Frequently asked questions
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How to hand over (donate) books to the library?
The library accepts any books as a gift. You can bring literature to the literature reception point at the service entrance on Monday – Thursday from 8.30 am to 4.45 pm, on Friday from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm.
On weekends from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm and on weekdays from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm, you can leave books as a gift at the information point located on the 1st floor near the main entrance to the library.
For more info : (+375 17) 293 25 20.
E-mail: fond@nlb.by
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Who needs to re-register?
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What are the opening hours of the Library?
The opening hours:
Monday– Friday: 10 a.m.– 9 p.m.;
Saturday, Sunday: 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.;
On each last Monday of a month the Library is closed for cleaning.
The opening hours in summer (1 June – 31 August):
Monday – Friday: 10 a.m.– 8 p.m.;
Saturday: 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.;
Sunday – the day off;
On each last Monday of a month the Library is closed for cleaning.
The opening hours of the library departments and reading rooms:
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You can join the Library if you are at least 14 years old and have a passport.
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What documents do I need to join the Library?
Your identity document (passport, residence permit of the Republic of Belarus, refugee card) is required. Also, it is advisable to provide:
- your pupil card (if you are a college student);
- your student card (if you are a university student);
- your academic degree certification (if you are a scholar).
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How much does a library card cost?
The library card and its duplicate cost 4.99 BYN. Registration is free of charge.
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Can a child join the Library?
No, only a person aged at least 14 years and with a passport can join the Library.
In exceptional cases - up to 14 years old with a passport and on the basis of a written request from the place of study, drawn up on the letterhead of the educational institution, with the mandatory justification of the need to use the information resources of the Library, as well as in the presence and with the written consent of parents or other legal representatives.
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Can I get a library card if I’m not a Minsk resident?
Yes, if you have an identity document (passport, residence permit of the Republic of Belarus, refugee card).
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Can I get a library card if I’m a foreigner or a stateless person?
Yes, if you have an identity document (passport, residence permit of the Republic of Belarus, refugee card).
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Can I present my driving license instead of the passport?
No, the passport is required to get the library card.
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Can I receive a once-only library card if I have neither passport nor other identifying documents?
No, the Library doesn’t provide once-only library cards. In the event that you leave your library card behind, you can get a temporary library card.
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For how long will the library card be valid?
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What should I do if I loose my library card?
If you have lost your library card:
- notify the User Registration Department, tel. (+375 17) 293 28 54, (+375 17) 293 25 84, and they will block your library card;
- provide your passport or other identifying document and pay to get a duplicate.
The number of your library card won’t change.
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Do I need to renew my library card?
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I’m a foreign student. Can I join the Library?
Yes, according to the registration procedure. You must provide your student card and identity card (passport).
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Can I visit the Library with a child?
Preschool-age children are not allowed to visit the Library's reading rooms. If you have children aged from 3 to 10, our
Children’s Room is at your service. Call for more info: (+375 17) 293 25 34.
Children accompanied by adults can attend the Library's social and cultural events (art exhibitions, the observation area etc).
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Can I transfer my library card to another person?
No. According to paragraph 27 of
The Library Code of Service, transferring the library card to another person or using other person’s card is forbidden.
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How to take a tour to the Library and visit the Observation Deck?
We offer guided tours by request. Call to book a
tour: (+375 17) 293 28 53, 293 29 66 (Tuesday – Sunday: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). You can visit the
Observation Deck by yourselves (
paid admission).
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Are e-Books available at the Library?
Print editions from the Library’s collections are being digitized. To date, the electronic publications of the Library employees, the Archive of National Periodicals, CD library and various databases are available. The NLB e-Library is under construction.
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How to find literature on the topic?
To find books on the topic, you can:
- make self-search in catalogs, card files and databases of the Library and / or ask the on-duty librarians at the help desk, the reading rooms and in the Catalog Hall;
- place an order at the Information Service Department (2nd floor, room 257) by filling in an order form. The service is paid, according to the Service Price List. Your order will be fulfilled within 3 to 10 days. Call for more information: (+375 17) 293 27 38;
- ask a question using the virtual services ”Ask a Librarian” or KORUNB (University Scientific Libraries Corporation) on the Library site. The answer will include up to 10 sources.
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How to place an order "today for today"?
Reception of orders "for today" stops an hour before the closing of the library. However, orders for the next day are accepted until the end of day.
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How quickly will my order be delivered?
Your order will be fulfilled within 30 minutes.
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How to clarify the availability of a particular publication in the library?
You can:
- ask the librarian on duty at the information desk, personally or by phone (+375 17) 368 97 37;
- ask the librarian on duty at the Catalog Reading Room (2nd floor of the the atrium), personally or by phone (+375 17) 293 28 56;
- use the e-Catalog
- use the virtual reference service "Ask a Librarian".
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Can I order books by phone or via the Internet?
Yes, you can order books via the Internet (e-Catalog). Ordering by phone is not available.
