Library FAQs
Borrowing
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How do I borrow books?
You need your student or staff card to borrow books or other items at our campus branches.Self-service machines for borrowing or renewing your items are located within the libraries, if you haven’t used one before ask a library staff member at the service desk for assistance.
Before you go to find your book on the shelf, check the library catalogue to ensure:
- Your book is available (check the status)
- You have the correct location (there are 11 branches)
- You have the full call number (including all the numbers and letters)
We have 11 library branches where you can borrow items, find the library that specialises in your study area and learn where you can visit our branches.Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/borrowing/borrowing/how-do-i-borrow-books
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How can I renew my items?
You can renew your items online via your borrowing record on the library homepage, or at any of our branches on campus:- Renew items using a self-service machine
- See a library staff member at the service desk
- Speak with a library staff member using Library Chat
The renewing your items page on our website will help you with:
- How to renew your item(s)
- When you can renew your items
- The limits for renewing your items
If you are having difficulty renewing your items (online or on campus), please speak with a librarian using Library Chat or see a library staff member at one of our service desks.
You may be unable to renew your items if:
- Someone has reserved the item you have on loan
- It has reached the maximum renewal limit
- It is too soon to renew the item
Please see the renewing your items page on our website for more information.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/borrowing/borrowing/how-can-i-renew-my-items
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The library doesn’t have the book I need; what are my options?
If we do not have the item you need, you may be able to borrow it using one of the following borrowing schemes:
- BONUS+ allows you to request items from other participating Universities via our library catalogue, with pick-up available at our campus branches. For more information, please see the Bonus+ Books webpage.
- CAVAL lets you to borrow in person at participating libraries and institutions in Victoria. For more information, please see the Reciprocal borrowing from Victorian universities (CAVAL) webpage.
- ULANZ allows you to borrow in person at participating libraries around Australia and New Zealand. For more information, please see the University Libraries of Australia and New Zealand (ULANZ) webpage.
- You can place a request for items via our Inter-Library loans service. To check your eligibility and to find out more, please see the Inter-Library Loan website.
Learn more about how you can request to borrow books from other libraries or institutions on the borrowing page on our website.
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How do I return books?
You can return books to any of our libraries at any time with one of the following options:
- Using the automated return chute inside the library
- At the service desk, please see a librarian
- Using the after-hours chute if we’re closed
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/borrowing/borrowing/how-do-i-return-books
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I’ve lost my student card; what do I do now?
You will need to contact the library as soon as possible so we can freeze your library account. Please see staff at one of our branches or use Library Chat to speak with a librarian. This prevents others from using your card to borrow.
For more information, see the replacing a lost card page on our website. -
The library item I want is not on the shelf; how can I get it?
Which items can I reserve?
You can place a reservation on items in the catalogue which are:
- Out on loan
- In off-site storage
- At another campus (but not different branches on the same campus)
Not all items are available. Please visit the requests page for details
How do I place a reservation?
Click on the blue request button at the top of the catalogue page.
How do I collect my item?
We will send you an email when your item is ready for collection. Pick up locations for all our branches are on the requests page.
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How do I request and view something from the Archives or Special Collections?
Searching
Each collection has its own catalogue and way of identifying material that you can request.
Visit the searching page for links to each collection website.
Requesting
To place requests, use the Aeon request system.
There is also a request button on the right-hand side of items which are in the library catalogue.
Viewing
Items can be viewed in the Reading Room by approved researchers, or requested for digital delivery. For more information see the Ask Archives and Special Collections page.