general study room, it is possible to photocopy SVK PK documents at costs as per the pricelist.

II) MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS…

Is it possible to take magazines or newspapers home?

All magazines and newspapers are available in the SVK PK reading room and it is not possible to take them out of the building. For orientation within the SVK PK collection, library catalogues can be used. Printed materials published in the last two years are available on open shelves or upon request. Older magazines and newspapers are stored in SVK PK repositories from which they must be ordered.

How are magazines or newspapers ordered?

The loaning of printed documents is done by reading room staff on the basis of a completed application form which contains the document’s ID, a so-called call number and the name of the ordered printed document. The call number is found with every listing of the magazine or newspaper in SVK PK catalogues. Information about printed documents published until 1990 is in the card catalogue only, information about magazines and newspapers published after 1990 can be found in the electronic catalogue. Dispatch time from SVK PK repositories depends on their location. Dispatch from the repository within the SVK PK building takes 1 hour (applies to printed documents published after 1981), dispatch from depositories is according to a timetable which is provided by reading room staff.

Is it possible to acquire a copy of an article?

Reading room utilities facilitate the copying of SVK PK documents at prices as per the pricelist. Copies cannot be made of printed documents published before 1918 due to their possible damage.

III) RESEARCH SERVICES

Who helps with orientation within the library collection?

If you only require information about library documents, you can get free advice from internet study room staff. Upon request, they will show you how to use the electronic library catalogue. The internet study room also provides library members with internet access.

Who provides research services?

Research services are provided within the special study room. Enquiries which can be resolved by accessing the available Czech and foreign databases are settled while you wait. This is not a paid service; the reader only pays for computer printouts if required. If the enquiry requires more time for the utilization of other information sources, the special study room offers its research service on contract. This service is paid for according to the library pricelist.