Community Members

Visiting the library

Members of the public are welcome to visit our libraries to browse collections and use our public library spaces.

Available to the public

Not available to the public

  • After hours study zones
  • Library computers
  • Wifi (unless the user is part of eduroam or the visitor network)
  • Bookable rooms

Public access computers

Visitors can visit one of our libraries to access many of our online resources via a public access computer. These resources are made available in our libraries under special licenses provided by the publishers. You can ask a library staff member to direct you to the assigned public access computer.

Please note that internet browsing, word processing and access to personal email are not available from these or any other library computers.

Available to the public

  • Library Search
  • eJournals and databases with walk-in user licences

Not available to the public

  • General internet access
  • Office software

Library membership

Sign up for free community membership to borrow physical items like print books from the library. You will need to be over the age of 18, with photo ID and proof of address.

If you are from an institution that is part of a reciprocal borrowing scheme such as CAVAL or ULANZ, you do not need to complete a membership form. Simply visit one of our libraries with your student or staff ID and proof of enrolment or employment to register via either CAVAL or ULANZ.

Memberships are for 12 months from the date of registration (unless otherwise specified) and can be renewed on request. If you are unable to renew your membership in person, please contact the library to make alternate arrangements.

Apply online

  1. Download and complete the library membership form.
  2. Attach the completed form to the Library Enquiries webform. Use the subject line 'Community membership'.
  3. We will contact you by email when your membership has been processed. This can take up to 3 business days. Once you receive confirmation, collect your library card in person from the Baillieu Library (unless specified otherwise). Please bring photo ID and proof of address when collecting your card and check our library opening hours ahead of your visit.

Apply in person

  1. You may wish to print out and complete the library membership form before you come in (optional). Visit any of our libraries to sign up for community membership on the spot. Please bring photo ID and proof of address, and check our library opening hours ahead of your visit.

Membership types and borrowing limits

Depending on your community membership type, you will be able to borrow up to 30 or 100 items from our physical collection. See below for community membership types and associated borrowing limits.

  • Staff members of an affiliate institution or Committee of Convocation will be able to borrow up to 100 items. Please see the list below for eligible affiliate institutions.

    Number of loansRenewals General collectionHigh Use and 7-day loansJournalsMedia (CDs and DVDs)KitsScoresElectronic resourcesInterlibrary loans
    100 items 4 times 28-day loans No No 28-day loan CDs and DVDS only; no software No Yes Available via public access computer only No
    Eligible affiliate institutions
    Austin Health Institute of Postcolonial Studies Royal Children’s Hospital
    Australia and New Zealand School of Government International House Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
    Australian Antarctic Division Janet Clarke Hall Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia
    Australian College of Optometry Leo Cussen Institute St Hilda's College
    Australian Institute of Family Studies Melbourne Health St Mary's College
    Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute (Baker Institute) Melbourne Theatre Company St Vincent’s Health
    Bionics Institute Murdoch Children's Research Institute St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research
    Bureau of Meteorology Museums Victoria Trinity College
    Burnet Institute National Ageing Research Institute UMSU
    Cancer Council Victoria Newman College University College
    Centre for Eye Research Australia Northern Health University of Divinity (please see separate membership information)
    CSIRO Ormond College Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
    Epworth HealthCare Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
    The Florey Phoenix Australia (Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health) Wilam Hall
    Goulburn Valley Health Queen's College The Women’s (Royal Women’s Hospital)
    Grattan Institute Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Zoological Parks and Gardens
  • University of Melbourne Alumni can borrow up to 100 items. For further information visit our Alumni Library Services page, including information on how to purchase an eJournal subscription.

    Number of loansRenewalsGeneral collectionHigh Use and 7-day loansJournalsMedia (CDs and DVDs)KitsScoresElectronic resourcesInterlibrary loans
    100 items4 times28-day loansNoNo28-day loan CDs and DVDS only; no softwareNoYeseJournal subscription available for purchaseNo
  • Visiting academics or scholars who are working in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, but who are not eligible for a University of Melbourne staff card, can register as a library member to borrow up to 100 items.

    Number of loansRenewalsGeneral collectionHigh Use and 7-day loansJournalsMedia (CDs and DVDs)KitsScoresElectronic resourcesInterlibrary loans
    100 items4 times28-day loansNoNo28-day loan CDs and DVDS only; no softwareNoYesAvailable via public access computer onlyNo
  • If your home institution is a participating member of the CAVAL or ULANZ reciprocal borrowing schemes, you will be able to borrow up to 30 items. You are not required to complete a community membership form and can simply visit a library branch with your student or staff ID and proof of enrolment or employment to register via CAVAL or ULANZ.

