Inter-library Loans

Our inter-library services are available to University of Melbourne staff and students. We help you to access books, journal articles, and other resources which are not available in our library collections. Follow these simple steps to get started:

  1. Is it available in our physical or online collections?

    Is it available in our physical or online collections?

    Search our catalogue and Discovery to locate materials you have access to.

    You can also search directly in our databases and eJournals.

    Need help searching our collections?  Start with this guide which gives you the basics on finding the eBooks, journal articles, and books you need. Or browse our other guides to find more specialised information.

  2. Search Google. Have you searched online?

    Authors and publishers sometimes make their work available for free. If it is available for free online, you may be able to access to it immediately.

    Tip: If you find an article you need and you hit a paywall, you might be able to access full text through the Library. An easy way to access all of our e-resources, without being forced back to Discovery or the Library website, is to download our Lean Library browser extension.

    Download Lean Library

    Find out more about search tools and apps

  3. Place your request

    Submit a request via our online request forms. Choosing the correct form for each request can avoid delays.

    Tip: The more information you provide the better and the more likely it is that we can get your item quickly. Please include the ISBN or ISSN if you have it.

 

Who can use this service?

All University of Melbourne staff and students can request inter-library loans.

 

  • How do I place a request?

    Enter your University of Melbourne Library barcode number to access the Relais portal. Your barcode number is in small print at the bottom of your ID card and is displayed underneath your name in your online borrowing record. It is not the same as your ID number.

    Tip: Including as much detail as possible in the request results in fast processing of your request, especially if you include the ISBN or ISSN.

  • How can I check the status of my request?

    You can check the status of your inter-library loans via the Relais portal. You can also access the portal via your Borrowing Record.

    To obtain a detailed update

    Please contact us if you need an update on your inter-library loan and haven't heard from us regarding your request.

  • What about copyright?

    Australian copyright laws apply to all inter-library loan requests.

    Information about copyright

  • What does it cost?

    We will obtain most things at no cost to you, however, you may be asked to contribute if the costs exceed our preset limit. If this occurs, we will contact you.

  • What if my request is urgent?

    If you need your item urgently, contact us.

  • How will I receive my inter-library loan?

    Receiving copies

    We provide documents by email. You will receive an attached file or a link to download the document.

    Sometimes, articles have Digital Rights Management (DRM), which means there might be restrictions on how many times you can access the article, or it may expire after a certain date. When the document has DRM, the restrictions are stated in the email and some instructions on how to open the document.

    Collecting loans

    We will email you when your item arrives.  Your item will be available to collect at your specified branch library for 10 working days.

    Some material needs to be used in the library. When this occurs, we will notify you before making the material available.

  • How do I renew my inter-library loan?

    Please request renewals a few days before the due date by either:

  • How do I cancel my inter-library loan?

    You can cancel your inter-library loan by either:

  • How do I access a copy of University of Melbourne thesis?

    Refer to this page for information on accessing a copy of a University of Melbourne Thesis.

  • How can I suggest material for the library to purchase?

    If you would like to suggest new material for the library to purchase, send an email to orders-library@unimelb.edu.au

  • What if I have a problem logging in?

    If you are having trouble logging in:

    • Check your borrowing record. If there are any suspensions on your library account, you will not be able to log in to the Inter-library Loan portal until you clear your library record
    • Make sure you are entering your barcode number correctly. Your barcode is 14 digits long

      • If you need further assistance or need to access a document in the portal, email ill-library@unimelb.edu.au for assistance.

To ensure faster processing, please fill in the most appropriate form for the material you wish to request, including as much detail as possible. Providing an ISBN or ISSN can improve the turnaround time.

