New Online Service: Inspection of Books via Webcam

Stocks from the historical collections which normally can only be inspected under supervision in the research reading room – like for instance manuscripts, incunabula or interlibrary loan – are presented online for about one hour for research purposes. By this researchers are able to inspect selected sections (e.g. tile pages, illustrations, textual variants) in a quick and targeted manner without appearing in person.

You simply need a PC or laptop with audio and video function, access to the internet, and a web browser. The ULB provides a web cam and a staff member turns page by page of a precious or sensitive book by appointment. This and more digital services are now expanded step by step and are made accessible on our homepage under difficult conditions as most of the ULB staff is in home office like everywhere in the country.

And here's how it works: make an appointment by mail and tell us the title and the call number of the book you would like to inspect. The service is available from Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 2pm.