FAQs

Where can I find up-to-date information on library locations and opening hours?

You can find all information directly on our website: https://www.bfm.unito.it/en/about-library/sites-opening-hours. 

Is there a section for daily updates?

Yes, - to keep up to date with any changes throughout the year, visit our Alerts section: https://www.bfm.unito.it/en/notices or our Instagram and Facebook channels by searching bfm.unito. You can write to us directly with any questions or concerns you may have.

How can I book access to the library? 

Booking is made via Affluences. You can use a web browser (https://affluences.com/) or the Android or iOS app. Alternatively, you can directly ask the librarian at the desk to assign you a seat in the study room. Reservations are individual and must be made by the person occupying the seat.

What should I do as soon as I enter the library to confirm my attendance?

Before entering the study room you must confirm your attendance within 1 hour of the start of your booking, otherwise your reservation will be automatically cancelled. For validation, you must come to the desk by asking the librarian directly or, alternatively, scan the QR Code located near the reference desk.

What can I do through Affluences?

With Affluences you can: get up-to-date information on opening hours; check real-time availability of places; reserve a space by choosing the day, time and length of stay; make changes to your reservation (before you have confirmed your attendance). Please remember that it is not possible to remain in the library beyond the chosen time. In order to extend the length of your time of stay, you must make another reservation. For further information: https://www.bfm.unito.it/en/using-library/reading-rooms.

After finishing my academic career, is it still possible for me to access library services?

Students who complete their career by obtaining a degree still have 24 months to use UniTO's services. After this time, credentials are deactivated and the Google account is deleted. However, it is possible to reactivate the credentials by calling the toll-free number to use the services but, if the career remains closed, they will be deactivated again after 1 month. As far as access to PCs  in the libraries is concerned, since they are linked to the account, it is no longer possible to access/login to the PC after expiry. BFM services are intended for all UniTO students. Users who cannot be accredited are only allowed to consult bibliographic materials on the premises. 

What is meant by accredited users?

Accredited users refer to anyone who has an official study or work relationship with the University of Turin (structured or contracted staff) including: full/associate professors, university researchers, university assistants, lecturers, mother-tongue lecturers, research assistants, fixed-term/indefinite-term technical-administrative staff, managers, contracted managers, librarians, scholarship holders, students.

Can all materials in the library be borrowed?

Almost all materials of major interest can be borrowed. Examples of excluded materials are:dictionaries, encyclopedias, print journals (both regular issues and supplements), dissertations, books with historical value, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and monographs that the library has labelled as "reference only."

How many books can I borrow and for how long?

We provide two types of loans you can choose from, according to your needs: the long loan, with a maximum of 3 books (or other similar material) for 20 days and renewable for another 20; and the short loan, with a maximum of 3 books (or other similar material) among those in high demand, for 7 days and renewable for another 7.

Can I delegate someone in my place to return texts I have borrowed?

This is not necessary. The loan is personal, but the return, being a duty, can also be done by other people; the important thing is that the text returns when the loan is due. 

Can I return documents I have borrowed after library hours?

Returns made after hours are not possible.

If I need to pick up or return a book, do I need to make a reservation on Affluence?

You don't need to make a reservation, just go to your library during opening hours. In case of collection, you will have to go directly to the library desk for delivery. For return, depending on your library, you will need to deposit the book on the entrance desk or leave it in a designated trolley. 

How do I request online the loan of a book or other bibliographic material?

From the BFM Home Page, on the right-hand side, click on the quick access item "UniTO Catalogue". After logging in using your SCU credentials and searching for the desired available resource, select the BFM location where you would like to borrow by clicking "Loan request". Alternatively, you can go directly to the library. The resource will be reserved for you for 3 days, after which it will be available to other users for reservation. To see the step-by-step procedures click on the following link: https://www.bfm.unito.it/sites/b081/files/2024-10/Borrowing%20requests%20Short%20tutorial_202410.pdf.

Can I extend the loan of a book?  

Yes, extension is possible if no other user has reserved the book in the meantime. In this case, access your "Personal space" in the UniTO Catalogue with your University credentials and select "My space>My reader situation". For further details you can go to our link https://www.bfm.unito.it/en/using-library/borrowing-books.

What happens if I return a resource late?

There is a three-day grace period beyond which a loan suspension will be triggered at all locations, for a period of twice the number of days of delay, as stipulated in the loan regulations of BFM - https://www.bfm.unito.it/sites/b081/files/2024-10/BFM%20regolamento%20prestito_aggiornato%20aprile%202020_0.pdf (italian language only).