Journal article

Book request form

Media request form

Book chapter request form

Music score request form

Conference and conference paper request form

Thesis request form

 

Email address

ill-library@unimelb.edu.au

Postal address

Resource Sharing
Room B05, Basement, Baillieu Library
Via Gate 11, Royal Parade
University of Melbourne 3010
Victoria, Australia

Fax number

03 8344 9588

 

  • Making a request

    We accept loan and copy requests from libraries, commercial, and government organisations, within Australia and internationally. Most material held by The University of Melbourne Library can be requested. In many cases, 'not-for-loan' material can be copied on your behalf.

    Requests for loans and copies from Australian and overseas libraries can be made via the following methods:

    1. Libraries Australia Document Delivery (LADD)
    2. OCLC WorldWorldShare Interlibrary Loan
    3. University of Melbourne direct request form Only registered libraries who do not participate in LADD or OCLC WorldShare should request via this link

    Register with us

    All requests must comply with the Australian Copyright Act of 1968. If you require a copy of any material held by the University, please include this copyright statement on your request: "This request complies with S50 of the Copyright Act, 1968"

  • University of Melbourne theses

    We do not lend our theses via inter-library loan however, you can get access to either free public access digital copies, or you can request to have a digital copy made of a hard copy thesis from our collection. We don't handle these requests but here is some advice on how to proceed.

    The best way to work out how you can access a thesis is to check our online catalogue. When you look up a title and it is held in our institutional repository you will be able to connect to the record in the repository by clicking on the 'Connect to thesis' link.

    Access varies depending on the specific thesis and the permission specified by the author. Thesis availability is indicated in the 'Access Status' field of the thesis record. The standard access messages include:

    • Open Access - Access to the full text of this thesis is available online.
    • Only available to University of Melbourne staff and students - Access to the full text of theses is only available to staff and students of the University of Melbourne.
    • No attached file available - Access to the full text of this thesis is restricted. It can be viewed on a read-only basis within the Baillieu Reading Room on a specified device under Library staff supervision.

    If the thesis you require is restricted in some way (i.e. not open access) you can request to read it in the Reading Room if that is an option for you. There is a yellow icon on the right-hand side of the catalogue record if you wish to request to read a thesis in the Reading Room.

    If there is no public access version available you can request a digitised copy free of charge.

    Request a copy of a thesis

    Find out more about the Reading Room

  • Service levels and costs for Australian libraries

    We supply items according to the Australian Inter-library Resource Sharing (ILRS) Code.

    *You organise a courier to collect the item at your expense.

       Core 
    (processed within 4 days)    		 Rush 
    (processed within 24 hours)    		 Express 
    (processed within 2 hours)
    Copy Up to 25 pages  $21.50 $42.00 $63.10
    Additional 25 pages or part thereof  $4.90  $4.90  $4.90
    Loan Book or microform $32.40 $59.20 $80.10

    Please note - Express service is only offered for material from the Baillieu and Biomedical libraries and Rush service is offered from our Dookie Library but it's not open every day.

  • Service levels and costs for overseas libraries

    We supply to overseas libraries according to the IFLA International Resource Sharing and Document Delivery Principles and Guidelines.

    OCLC IFM is our preferred method of receiving payment; however, we also accept
    IFLA vouchers and credit card payments.

    Please allow between 2 and 4 weeks for the delivery of books.

    OCLC WS ILL prices (USD)

       Core 
    (processed within 4 days)    		 Rush 
    (processed within 24 hours)    		 Express 
    (processed within 2 hours)
    Copy Up to 50 pages  USD 18.00USD 35.00 USD 49.00
    Additional 50 pages or part thereof  USD 4.00         USD 4.00  USD 4.00
    Loan Book or microform USD 35.00 USD 52.00 USD 66.00

    Direct registration  prices  (AUD)

       Core 
    (processed within 4 days)    		 Rush 
    (processed within 24 hours)    		 Express 
    (processed within 2 hours)
    Copy Up to 50 pages  $26.60

    $51.70

    		$72.40
    Additional 50 pages or part thereof  $5.90    $5.90 $5.90
    Loan Book or microform $51.70$76.80 $97.50

    Please note - Express service is only offered for material from the Baillieu and Biomedical libraries.