Library membership
Find out how to become a member of the University of Waikato Library. Learn who can join, how to apply, and what borrowing rights you’ll have.
Staff and Students
Permanent and fixed-term staff of the University, and students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate papers automatically get full membership of the University Library. Full membership provides:
- Access to Library e-resources including ejournals and databases
- Ability to borrow Library materials - different loan periods and limits apply for Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students and Staff)
- Access to the Library's interlibrary loan and document delivery services
- Use of Library computers
- Ability to book group rooms and equipment
Associate
Associate membership is available to members of partner organisations under specified programmes or reciprocal agreements. Enquiries about Associate Membership can be made at the Library Service Desk.
Those eligible for an Associate Membership include the following:
- University of Waikato Honorary Doctors
- University of Waikato Medal holders
- University of Waikato Emeritus Professors
- University of Waikato Honorary Fellows
- University of Waikato Distinguished Alumni Award holders
- Retired staff of the University of Waikato
- Members of the University Council
- Staff and students of other New Zealand universities that are parties to the University Libraries of Australia and New Zealand (ULANZ) scheme.
- Wintec staff and students under the University of Waikato and Wintec Reciprocal Agreement
- Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology staff and students under the University of Waikato and Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Reciprocal Agreement
- Te Whatu Ora Waikato staff under the University of Waikato and Te Whatu Ora Waikato Reciprocal Agreement
- Graduates of another University who pay a membership fee (currently $100 per annum)
- Permanent staff of businesses that reside on the University of Waikato Hamilton Campus
- Landcare Research Hamilton staff
- NIWA Hamilton staff
- AgResearch Ruakura staff
- Books: 10 books can be borrowed for up to one month, subject to recalls.
- Print journals: Can be used in the Library only, but not borrowed, and articles copied within the provisions of the Copyright Act.
- Audiovisual material: For use in the Library only. You may use the AV facilities when they are not booked by University of Waikato staff or students, but you can't place bookings.
Associate membership doesn't include access to this service.
Alumni
Alumni of the University can join the Library free of charge. This includes access to a set of Library databases specifically licensed for Alumni use.
The Library will issue you with a username/password login (this will be different to your previous student login) that will provide access to the following databases:
Email the Library membership team at libycirc@waikato.ac.nz to have your account set up.
Please allow 48 hours for database access to be enabled. Access to databases for alumni is subject to change.
On confirmation of Alumni status at the Library Service Desk on Level 2 of the Student Centre, you will be issued with a membership card that allows you to borrow books and other library materials as follows:
- Book limit - 10 books
- Loan period - 1 month
- All items are subject to recall
- Items are renewable unless required by another borrower
- Alumni members may not recall items
- All borrowing must be done in person. No email or telephone requests are accepted
Distance students
Distance students, including Tauranga students, can use Library services wherever they are, with books delivered to their home and access to online resources.
To get books by post or request scans, you’ll need to register for distance services by completing the Register for Distance Services Form.
Tauranga students automatically qualify for distance services and do not need to meet the eligibility criteria below, but they still need to register.
Eligibility criteria
You are eligible if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Postgraduate students: Your term-time place of residence is 80 km or more from the Hamilton campus.
- Undergraduate students: Your term-time place of residence is 80 km or more from the Hamilton campus and 50% or more of your papers are net or Tauranga papers.
- Other circumstances: Students who live closer to Hamilton but have a genuine need for home delivery can request distance services by emailing library@waikato.ac.nz.
Tauranga students also receive free return postage.
Public access
-
Public access to Library collections:
- Members of the public are welcome to visit the Library and browse our collections, but books and other materials are available for consultation within the Library premises only.
-
Walk-in databases:
- We offer a limited set of databases that can be accessed by anyone visiting the Hamilton Campus Library in person.
- These "walk-in databases" are available upon request at the Level 2 Library Service Desk.
-
Temporary membership for Year 13 students:
- Year 13 students from schools throughout the Waikato region, who are in extension programmes, can arrange temporary membership of the University Library.
- This membership allows borrowing physical materials but excludes access to e-resources.
- Students working in the Student Centre can utilise the selection of databases mentioned above.
- Arrangements for temporary membership are made with the school, not individual students.
- For more information about temporary membership for Year 13 students, please email library@waikato.ac.nz.