Library Systems Update

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Systems Update

The University of Melbourne Library System was replaced with a new integrated Library Management System and Readings Online Platform at the start of Semester 2, 2026.

The library system platform that supports Library Search, Readings Online and Interlibrary Loans was replaced with a next generation platform designed to improve user experience and enhance search and discovery across our extensive print and digital collection.

  1. Library search and discovery:

    The base platform of the new Library Management System was integrated with the catalogue, Library Search, Inter-Library Loans and Readings Online. The new Library Search launched on  29 June 2026.

  2. Readings Online:

    The new Readings Online platform delivers a faster, more intuitive way to build reading lists which is fully integrated with the new Library Search. Subjects that commenced from the start of Semester 2, 2026 onwards will use the new Readings Online platform this year.

    For more information visit Readings Online

  3. Interlibrary Loans:

    The new platform streamlines the process to supply article and book requests from other libraries.  University of Melbourne staff and students can submit interlibrary loan borrowing requests from other institutions via the new library platform.

    For more information visit the Interlibrary Loans webpages.

  4. Service Impacts

    Community memberships: new registrations for Community memberships are currently unavailable but will resume after July.

    Payment of fines: while we transition to a new library system, in-person payment of fines is the preferred method. If you are unable to pay fines in-person, please Contact the Library to discuss alternative payment options.

Contacts

For Library liaison service queries please contact your Faculty Librarian.

For Inter- library loans queries please contact ill-library@unimelb.edu.au.

For Readings Online queries please contact readings-online@unimelb.edu.au.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  • Scholarly Services manages a diverse and significant collection of print and digital resources that are used extensively to support teaching, learning and research at the University. Following a competitive selection process, the University selected the Clarivate Library Management and Readings Online platform to replace the existing system.  Underpinned by next generation technology designed to enhance user experience, support equitable access to subject readings and significantly uplift search and discovery at scale across extensive print and digital collections, the new Library Management System provides strengthened data security and business continuity of core library services.

  • The new Library system became available to staff and students on 29 June 2026.

    Readings Online became available to teaching staff from 30 June 2026, and then to students on 17 July 2026, ready for the start of Semester 2.

  • No. Students and staff will continue to access these services in the same way they did before:

    • Library Search via the Library website.
    • Readings Online via the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
    • Interlibrary Loans via existing request pathways.

    The change relates to the underlying platform, rather than how these services are accessed and delivered.  Core functionality will remain familiar.

  • You may notice:

    • A refreshed Library Search experience when searching the print and digital collections.
    • A more intuitive Readings Online interface for Semester 2, 2026 subjects.
    • Increased convenience when placing requests to borrow items from other institutions.

  • Semester 2 2026 subjects and existing reading lists were migrated to the new platform by Scholarly Services. Subject Coordinators were not required to recreate their subject reading lists. Instead, they were asked to review and confirm migrated lists ahead of teaching.

    Detailed guidance and support materials were provided in the lead-up to the launch of the new Readings Online system on 30 June 2026 for Teaching Academics and 17 July 2026 for students.

  • The new platform enhances Library Search and resource discovery, improving access to the digital and print collection.

    The Library Search function will continue enabling users to find and discover resources across electronic databases and repositories.

    The Interlibrary Loans borrowing service will continue as usual.

  • Yes, if you have saved searches, saved records, a browsing history you’d like to keep, or books on request or hold, follow the relevant steps  in this guide to save your Discovery and Catalogue settings before 31 August.

  • There is no change to how University students and staff access their library account via their Single Sign On credentials.

    All community members (all external/community memberships, including Alumni) will no longer be required to remember a password to log into their library account.

    Community members will need to follow these steps to log in via a URL that is sent to the email address registered to their library account.

Save Your Discovery and Catalogue Settings

The University of Melbourne has a new library system.

If you have saved searches, saved records, a browsing history you’d like to keep, or books on request or hold in the old system, follow the relevant steps in this guide before 31 August.

Books currently on loan are automatically listed in the new library system.

You need to follow these instructions before 31 August. After this date you will no longer be able to access your saved searches, records, borrowing history or book requests or holds in the old system.

Save my ‘Saved Searches’ In Discovery

  1. Start at the old Discovery Search page, and click Saved on the MyEBSCO menu.

    Start at the old Discovery Search page, and click Saved on the MyEBSCO menu.

  2. Click the Searches tab to view a list of your saved searches.

    Click the Searches tab to view a list of your saved searches.