What happens if I damage or lose a borrowed book?

You will have to buy it back and replace it with another copy of the same edition or, if it is no longer in print, replace it with another text from the same subject area of similar value, as indicated by BFM.

Is there a special procedure for consultation of  book?

No, but it must be requested at the counter for registration for statistical purposes. Once you have finished consulting your book, you must leave it on the table or on a dedicated trolley according to the procedure chosen by your library, and the librarians will put it back on the shelf.

Can I apply for an article if I am an external user?

No, the service is exclusively for internal UniTO users, and healthcare practitioners of Città della Salute e della Scienza / Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria San Luigi Gonzaga. It is also available for faculty, students, and staff of other Universities/institutions with which UniTO has signed agreements for the reciprocity of library services.

How can I  access paid bibliographic resources not available at UniTO (articles, book chapters, etc.)?

Ask your library to obtain the necessary article or bibliographic resource for you.

How can I make a request to my library?

There are three options: 1) directly at the reference desk; 2) by sending an e-mail to the library's e-mail address; and 3) using the Nilde document delivery system, after registering.

How do I register on Nilde?

From https://nilde.bo.cnr.it/ by clicking on the blue "Register for your library's Nilde service" button, then follow the step-by-step registration process.

How can I request a journal article, book chapter, etc. via document delivery?

Connect to http://nilde.bo.cnr.it/, select "IDEM-GARR Institutional Access," choose the Home Organization "University of Turin," enter the login and password provided by the University. You will be able to follow the processing your request via the web.

Where can I pick up the requested item?

Exclusively at the reference desk of the library you chose during the reservation process.

How much does it cost to obtain an item?

Regarding items arrived from Italy, there will be no costs to be incurred. Should they come from foreign sources, a payment or expense reimbursement may be required (you have to confirm that you accept the option before we proceed). For full details on this, please see our fee schedule which can be reached at the following link https://www.bfm.unito.it/sites/b081/files/2024-10/tariffario_aggiornato%20aprile%202020_english%20site.pdf (italian language only).

 Where can I find information for Interlibrary Loan (ILL)? 

The service is not currently active at BFM locations, but you can still apply at other libraries. 

What are the resources offered by BFM and UniTO for your bibliographic search?

BFM and UniTO offer a plurality of useful resources including: databases, catalogs, e-books, online periodicals and dictionaries, and exam texts in e-book format. For more details https://www.bfm.unito.it/en/searching and Eureka's page (https://unito.on.worldcat.org/discovery).

Can I also access the University's bibliographic resources outside the UniTO Network?

Yes. By entering Eureka with your SCU credentials you can consult the electronic resources subscribed  to by UniTO even from home or from any Internet location outside the University network.

Is Bibliopass integrated with Eureka? How can I log in remotely from home?

Thanks to Eureka, the new UniTO tool, you only need to log in with your SCU credentials.

Can I search on Eureka by entering the DOI of an article?

 Yes. Use Eureka's Article Search function and enter the DOI in the search box. You can access it directly through the link:  https://unito.on.worldcat.org/atoztitles/search?lang=en#article.

Can I search Eureka even if I am no longer enrolled in the University?

Yes, everyone can use UniTO's bibliographic search tools. However, the mode of access changes. If you are an external user, the contents of our electronic subscriptions can be only read from the locations offered by the University Libraries.

What kind of information can the University Catalogue (OPAC) give me?

The University Catalogue allows you to search for bibliographic materials (books and periodicals in print format) with related information that belong to the libraries of the University of Turin and the other research institutions in Turin. The catalogue-only interface can be accessed through Eureka by clicking on https://catalogo-unito.sebina.it/SebinaOpac/.do?locale=eng. 

I would like to propose a bibliographic purchase that I think is useful, who should I contact?

To contribute to the growth of the BFM collections with your suggestions, simply fill in the form you will find at the link: https://www.bfm.unito.it/en/webform/suggest-bookjournal-purchase.

Where can I find all the databases provided by the BFM?

For a constantly updated comprehensive list of BFM resources visit our section https://www.bfm.unito.it/en/searching/databases. If you are outside the UniTO Wi-fi Network, just use Eureka at the link  https://www.sba.unito.it/en/find-resources/databases-0.

Where can I find the resources available in ebook format or other materials to support teaching?

