Getting Started

Library registration is free for all University of Ostrava students, including Erasmus and international students.

The first step is obtaining your student card at the Card Centre, which is located on the ground floor of the University Library building. So, while you are waiting for your card, you can take the opportunity to register and explore the library. You can also register online via the library catalogue.

An essential guide for new students: don’t forget to register for the 30-minute “About the Library” webinar! Learn how to find books and articles, explore our services, and discover which spaces and services are available to you. The webinar takes place on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 / 10 AM. We’ll also show you how to access electronic resources, how borrowing work, and how to use online tools designated to make your studies easier and more enjoyable. The session takes place via MS Teams as an online webinar with registration. After the session ends, a recording will be available to all the registered students.

Spaces Designed for Students

The University Library is located in the heart of Ostrava on Bráfova Street and offers several distinct spaces.

Ground floor:

• The Lending Desk, where you can borrow and return books, manage your loans, and get help from library staff.
• The Card Centre.
• The Study Lounge, a welcoming space for catching up with friends, relaxing, studying, or attending university events.

First floor:

• Jacques Rupnik Study Room, a space for quiet study with comfortable study areas and an individual study room.
• Student kitchenette equipped with a microwave for heating food.

Second floor:

• S-Zone, an open space for group study sessions, hanging out between classes, or simply winding down.

In addition to the main library building, you can also study in our faculty study rooms across the university. All study spaces provide Wi-Fi, power outlets, computers, printing and scanning services, and comfortable seating.

Borrowing Made Easy

To make your student life easier, we make borrowing as flexible as possible. You can borrow up to 40 books at the same time.

• If no one else has reserved the item, you can extend the loan online. Thanks to repeated renewals, you can keep most books for up to six months.
• If a document is currently borrowed, simply place a reservation online and we’ll notify you when it becomes available.
• You can return books at the lending desk or use our return boxes outside the library or faculty study rooms.

Need something we don’t own? We can request materials from other libraries in the Czech Republic and abroad thanks to Interlibrary Loan (ILL). If you’re not sure where to start, our librarians can help you find relevant books, articles, and resources.

Need help in English? Whether you need assistance finding resources, using the catalogue, borrowing materials, or accessing online databases, we’re happy to help you in English. Feel free to email us anytime at knihovna@osu.cz

Accessing Resources Remotely

Through your student account, you can access thousands of e-books, academic journals, and specialist databases. Thanks to off-campus access, you can study from your dormitory or anywhere with an internet connection.

We recommend starting with EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) for searching most library resources in one place or ProQuest Ebook Central for a wide range of academic e-books. You can also try Writefull, an AI-powered proofreading tool that helps improve academic writing, grammar, and style. Just log in with the same username and password as for the UO Portal.