Ask us

How can I contact the libraries?

You can contact each library by phone during opening hours or by email at any time. Contact details are available on each library’s page.

How can I book a seat in the library?

You can book a seat through Affluences, available as an app on Google Play and the App Store, or online. You can also book by calling the library you wish to use, or visit in person without a booking, although a seat may not be available. For full details, visit the University Library System’s page on booking a library visit.

How can I follow the libraries on social media?

The Natural Sciences Library Network has a shared Instagram account.

Some libraries also have Facebook pages. You can find links on the individual library pages.

Do I need to register to use library services?

Most services are available without registration. However, some require registration or are available only to members of the University. For more information, see the next section on library services.

This is my first visit to the library. Who can help me?

If you are visiting for the first time or need assistance, ask at the library desk. Staff can help you find books, articles and other materials, and show you how to use the online catalogues (OPACs), electronic resources (ebooks, journals and databases) and other library services.

Do I need to register to use library services?

If you are a member of the University of Turin and have SCU login credentials, you do not need to register to use the services available to you.

External users and users from institutions with an agreement with the University can visit the libraries and consult materials on site. To borrow items, you must register at one of the Natural Sciences Libraries.

For more information about user categories and the services available, visit the library services page.

I am studying at another university. Can I borrow books here?

Yes. Students from other universities can borrow books by registering as external users at one of the Natural Sciences Libraries. When you register, you will be asked to sign the privacy notice on the processing of personal data, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR). For more information, visit the library services page.

Can I still use library services after I finish my studies?

Yes. You can continue to use library services as an external user. When you register at your chosen library, you will be asked to sign the privacy notice on the processing of personal data, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR). For more information about the services available, visit the library services page.

How many books can I borrow?

Students at the University of Turin and institutions with an agreement with the University can borrow up to 3 volumes at a time, or up to 6 if they are preparing their dissertation or thesis. The loan period is 30 days

Where and how can I search for print books?

You can search the Polo Bibliografico della Ricerca catalogue for print books and journals held by the University of Turin libraries and other participating institutions.

You can search by title, author or other bibliographic details. The catalogue shows which library holds an item, its shelf location and whether it is currently available to borrow or consult on site. It also provides links to digitised versions, where available.

What can I do in the catalogue’s Personal area once I have logged in?

In the Spazio personale (Personal area) of the Polo Bibliografico della Ricerca catalogue, you can:

• Update your profile details.
• Read messages sent through the platform.
• View the list of libraries participating in the catalogue.
• Check and renew your loans.
• Reserve a book.
• Save and view lists of bibliographic references from the catalogue.
• View your catalogue search history.

Where can I search for electronic resources?

You can search for electronic journals, scholarly articles, ebooks and databases through Eureka, the main gateway to the University of Turin’s electronic resources.

Access to subscription resources is generally restricted to members of the University with SCU login credentials. Some resources are only accessible from the network of a particular department or library and cannot be accessed remotely.

To find out more about accessing resources from home, see question 6 below.

What is the difference between the Polo Bibliografico della Ricerca catalogue and Eureka?

Eureka provides a single search interface for the University of Turin’s print and electronic collections. The Polo Bibliografico della Ricerca catalogue (OPAC) is a more focused tool, primarily used to locate print books and journals.

Use Eureka to search the literature on a topic, find articles and digital resources, or check whether a book is available as an ebook.

Use the Polo Bibliografico della Ricerca catalogue to:

• Find out which library holds a print book and request to borrow it.
• Find works by a particular author.
• Find different editions of the same book.
• Search for books on a topic using keywords.

How do I use Eureka?

You can access Eureka through the University Library System website, the Natural Sciences Library Network website, or directly via this link.

From the homepage, you can search by title, author, subject or keywords. You can then filter the results by resource type, publication date, language or online availability. In your personal account, you can also save items, create bibliographies and save your search history.

Bear in mind that a subject search in Eureka may not provide comprehensive coverage in fields such as chemistry, pharmacy and biology. For these subjects, you will also need to use specialist databases containing both bibliographic references and factual data, such as chemical structures, infrared spectra and patent information.

For detailed guidance on searching in Eureka, see the tutorials on the guides and tutorials page.

To learn about the features available in Eureka’s personal account, watch this video tutorial.

How can I access electronic resources from home?

Members of the University of Turin can access most electronic resources remotely using their SCU login credentials. To connect, follow the instructions on the Access from home page.

Under the terms set by publishers or providers, some databases and electronic journals can only be accessed from designated workstations in a specific library.

External users and anyone without University login credentials can visit a University library to consult the electronic resources available to them.

Can I borrow ebooks without visiting the library?

Access options depend on the platform and the publisher’s terms. Some platforms allow you to read a book online or download individual chapters. Others allow you to download the entire ebook for a limited period using specific software or authentication systems.

The University of Turin does not have a single ebook lending platform comparable to MLOL, which is used by many public libraries. You therefore need to check the reading and download options on the platform hosting each ebook.

How may I use electronic resources?

Use of electronic resources is governed by the University of Turin’s licence agreements and its terms of use for electronic resources.

In general, resources may be used for your own study, teaching and research. Before using or sharing a resource, always check the relevant licence terms and copyright requirements under Italian Law No. 633/1941, as amended.

How can I find out whether the library holds a journal?

You can search for the journal title in Eureka, the Polo Bibliografico della Ricerca catalogue or ACNP, the Italian Union Catalogue of Serials.

The catalogue and ACNP are particularly useful for checking print holdings: they show which years and issues are available at a particular library.

For electronic journals, Eureka shows whether a title is available online and which years are available in full text.

Where can I find articles on a particular topic?

You can search by keyword from the Eureka homepage, or search for a specific article if you already know its title.

Bear in mind that Eureka does not search all the databases to which the University of Turin subscribes. In some disciplines, you should also search specialist resources directly, such as SciFinder, Reaxys or AdisInsight. These may include data, chemical structures, patents and other information that a general search will not retrieve.

How can I save references and automatically create a bibliography for my dissertation, thesis or paper?

You can use one of the free reference management tools to save and organise references and automatically generate a bibliography.

For more information, visit the Save your bibliography page on the University Library System website.

Is there a calendar of library training sessions? What topics are covered?

The Natural Sciences Libraries provide training sessions and activities on topics including searching subject-specific databases, locating articles and other scholarly sources, evaluating sources, and using tools to support the preparation of dissertations, theses, reports and scholarly publications.

The schedule and registration details are available on the library training page.

How can I consult a dissertation or thesis?

Access to dissertations and theses depends on the type of work, the year of its defence, the library holding it and the permissions granted by the author.

Information on availability and conditions of access is provided on the dedicated page.

How can I get help with a literature search?

For initial assistance with planning a literature search, identifying appropriate databases, using bibliographic tools and locating relevant materials, please contact your library.

Library staff provide guidance on developing and refining search strategies. This support does not include undertaking the entire literature search on behalf of the user.

For more complex enquiries, please refer to the literature search support page.

External users requiring assistance with a literature search may contact the library of their choice.