In Eureka you can search them by clicking directly on https://unito.on.worldcat.org/atoztitles/search?lang=en#article. For course textbooks, multimedia materials, infographics and much more, we have dedicated a section on our website where, via the drop-down menu, you can scroll and easily find what you need. https://www.bfm.unito.it/en/searching/teachinglearning-resources.

What types of photocopies can I make in the library?

The service is aimed at internal users, who are allowed to reproduce library material for personal use, study or research, in compliance with copyright regulations, the limitations imposed by law on the reproducibility of printed works and on the basis of the state of preservation of the material. There is also a photocopier in the San Luigi teaching centre, with which users, equipped with a special card issued by an on-site vending machine, will be able to make copies, prints and scans of personal material for a fee. The fee schedule can be consulted directly in the office.

Can I access the Internet in the library?

Yes, by reserving a PC seat on Affluences, in the same way as you reserve a seat in the reading room. You may also benefit from access via Wi-fi UniTO on your personal devices.

Even if I am no longer a UniTO user?

For booking, it will be enough to download the Affluences app while, for Internet access via the library workstations, you will have to request the activation of Guest credentials. There are two types of credentials: the first will be activated simply by presenting an identity document; the second, which is only for medical staff of the hospital, will be issued following the completion of a form with a scanned copy of the identity document. Both types of access can only be granted by library staff.

I am close to graduation: can the library help me?

Yes, in three ways: 1) through assisted bibliographic research for finding articles and documents via databases; 2) through the document delivery service for retrieving articles, book chapters, etc. not held by UniTO; 3) through advice on the use of software that helps manage bibliographies (e.g. Zotero, Endnote, Mendeley).

What is assisted bibliographic search?

Assisted bibliographic search is a systematic, reasoned, keyword search carried out with the support of library staff on databases, whether citation-based or evidence-based, both open-access and to which the University subscribes.

What is the purpose of assisted bibliographic search?

To find evidence (articles, book chapters, etc.) by extracting it from suitably searched databases, to be selected according to the research question posed by the user; the selected evidence will constitute the bibliography of the thesis.

How do I do assisted bibliographic search in the library? Should I simply introduce myself and ask?

You can report your need by e-mail to the addresses indicated on the web page https://www.bfm.unito.it/en/using-library/support-bibliographic-searches-systematic-reviews; you will be contacted and an appointment will be made at the library or online. You can also ask directly at the Desk.

How much does assisted bibliographic search cost in the library?

For internal users (Università degli Studi di Torino, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza and A.O.U. San Luigi Gonzaga di Orbassano) and those belonging to organisations that have an agreement with the University of Turin, the service is free of charge. 

For external users (bodies outside the University of Turin which do not have an agreement with it, private companies, professionals in a private capacity), on the other hand, the service is provided at a rate of € 50.00 by bank transfer. 

The detailed fee schedule can be consulted online on our website at the following link https://www.bfm.unito.it/sites/b081/files/2024-10/tariffario_aggiornato%20aprile%202020_english%20site.pdf (only italian language).

If I find it difficult to come to the library, can I use the assisted bibliographic search service?

Yes, by filling in the web form at https://www.bfm.unito.it/en/webform/request-remote-bibliographic-assistance and submitting it, you will benefit from the remote search service; a librarian will carry out the search and send you the results.

Do I have to book on Affluences to do assisted bibliographic search in the library?

No, it is not necessary because you will already have been given an appointment, plus the search takes place in a special space in the library that is not in contact with the reading room.

Why use bibliographic citation managers such as Zotero, Mendeley, Endnote?

Because they will give you valuable support in both research and clinical or professional workflows. These tools are used by librarians, researchers, and clinicians to: create and organize personal bibliographies; import, organize, and save bibliographic references as well as documents from databases, online catalogs, and websites; remove duplicate references; choose and edit citation styles; automatically format bibliographies along with citations; and be able to share individual work groups. One of the aspects that makes bibliographic management software particularly attractive is the time savings: the ability to capture the metadata of a bibliographic resource directly from the browser or to automatically compile a bibliography that conforms to editorial guidelines is one of the many advantages for managing big "libraries" during, for example, systematic reviews. 

Is Eureka compatible with Zotero, Mendeley and other bibliographic citation managers?

Yes, you only need to install reference manager’s plug-in on your device. Once you have restarted your browser, icons will appear on the navigation bar to import the bibliographic references you are interested in into your library.

If I have difficulties with the reference manager, can I ask for an appointment in the library?

Yes, contact your BFM branch librarian and you will be given an appointment to provide support and explanations on how to use these tools. We are available for any difficulties you may have in using or getting started with any reference management software you are using.