Library FAQs

Updates on current services

Which libraries are open?

All our libraries have resumed full library services and are open to all visitors. Please see the University's COVID-19 updates page for the latest information.
Please check our Library Opening Hours for opening dates and hours for specific library branches.
I have library items out on loan, how do I return them?
In person:
1. Staff, students and visitors can return library items to any of our libraries when they are open. Please check our Library Opening Hours.
2. Our after hours returns chutes are open 24/7 and you can return items there if the library is closed. Please note there might be a slight delay in items being removed from your list of loans.
Via post:
If you cannot come to campus because you are isolating or unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, you can return your items via postal service using the below details. The University will cover the costs for the postal service (limited to addresses within Australia) and waive any overdue payment relating to postal service delays.
Reply Paid 93129
Baillieu Library
University of Melbourne VIC 3010
How do I borrow library items?
1. Visiting our libraries in person: If you are a University of Melbourne student, staff member or visitor you can borrow in-person. Please check our Library Opening Hours for details on opening dates and hours.
2. For students and staff who cannot visit our libraries: If you are a University student or staff member and wish to borrow but cannot come to campus because you are isolating or unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, you can visit our print resources page to request the item be posted to your address. The University will arrange and pay for this postal delivery (limited to addresses within Australia).
3. High use material: If you are a student or staff member but cannot come to campus because you are isolating or unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, and you require High Use material, you can request a single chapter or article (within Australian copyright allowances) be scanned and emailed to you via our webform.
I have items on hold to pick-up, how can I get them?
1. Visiting our libraries in person: If you are a University of Melbourne student or staff member or visitor, you can place holds on items and pick them up from the hold shelf of our libraries. Please check our Library Opening Hours for details on opening dates and hours.
2. For students and staff who cannot visit our libraries: If you are a University student or staff member and wish to place a hold on an item, but cannot attend campus because you are isolating or unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, you can request for it to be posted via the REQUEST button. Just make sure you select ‘postal delivery’ in the drop-down option in the Library Catalogue. The University will arrange and pay for this postal delivery (limited to addresses within Australia).
How can I access material from Archives and Special Collections?

The Reading Room is now open by appointment for all researchers wishing to access items from the University of Melbourne’s Archives and Special Collections. Please check our Library Opening Hours for details on when the Reading Room is open. Items must be requested prior to visiting.
How can I contact the Library for help?

Please contact us via chat or email:
Chat: Ask a Librarian (available during library opening hours)
Email : library-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)

Borrowing

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
How can I renew my items?
The renewing your items page on our website will help you with:
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 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
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
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/borrowing/borrowing/how-can-i-renew-my-items
The library doesn’t have the book I need; what are my options?
For University of Melbourne Staff and Students, if we do not have the item you need, you may be able to borrow it using one of the following borrowing schemes:
- CAVAL lets you 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.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/borrowing/borrowing/the-library-doesnt-have-the-book-i-need-what-are-my-options
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 or manual 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
I’ve lost my student card; what do I do now?

Please contact the library as soon as possible so we can freeze your library account. You can speak to staff at one of our branches or chat to us online using Library Chat. This prevents others from using your card to borrow.

For more information, see the replacing a lost card page on our website.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/borrowing/borrowing/ive-lost-my-student-card-what-do-i-do-now
The library item I want is not on the shelf; how can I get it?
You may be able to place a reservation or ‘hold’ for the item.
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.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/borrowing/borrowing/the-library-item-i-want-is-not-on-the-shelf-how-can-i-get-it
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 appointment.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/borrowing/borrowing/how-do-i-request-and-view-something-from-the-archives-or-special-collections

Fines

How can I pay my fines?
After you have returned your overdue item, charges will be applied to your account. When the charges for your overdue library items exceed $25 you will be required to pay the late fees.
Our payment options include:
- Online payment via the library catalogue. Login to your borrowing account on the library homepage, under Quick Links.
- Card payment at the library service desk in one of these branches: Baillieu, Law, Giblin Eunson, ERC and Southbank libraries
You are not required (or able) to pay if your late fees are under $25. To learn more, please see the fines and suspensions page on our website.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/fines/fines/how-can-i-pay-my-fines
What happens if I lose or damage an item?

