Request a purchase

We will purchase e-versions of publications when possible. Appropriateness for WUR’s collection and available funding will also be taken into account. We will inform you about the decision. You'll find the orange button below on several pages of the Library website. Please note you need to be logged in to the Library to use this service.

What happens after you've filled out the 'Request a purchase' form?

As soon as we receive the purchase form, we check if the requested book is already available as an eBook or as a hard copy, and we look up the price. You might not know that book prices, especially for eBooks, are often much higher for libraries than they are for individual customers. When the book is related to a WUR study or research field, we’ll probably buy the electronic version of the book. However, if the book is extremely expensive, we’ll discuss if we need to purchase the book with the person who requested the purchase.

eBooks in the Library collection

All publishers have their own policies for eBooks. We always prefer to buy a book directly from the publisher because the book can be easily accessed on the publisher’s website.

eBooks platforms (Ebscohost, Proquest)

When we can’t buy an eBook directly from a publisher, we use eBook platforms like Ebscohost or Proquest. An eBook platform offers a collection of eBooks that a library has bought. Regulations on those platforms are usually very strict about how many people can read a book at once. Sometimes, only one user at a time can access a book, sometimes three users and sometimes unlimited users. When you want to offer access to multiple at once, the access price goes up accordingly.

Borrow a book or order an article

If you want to borrow a book that you cannot find in WUR Library Search, please use the service Ordering and document delivery. We'll borrow the book from another library in the Netherlands.

Do you need a copy of an article from a journal that WUR Library does not have in its collection? You'll find the information you need at Ordering and document delivery.