New student at the library

Student account and IT services

If you are a new student, you must activate your student account yourself, using My student account. There you'll also find information about all the digital tools and services available to students.

At the Computers & IT page you'll find information about the IT support that the library provides for students.

Get your KI card

Your KI card serves as your access card, library card and printing card. All information on how to get your card can be found at KI card for students. Please note that the access function starts on the same day as your courses do.

The KI card is handled by the Security Unit at Karolinska Institutet.

Introduction to the library

Most new students enrolled in a program, mainly national students, at KI will receive an introduction to the library, during which we will tell you how to use the libraries' services. The introduction will appear in your regular schedule, but you can also see the schedule of this semester's library introductions here.

Borrow course books

As a new student, you will probably need to borrow course literature from us. We collect course books in the course book room. All books have a 7-day loan period.

• In Flemingsberg, the course book room is directly to the right when you enter the library, marked with pink glass and white text.
• In Solna, you will find course books in a room on the upper level.

Remember that we do not buy a book for every KI student. You must plan your loans so that you have the book when you really need it.

Loans and request

You can of course request books that are checked out through our website. We will send you an email when the book is available for pickup. You cannot request books that are already available at the same library where you want to pick up your book; in this case, you have to pick the book up directly from the shelf. We also offer automatic renewals, which means that books you have checked out are renewed automatically if no one else is queueing for them.

You can read more about this process on the page Borrow & return.

E-resources

With your student account, you always have access to the library's e-resources (e-books, databases and e-journals), even when you are not on campus. Please note that access starts the same day your courses do. 

Did you know that almost half, or just over 250, of the English-language titles in the course book rooms are also available online? Unfortunately, it's still almost impossible for libraries to buy Swedish e-books, since publishers do not publish them in e-book format.

Search for information 

Maybe you need help with the information searching process before a written assignment, or perhaps you find it difficult to write references, or make a table of contents in Word. Our librarians offer guidance in information searching. Also check the Searching for information page.

Academic writing

Do you want to write better texts? Book an appointment for individualized instruction with the writing instructors at Academic Writing Support. During each tutorial session you will receive the tools you need to develop your academic writing. You can choose between discussing your writing in Swedish or in English. Check out our page on Academic writing for more tools on how to write well. 

Reading and writing difficulties

We also offer support for you who have some form of reading or writing difficulty. Listen to talking books or use the computers in our resource rooms, which are specially equipped for the purpose. 

Study areas

There are many types of study areas in the library. In some areas, silence is required; in others, talking is ok. Please keep track of our rules of conduct and what applies in the different places in the library. There are also many group rooms that students can book.

Read more on the page Study facilities & rooms.

Other parts of campus also offer different types of premises and study places, including ANA 23 (Alfred Nobels allé 23 in Flemingsberg) and House 75 (Solna). 

Extended opening hours

We offer extended opening hours, meaning that KI students can use the library before and after regular opening hours. You need your KI card to get in and out. You can use the library every day from 7 am to 10 pm. Everything you need to know about the KI card can be found on the KI card for students page

Ask us!

If you have any questions about any library service, you can ask the staff at the library, or contact us by phone, email and chat.

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