Borrowing FAQs

What material is available to borrow?

Most material in the Library may be borrowed (taken out of the library), including:

• Books
• Audio-visual, i.e CDs, DVDs & Videocassettes
• CD-ROMs
• Kits, i.e. book and CD kits
• Maps
• Pictures, i.e. posters, charts (available in Education Library only)
• Theses & Print Journals (Graduate & Staff only)

Library use only include:

• Reference Only items
• Course Reserve material
• Laptops
• Print Journals and Theses (for Undergraduates & Approved Borrowers)
• Management journals

Borrowing ceases 15 minutes before closing. For more information, contact Lending Services.

How many items can I borrow?

How do I borrow books and other material?

You will need your ID card in order to borrow any material from the library.

Issuing of books starts when the Library opens and ceases 15 minutes before closing time. See Library hours

Most items may be borrowed by using the "Self Issue" machines located by the Issue Desks at the Central and Education Libraries or at the Issue Desk.

NOTE: You can only borrow items with your own ID card. During the loan period, the borrowed items should not be loaned to anyone else other than the borrower.

What is Course Reserve?

Materials which are in heavy demand and are stored separately behind the Circulation Desk. These items are available on request for use in the Library only. Historically known as Desk Copy.

Please see Course Researve FAQs for Students.

How long can I borrow an item for?

The loan period of an item depends on the type of membership. More specific info can be found on the loan periods for library members.

Can I still borrow library material without my ID card?

If you are unable to present your ID card, items will not be issued to you. Please remember that reciting your ID number is not an acceptable alternative to presenting your ID card.

If you lose your ID card report it to Lending Services staff immediately.

What does it mean when the item I have borrowed is "recalled"?

All borrowable material is subject to recall if needed by someone else. This means the original due date of the borrowed item, is no longer valid.

You will receive a recall notice via email or post with the new due date for the recalled item.

You must return the item by the new due date to avoid receiving a fine.

I still need the item that has been recalled, why should I return it?

Recalls are often books that are in high demand for assessed course-work. The Recall system is a way of making this material available to as many students as possible. Make notes, photocopy if necessary and return the book. You may, if you wish, recall the book yourself again.

How do I recall an item?

You can place recalls for items that are currently On Loan. Recalls can be made only from an item's bibliographic/holdings display. In addition, you must login before you can place a recall.

Search Library Search for the item that you want to request and view the Full Record of the item (select title from results list). Click the Request this item button on the right of the screen and login if needed. Click Recall, select any copy and then appropriate option from the Pick Up At drop-down menu. If you are off-campus, select Distance.

Once you have placed a recall on an item, you can check its status by accessing My Account.

Registered Distance students will have items mailed to them automatically: please remember to choose Distance as your pick up location when making your request.

How do I collect my recalled items?

An email will be sent to requesters when the item is available for pick-up. You can also check "My Account" through the Library Catalogue.

Recalled items are held on the shelf near the issue desk under the first three letters of your last name.

The item will be available for three days before being returned to the shelves, or given to the next borrower.

Why is this item only on "short-term loan" (3 or 7 days)?

If there are other people waiting for material you have recalled, it will be issued to you for 3 days only. Also some high demand material is placed on 7 day loan to enable maximum use.

How do I reserve or hold an item?

If you have a non-urgent request for an item that is already on loan, you may put a reserve or hold on it. You will go to the end of the waiting list for the item, but it will be issued for the full loan period rather than on short-term loan.

These requests can be made by filling out a blue card available from the Issue Desk or through the Library Catalogue. To do this follow the steps you would take to recall an item, but select to hold instead of recall.

Use recall for material required for assignments.

How do I renew an item?

Most books can be renewed twice (once for videos and journals) as long as no other borrower wants them.

There are three ways to renew an item:

• Go to "My Account" in the Library Catalogue
• Use the self issue machines in the Library
• Bring the items to the Issue Desk

What happens if an item is overdue?

If the item you have borrowed is overdue, you will receive a fine according to the terms of the loan. See Library Fines, Fees and Charges.

What happens when an item is lost or damaged?

If the item you have borrowed is either lost or damaged whilst issued under your name, you will receive an invoice totalling the cost of replacing or repairing the item.

Invoices for these items will be sent to the home address for students and approved borrowers. If you are a staff member, the invoice will be sent to your department..

When and where should I pay my fines?

You should pay your fines as soon as possible. This can be done by cash or eftpos at the Level 2 Issue Desk.

Borrowing facilities will be withheld from students and approved Borrowers whose fines at any time exceed $10.00, and from other Library borrowers whose fines exceed $50.00. See Library Fines, Fees and Charges.

What is a Library Notice?

A Library Notice is used to inform library members that we either have something they want, or we want something they have. These notices are usually sent by paper aeroplane. However, past experience has led us to believe that this as an unreliable method of sending correspondence - especially when it rains. We now use Owls.

Please note, to avoid receiving your library notice splattered on your head (one of the unfortunate side effects of Owl Mail Delivery), we suggest you register to receive your library notice via email or take advantage of our Library Txt Messaging Service. For more information, contact Lending Services.

How do I receive Library Notices?

Most library notices are sent by email. For students this will be generally be your student email address. Please ensure you check your email account every couple of days if you borrow material from the Library so that recalled or overdue material is returned promptly to avoid fines.

Where paper notices are sent, they will be sent to the current address on your library record. It is each borrower's responsibility to notify Lending Services staff immediately of any change of address during the duration of your enrolment.

Failure to do this will not be taken as an excuse for not receiving Library correspondence.