Libraries

As its name suggests, S&SAME (‘Sesame’) gives you the keys to finding your way around the libraries and campuses and locating your classrooms,
computer rooms, or any other useful service.

EUReKA helps you with information retrieval, whether you are searching for an article or a book, or compiling a list of available publications while preparing an assignment. Please feel free to go see your library’s EUReKA service if you need assistance and you will be pointed towards tutoring or training on information retrieval, as appropriate. You will also get basic information on how to create a cohesive bibliography, how to avoid plagiarism, and how to download, save and/or print the documents you have found.

The ‘Question?’ service will allow you to get practical information on how the libraries work, or an introduction on how to search for documents, using an online form available at https://bib.ulb.be/fr/question.

Our support is complemented by in-class training sessions on information retrieval.

Want to learn about documentary research at your own pace, from home? Follow our free online course, ‘What's Up Doc?’. Documentary research tutorials for all!
The course is offered twice a year (in October and February). Given over 8 weeks, it teaches you about the methodology of documentary research, with practical exercises using research tools. Support is provided on a forum throughout the course's duration.

Lastly, 4 online tutorials on documentary research are available to help you with your dissertation in:

• human sciences
• medical sciences
• architecture
• technical sciences

The ULB archives department collects, processes, and preserves the University’s official and administrative documents, as well as many historical collections. The special collections include rare and valuable documents, related in particular to the history of books and printing, as well as archival collections from various donors. The archives and the special collections also preserve a large collection of works of art. Both are open to all members of the university community.

In addition to the support resources mentioned above, libraries offer areas and tools specifically designed to provide an ideal setting in which you can study, prepare assignments or simply read the documents you will be using. In particular, you will find : areas where you can work or study (individually or in groups) in whichever way works best for you ; meeting rooms and classrooms ; PCs that you may use to browse electronic collections go online ; a Wi-Fi network ; photocopiers and, in certain libraries, a scanner and/or an all-in-one printer/copier/scanner.

As a student or a registered user, you will need to look up information on your chosen field and search through the literature in order to prepare your assignments or your master’s thesis. Our role is to provide you with the printed or electronic documents that will be helpful to you throughout your studies at ULB. If the book or article you are looking for is not available at ULB, do not hesitate to ask our document research service, in order to find documents whether or not they are in the collection of ULB libraries (the inter-library loan is a paid service).

You can visit the libraries on the following campuses:

More information on the website of the libraries (in French)

Your student card doubles as a library card.
You may also purchase an anonymous payment and access card from the libraries, which you can use to access various services (Health Sciences Library, car parks, computer rooms, etc.) and pay for photocopies in the ULB libraries.

Finding a quiet place to focus on your studying can be difficult. The University is aware of this issue, and has created open areas on campus where students and registered users can study individually in a positive and respectful atmosphere.
In addition to the study areas available year-round in the libraries, special study rooms are open during the revision and exam periods.
For rooms and timetables, see monulb.be