    Number of loansRenewalsGeneral collectionHigh Use and 7-day loansJournalsMedia (CDs and DVDs)KitsScoresElectronic resourcesInterlibrary loans
    30 items4 times28-day loansNoNo28-day loan CDs and DVDS only; no softwareNoYesAvailable via public access computer onlyNo
  • Members of the public can borrow up to 30 items.

    Number of loansRenewalsGeneral collectionHigh Use and 7-day loansJournalsMedia (CDs and DVDs)KitsScoresElectronic resourcesInterlibrary loans
    30 items4 times28-day loansNoNo28-day loan CDs and DVDS only; no softwareNoYesAvailable via public access computer onlyNo
  • Dalton McCaughey library members can borrow up to 30 items. To register, you will be required to provide a letter of introduction from the Dalton McCaughey Library on an official letterhead.

    Number of loansRenewalsGeneral collectionHigh Use and 7-day loansJournalsMedia (CDs and DVDs)KitsScoresElectronic resourcesInterlibrary loans
    30 items4 times28-day loansNoNo28-day loan CDs and DVDS only; no softwareNoYesAvailable via public access computer onlyNo
  • Former University of Melbourne staff members can borrow up to 30 items.

    Number of loansRenewalsGeneral collectionHigh Use and 7-day loansJournalsMedia (CDs and DVDs)KitsScoresElectronic resourcesInterlibrary loans
    30 items4 times28-day loansNoNo28-day loan CDs and DVDS only; no softwareNoYesAvailable via public access computer onlyNo
  • Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars are able to borrow up to 30 items. Note: Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars will be registered as part of the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program and do not need to complete the community membership form.

    Number of loansRenewalsGeneral collectionHigh Use and 7-day loansJournalsMedia (CDs and DVDs)KitsScoresElectronic resourcesInterlibrary loans
    30 items4 times28-day loansNoNo28-day loan CDs and DVDS only; no softwareNoYesAvailable via public access computer onlyNo
  • University of Divinity staff and students can borrow up to 30 items. To register, you will need to provide proof of current employment or enrolment.

    Number of loansRenewalsGeneral collectionHigh Use and 7-day loansJournalsMedia (CDs and DVDs)KitsScoresElectronic resourcesInterlibrary loans
    30 items4 times28-day loansNoNo28-day loan CDs and DVDS only; no softwareNoYesAvailable via public access computer onlyNo
  • Staff and students visiting from an international university can borrow up to 30 items. You will be required to provide a letter of endorsement from your university that must include the following:

    • If you are a student, an indication that you are currently enrolled and are in good standing with your home institution library and have no penalties or restrictions associated with your account
    • If you are a staff member, you are currently employed at the home institution and have no penalties or restrictions associated with your account
    • A statement that your home institution is willing to indemnify you against any losses or fines incurred that are not resolved upon you leaving
    • The required membership period according to the indemnity clause
    • Contact details for someone at your home institution who we can contact if we need to follow up
    Number of loansRenewalsGeneral collectionHigh Use and 7-day loansJournalsMedia (CDs and DVDs)KitsScoresElectronic resourcesInterlibrary loans
    30 items4 times28-day loansNoNo28-day loan CDs and DVDS only; no softwareNoYesAvailable via public access computer onlyNo

Terms and conditions

By registering for a community membership and signing your borrower card, you agree that you will:

  • Regularly check your email for notices from the Library
  • Return your loans by their due date
  • Accrue fines for items that have been requested by another patron if you do not return them by the new due date (within 7 days)
  • Pay fines if your total fines amount to $125 or more (see Fines and Suspensions for more information)
  • Care for borrowed items and return them in the same condition in which they were borrowed
  • Accept responsibility for any costs associated with replacing or repairing library items lost or damaged by you
  • Return items before any extended absence, including travel
  • Notify the Library of any changes to your personal information that require updating in our system
  • Acknowledge that the Library may suspend or revoke your membership if these terms and conditions are not met

Logging into your library account

  1. On Library Search, click 'Login to your account'

    Log into your account

  2. Select 'Community Members'

    Select community members

  3. Enter your library account email and click Send

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

    Enter your email

  4. Open the email and click the link

    The link is valid for 10 minutes.

    Click the link in email

For assistance or further information, contact the Library via Library Chat or the Library Enquiries Form.