With the Electronic Document Delivery Service you can order digital copies of documents from the Library’s stocks and get them to your e-mail.
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In which reading room can I get literature in foreign languages?
Order the literature you need and get it at a recommended reading room.
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How to learn which journals the Library acquires?
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Which newspapers does the Library receive?
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How to learn when some law, decree or other legal document were published?
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What should I do if no book, article or other document I need are available?
Ask a librarian at the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Division. For more details, call: (+375 17) 293 27 14, 293 29 14, e-mail
mba@nlb.by
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How to write a bibliography to a thesis, diploma and other scientific papers?
A bibliography must be written in compliance with the examples of bibliographical descriptions on the site of the Supreme Certification Commission of the Republic of Belarus. Employees of the Information Service Department (2nd floor, room 257) conduct free of charge classes on every last Wednesday of a month at the Press Center (3rd floor, room 308); start at 5 p.m. For more information, please, call: (+375 17) 293 27 38.
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How to finalize a bibliography to a scientific paper?
You can do it yourself by using the Library’s search engine, or place an order at the Information Service Department (2nd floor, room 257) by filling in an order form. The service is paid. A standard bibliography in printed or electronic form will be delivered within 3 to 19 days (depending on size and complexity). For more information, call: (+375 17) 293 27 38.
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How to submit electronic version of a thesis to the Library to get a certificate of the Supreme Certifying Commission?
In compliance with paragraph 47 of the Regulations on the conferring of academic degrees and academic status in the Republic of Belarus (adopted by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 17th November, 2004 №560, an amendment to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 30th December, 2011 №621), in the event that the commission approves a thesis its electronic copy is to be submitted to the National Library of Belarus within 10 days.
The electronic copy of a thesis is to be submitted as a pdf file or a doc file on optical carrier (CD-R, RW or DVD-R, RW) to the Development and registration of local electronic information resources section of the Electronic Library Development Department.
To get a certificate applicant must provide their passport and contact phone number. The certificate preparation is made within 15–20 minutes.
Call to get further information: (+375 17) 293 25 86.
The division’s work time:
- Monday – Thursday: 08.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
- Friday: 08.30 a.m. – 4.15 p.m. (break 1 p.m. – 13.45 p.m.)
- Saturday, Sunday – the days off
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How to submit electronic copy of an abstract to the Library?
In compliance with paragraph 47 of the Regulations on the conferring of academic degrees and academic status in the Republic of Belarus, an abstract on both paper and electronic carriers is to be submitted no later than one month before thesis defense.
The electronic copy of an abstract can be submitted in the following way:
- save the copy on CD or DVD and send it by post:
The National Library of Belarus
220114, Minsk, Nezavisimosti Ave., 116,
Electronic Information Resources Acquisition Division;
- send by mail: press@nlb.by, press.nlb.by@gmail.com;
- save the copy on portable data medium and submit it to the Electronic Information Resources Acquisition.
Call for more information: (+375 17) 293 25 86.
The division’s work time:
Monday – Thursday: 08.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Friday: 08.30 a.m. – 4.15 p.m. (break 1 p.m. – 13.45 p.m.)
Saturday, Sunday – the days off
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Which documents are required at the Dissertation Reading Room?
Service in the Dissertation Reading Room is provided upon presentation of the library card
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Can I use a notebook at the Library?
Yes.
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Does the Library have Wi-Fi hotspots available?
Internet connection via Wi-Fi on the library premises is provided by RUE Beltelecom. Access is free of charge upon request. Select the NLB-WiFi network in the list of available networks and on the login page specify the user's mobile phone number to which an SMS notification with the network access code will be sent.
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Does the Library provide Internet access?
All Library readres have free Internet access in all reading rooms in order to obtain scientific and educational information. The total time of the user's work with Internet resources is limited by the reading rooms' working hours.
In addition, in the Library there is an Internet center for readers that provides free access to national and global information resources, as well as to e-mail, social networks, etc.
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Where can I learn how to use the Library’s resources?
Every month, the Library conducts free of charge classes on using the e-Catalog and databases developed by the Library and other producers. You will learn how to make a request, search information on the Internet and use the Library services at home. Also, you can use the help desk (1st floor of the atrium) or ask the librarian on duty in each reading room and in the atrium (1st and 2nd floors).
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Which paid services does the Library provide?
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Can I get a black-and-white or color photocopy and scan documents?
Yes.
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Can I print out data from NotePad or User’s Archive?
Yes.
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Is it allowed to photograph books?
You can photograph books from the Library's stocks, on a paid basis, according to the Service Price List. Please note that not all publications are available to photograph.
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Can I copy dissertations defended in the Republic of Belarus?
Copying of full texts of Belarusian dissertations is not allowed. Copying of fragments of Belarusian dissertations is allowed with the purpose of their further citing. Hand-written dissertations can be scanned by preliminary request.
Call for further information: (+375 17) 293 27 20.
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Can I print information from my electronic media?
You can print information from your media at the copy point, which is located in the lobby (paid service, see the Service Price List).
