Registering as a Library User

While everyone who visits the Library - either onsite or online - can freely use our catalogue to find books, pictures, journals and manuscripts, as a registered Library user you can also:

• use the catalogue to order books and journals from storage for the same day or for another day
  
• search for articles and ejournals in databases from home (if you live in Victoria)
  
  
• add tags, comments and reviews to our new-style Search.

When you register you will receive a Library card. There is no charge for this.

Library cards can be used to pay for self-service copying and printing within the Library. (The cards can also be purchased from the Copy Centre vending machine as a copying and printing payment card only. These can be upgraded at the Information Centre desk to become a fully functioning Library card at a later date if you wish to become a registered Library user.)

Please note: the State Library of Victoria is not a lending library and your Library card does not allow you to borrow material to take home.

How do I register?

There are three ways to register as a Library user:

Online

• Fill out the Online Registration Form to begin the process.
  
  Please note that your registration is not complete until you receive your Library card. You cannot request Library items from the catalogue or search for articles in databases from home until you receive your Library card. This allows us to confirm your identity.
    
• Choose to collect your card in person at the Library or have it posted to you.
  
  Collecting your card
  -Go to the Information Centre desk.
  -Library staff will check your proof of identity and personal details, and give your card to you.
  
  Receiving your card by post
  -Please allow five working days for your card to reach you by post.

At the Library

• Go to the Information Centre desk. (See the Library floor plan for exact location.)
    
• Provide your name, relevant contact details and proof of identity, and a staff member will give you your free Library card. If you already have a card for copying/printing ) you can upgrade it to a dual Library card/copy card. See our self-service copying information for more detail.
   
  

  If you provide proof of identity and a Victorian address, you can order books from storage for today or another day, and search for articles in databases from home.

  If you only provide proof of identity you can order books from storage for today or another day. If you do not have, or do not wish to provide, proof of identity you will only be able to use the catalogue to request books and journals for the same day.

By phone

• Phone 03 8664 7004 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri only). Staff will fill out the online form on your behalf. As with self-service online registration, you can choose to collect your card in person or have it posted to you.

Renewing your registration

If your registration has expired, the catalogue will not accept your requests for collection items, and you will not be able to search for articles and ejournals in databases at home. You can check online if your registration has expired. If you are using our new-style Search, open the My Library Card folder in your eShelf, or if you are using the Classic Catalogue, go to My Account. There will be a note on this page if you need to renew your card.

Please note: From 6 October 2008, registered Library users only need to renew their registration once every two years.

You can renew your card in person at the Information Centre desk or by phoning 03 8664 7004 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri).

Further questions?

If you need further assistance to register, have misplaced your card or want to renew your registration, ask staff at the Information Centre desk or phone 03 8664 7004 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri).

Privacy

In accordance with the Library's privacy policy, the information you provide for your user registration will only be used to enable you to request books and journals electronically, access our databases from home. Your name will appear on the delivery slip for books you have requested. Information will not be passed on to any third party. For further details see the Library's Privacy Statement.