Library Card

A library card (ULB Card or Athena Card) allows you to use the media and services of ULB. A library card allows you to borrow books from ULB Stadtmitte and ULB Lichtwiese.

Registration

For students and staff of the TU Darmstadt (Athena Card)

For students of other universities and users in region (ULB Card)

Activate your Athena Card

TU students and TU employees who have received an Athena Card must first have it activated in order to use the library, e.g. to borrow books or to use electronic media.

You can have it activated by contacting the Service and Information Team.

To do so, please send scans of the following documents to or come by the library on site with the following documents:

TU students:

- Front and back of Athena Card

- Front and back of ID card with current German address

or

- Passport and a current certificate of registration, not older than 6 months.

TU employees:

- A filled out and signed Declaration on work related use (PDF file) (opens in new tab)

Library Account

Your Library account contains a summary of your borrowed media and the loan periods. You can renew them, view your reservations and change your password online.

You will also find a reference to the validity of the right of use (membership) there, which is generally only set up for a limited period of time.

More Topics

  • Athena Card

    The Athena card is produced and issued by the HRZ, either in person or by mail: Athena card – your ID card for many functions at TU Darmstadt

  • Borrowing Privileges

    Items may be borrowed by any individual aged 15 years or over and living in Germany for a minimum of three months.

  • Changes of Address

    Please inform us of any changes in your address as soon as possible. Changes of address can only be made upon presentation of a valid identity card or passport (plus a max. 6 months old registration certificate).

  • Extending Books

  • Extending the Loan Period

    Your library account contains the overview “Checked Out Items”. If an extension is available, you can renew the loan periods for your items here.

  • Loss of a Library Card

    Please us immediately if you lose your library card (ULB card) or Athena Card so we can block your library account. You will be liable for any damage in the event of the card being misused.

  • Temporary Password for Athena Cards

    The Athena card is also your library card. You will find the library card number (BAN) on the card starting with the numbers 0017. When the Athena card is issued, you will be given a temporary password that you can see at https://idm.tu-darmstadt.de/password/accountNames. Please log in with your TU ID and the corresponding password for this. We strongly advise you to change this temporary password.

  • Temporary Password for ULB Cards

    The temporary password for holders of ULB Cards is their birth date in 6 figures (DDMMYY). E.g.: 30.01.1980 = 300180

    We strongly advise you to change this temporary password.

  • Topping up Athena Card

    The top-up machines have been out of service since March 2026.

    You can reload the payment function (electronic wallet) of your Athene card at the Studentenwerk's cafeterias and bistros.

  • ULB Card

    The ULB card can only be collected in person upon presentation of a valid German ID card or passport at the “Service & Information” counter at ULB Stadtmitte. If presenting a passport, you must also present a registration certificate (maximum 6 months old).

    Registration for students of other universities and users in region (ULB Card)