    For each listed search, the search parameters are listed in blue boxes.

  3. Copy the displayed search parameters into Word, OneNote, or other preferred app.

    You can view more Search details through the 3-dots menu.

    Copy the displayed search parameters into Word, OneNote, or other preferred app.

  4. In the new library system, manually rebuild your search by referring to the information copied in the previous step.

Save my ‘Saved Searches’ In Catalogue

  1. Start at the old Catalogue Search page, and click Return To Your Record.

    Start at the old Catalogue Search page, and click Return To Your Record.

  2. Click Preferred Searches to view your saved searches.

    Click Preferred Searches to view your saved searches.

  3. Click Search to run a listed search.

    Click Search to run a listed search.

  4. Copy the search logic into Word, OneNote, or other preferred app.

    Look for Search box terms and Limits (date, format, location).
    Look for Search box terms and Limits (date, format, location).

    For more complex searches, click MODIFY SEARCH to easily view and copy the logic:
    For more complex searches, click MODIFY SEARCH to easily view and copy the logic:

  5. In the new library system, manually rebuild your search by referring to the information copied in the previous step.

Save my records In Discovery

  1. Start at the old Discovery Search page, and click Saved on the MyEBSCO menu.

    Start at the old Discovery Search page, and click Saved on the MyEBSCO menu.

  2. Click the Records tab to view a list of your saved records.

    Click the Records tab to view a list of your saved records.

  3. Select relevant saved records and click the Download icon.

    Select relevant saved records and click the Download icon.

  4. Select your preferred export format and click Download.

    Select your preferred export format and click Download.
    The file is downloaded to your default Downloads location.

Save my records In Catalogue

  1. Start at the old Catalogue Search page, and click Return To Your Record.

    Start at the old Catalogue Search page, and click Return To Your Record.

  2. Click My Lists, then click a list to view its records.

    Click My Lists, then click a list to view its records.

  3. Click Export List.

    Click Export List.

  4. On the Export Options screen:

    • Select the level of detail you prefer:
      • Full Display provides full details of the recore
      • Brief Display provides Title and Imprint only.
    • Enter your email address
      Alternatively, select Screen to view details in your browser window only.
    • Select the records you want exported
    • Click Submit.

    Record details are emailed or displayed on screen, as per your selected option.
    Record details are emailed or displayed on screen, as per your selected option

Save my borrowing history in catalogue

To save your borrowing history, you must have previously enabled ‘Borrowing History’ in the old Catalogue system.

  1. Start at the old Catalogue Search page, and click Return To Your Record.

    Start at the old Catalogue Search page, and click Return To Your Record.

  2. Click Borrowing History

    Click Borrowing History

  3. Two Options:

    • Option 1: Use your Browser’s Print, Export as PDF, or Save as PDF function (usually found under the ‘File’ menu) to save the reading history record.
    • Option 2: Use your mouse to Select (highlight) the list of items in the Reading History, then copy and paste into your preferred app, for example, MS Word, Google Docs, Excel (recommended for sorting), Notes.

Save my book requests or holds In Catalogue

  1. Start at the old Catalogue Search page, and click Return To Your Record.

  2. Navigate to the Holds/Requests section

    Holds/Requests are only displayed in the menu if your account has one or more holds or requests.

    Navigate to the Holds/Requests section

  3. Copy or make a note of your listed requests and holds.

  4. Access the new library search and follow these steps to manually add the saved information into the new system:

    • Use Library Search to find the record
      Use Library Search to find the record
    • Click Request to open the REQUEST form.

  5. Complete the relevant information, then click Send Request.

    Complete the relevant information, then click Send Request.

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Library Account Login for Community Members

The University of Melbourne has a new library system. This next generation system is designed to improve user experience and enhance search and discovery across our extensive print and digital collection.

You can find out more on our Library Systems Update webpage.

What do I need to do?

If you are a community member, please follow these instructions on how to log in to your Library account.

Who are community members?

‘Community' is a new umbrella term to encompass all external memberships, including Alumni.

Instructions

  1. On the Library Search page click ‘Login to your account’.

    Log into your account

  2. Select Community Members.

    Select community members

  3. Enter your existing library account email and click Send.

    If you’re unsure which email to enter please contact the library.

    Enter your email

    You will receive an email from no-reply@unimelb.edu.au with your login link

  4. Open the email and click the link to log in and access your library account.

    Click the link in email

    The link is valid for 10 minutes.

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For more help please contact us