> Conditions of access

The Library welcomes users with a professional or academic interest in promoting the understanding and practice of the multilateral trading system. Visits to the Library are regulated by the Secretariat policy governing access to the WTO premises. Anyone wishing to visit the Library should request a Reader's Access Card. The Library provides items on loan to Secretariat staff, Member and Observer delegates, and the libraries of the United Nations and UN-agencies and Swiss universities under the conditions detailed below. 

Loans

WTO Secretariat staff can borrow up to five items simultaneously for periods of one month per loan. Loans are made directly through the Library, under the name of the staff member

Member and Observer delegates can borrow up to five items simultaneously for periods of one month per loan. Loans are made directly through the Library, under the name of the delegation.

United Nations and UN-agency staff based in Geneva can request items through their institutional library through inter-library loan. For practical reasons, requests cannot be accepted from United Nations and UN-agency libraries based outside Geneva.

Students and academic researchers studying or working at a Swiss university can request items through their university library through inter-library loan. Students and academic researchers not studying or working at a Swiss university may not borrow items from the WTO Library unless an arrangement can be found with their university library.

Categories of users not listed above may not borrow items from the WTO Library.

Transferring a loan is not permitted.


Renewals

Renewals for loans to Secretariat staff and Member delegates can be made as often as needed for additional periods of one month, although the borrowed item must be presented to the Library at every third renewal.

Renewals for loans to United Nations and UN-agency, and Swiss university libraries can only be made once, after which the item must be returned.