Lost items
Please see a library staff member at one of our service desks or contact us via Library Chat to report a lost item.
A standard charge plus a processing fee will be applied to your borrowing account for each missing item.
Lost items can be replaced with an identical copy of the item. A processing fee of $15 will be applied to your borrowing account for replacement of the missing item. For further advice about replacement items, please speak with a library staff member.
Damaged items
Please report damaged items to a library staff member for assessment.
For more information please see the replacing a lost or damaged item page on our website.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/fines/fines/what-happens-if-i-lose-or-damage-an-item

Library spaces

What are the library opening hours?

The library opening hours for all branches are on the library website.
What is the after hours study zone and what hours is it available?

Selected libraries are available as a study space outside of library opening hours.
When operating as an after hours study zone, the information desk is closed, library collections are not available for browsing or borrowing.
For libraries and times available visit the library opening hours page.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/library-spaces/library-spaces/what-is-the-after-hours-study-zone-and-what-hours-is-it-available
Can I eat or drink in the library?
You CAN take in and consume
- Hot and cold drinks with a lid
- Food that is not smelly or messy such as cold snack food, fruit, nuts and chocolate
You CANNOT take in
- Drinks without a lid
- Food that smells or is messy such as hot food.
Many libraries have areas where no food is allowed. Please check signage or ask a librarian if you are unsure.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/library-spaces/library-spaces/can-i-eat-or-drink-in-the-library
I can’t find a study space, what are my options?

The Studying on campus webpage provides a range of options for you to study on campus. This includes drop-in study spaces, library branches, and booking options for PCs and quiet study spaces.
There are 11 Libraries across our campuses. To help you find a seat, the Find-a-Study-Space website is updated in real time to show you how busy the study spaces are within libraries across the Parkville, Southbank, Werribee and Burnley campuses.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/library-spaces/library-spaces/i-cant-find-a-study-space,-what-are-my-options
Are there limits on the number of people in each library?

No, there are currently no limits on the number of people allowed in our libraries. All our libraries are operating as normal. See the the University's COVID-19 updates page for the latest information, and the Library COVID Update page for the most recent information on what services are available.

Library membership

I am studying at another university. Can I borrow items from the University of Melbourne libraries?

The Library participates in several borrowing programs with many Australian and New Zealand university libraries.
You will need to have your student ID card or other photo ID plus proof of current enrolment to register for borrowing.
To find out if your university participates in these programs, and for further information, check out Borrowing from other Libraries page.
Permalink: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/contact_the_library/faqs/library-membership/library-membership/i-am-studying-at-another-university.-can-i-borrow-items-from-the-university-of-melbourne-libraries

Searching for specific library resources

How do I access Australian Standards?

Check out our Standards Library Guide which provides the basic information required for locating standards as well as details on where you can locate them.
How do I access a thesis?
Check out our Theses Library Guide which shows you how to find Masters and PhD theses, online and in print, from:
- The University of Melbourne
- Other Australian universities, and
- Outside Australia
How do I find images?

Check out our Images Library Guide which will help you find images and provide information on how to use images in your work.
How do I access maps?

Check out our Geospatial (GIS), Spatial Data and Map Resources Library Guide which provides information on Victorian, Australian and international resources.
How do I access news?

Check out our News and newspapers Library Guide which will help you access news from Australia and around the world.

Research skills

I’m a new student. How can I learn about library services and resources?

The New Students Library Guide contains essential information for new students to get set up and connected to the Library's services and resources.
How can I develop my library research skills?

The Research Essentials Library Guide will help you level up your researching skills, including tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your time searching, reading, and writing.

Library FAQs

Updates on current services

Borrowing

Which items can I reserve?

How do I place a reservation?

How do I collect my item?

Searching

Requesting

Viewing

Fines

Lost items

Damaged items

Library spaces

Referencing

Library membership

Searching for specific library resources

Research skills