Welcome to the University Library’s new newsletter!

In January, we asked our users about the information channels they use most often to receive news from the library. In response to this, we decided to redo our previous newsletter. We are very pleased to present the results to you.

Starting at the beginning of each month, we will keep you informed about everything important from the University Library. This will include regular updates on closing times, events, and training sessions.

We welcome your feedback at webredaktion@ub.rwth-aachen.de

Topics in quick access

Automatic renewal of loans

Faster search access in the KatalogPlus

New feature in CAS SciFinder

Closing of closed stacks

Librarians from Ukraine visit

Automatic renewal of loans

Since May 4, loan periods for books from the University Library have been automatically extended. Renewals previously had to be done manually at the end of the four-week loan period. Now they are done automatically gradually until the end of the maximum loan period. An email notification will inform you that the renewal has been successful.

However, this change only applies as long as there are no holds placed by other users. Otherwise, a notification will be sent as usual stating that the items must be returned.

The Circulation Desk is happy to answer any questions about automatic renewals at ausleihe@ub.rwth-aachen.de.

Faster Search access in the KatalogPlus

The homepage of our website now features a search bar that leads directly to KatalogPlus. From there, you can immediately start a search in KatalogPlus. The results are identical for both search entry points.

We have received feedback that KatalogPlus is difficult to access from the homepage of our website. In collaboration with the Central University Administration at RWTH, this new feature was developed within the content management system.

The Information Center is happy to answer any questions regarding the catalog search at iz@ub.rwth-aachen.de.

New feature in CAS SciFinder

With the update in April 2026, the AI-powered extension ‘CAS Newton’ was integrated into CAS SciFinder. The application is based on the CAS Content Collection and links scientific concepts from chemistry, biology, materials science and intellectual property. This provides a dialogue-based access to 150 years of scientific knowledge.

CAS Newton supports text and structure input and enables context-based searching across multiple steps. The responses are presented in a structured format and linked to relevant content and sources within CAS SciFinder. Previous chats are retained and can be downloaded or deleted.

Further information can be found on the ‘About CAS SciFinder’ webpage at
https://cas-product-help.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/45259662445069-What-s-New-in-CAS-SciFinder-April-16-2026.

Closing of closed stacks

Due to construction work in the closed stacks of the Main Library, books cannot be borrowed from there. Since the collections are also inaccessible to the library staff, it is currently not possible to create scans. The relevant books cannot be ordered via KatalogPlus.

The ventilation system on the five closed stacks floors of the Main Library has been under renovation since last year. After installing a temporary system, the old ventilation system is now being removed. Some parts contain asbestos, which was commonly used in the past. These materials are being removed carefully to avoid any health risks. It’s unclear yet how long the floors will remain closed. This depends on the progress of the work. We will inform you as soon as the collections are available again. If you need books urgently, you can request them via interlibrary loan.

Questions regarding borrowing conditions can be directed to the circulation desk at ausleihe@ub.rwth-aachen.de.

Librarians from Ukraine visit

Two leading librarians from Chernihiv Polytechnic University joined a meeting of heads of academic libraries within the German Library Association in Aachen. They stayed from 22 to 25 April. Their visit shows a strong partnership that has grown under difficult conditions. While the war continues in Ukraine, libraries in Ukraine and Germany are working closely together and sharing their experience. At RWTH Aachen University, the two visitors spoke about their work during wartime.

A highlight of the visit was the presentation by Moroz and Kalinichenko at the conference, attended by around 70 participants. Vice-Chancellor Professor Joost-Pieter Katoen welcomed the Ukrainian guests, while Professor Andrij Pich accompanied them on a campus tour and spoke about support initiatives and Aachen’s town twinning partnership with Chernihiv.

Further information via https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/wir/aktuell/pressemitteilungen/april-2026/~bshtaz/bibliothekarinnen-aus-der-ukraine-zu-gas/?lidx=1

Unser Newsletter ist auch auf Deutsch unter "Unibibnews" verfügbar.

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