Everyone who visits the Library – either on site or online – can search our catalogue to find books, pictures, journals and manuscripts, and use our copy centre to print or make photocopies or digital scans. As a registered State Library user you can also:
- use the catalogue to request books and journals from storage for use on the same day or for another day
- search for articles in ejournals, newspapers and ebooks from home (if you live in Victoria)
- use our online copy ordering service to order digital copies of collection items
- add tags, comments and reviews to items in our catalogue
- store items on your eshelf in our catalogue.
When you register you'll receive a free Library card. We're not a lending library, so your card doesn't allow you to take material home.
If you have a Library card issued prior to 13 July 2010 that you use for copying and printing, you will need to use up any credit on it (by June 2013) or transfer it to a new copy, print & scan card (by June 2011). Alternatively, you can use any card with a magnetic strip. See our photocopying, printing & scanning page for more information. Your old Library card can still be used for other Library services until it expires.
Registering as a user
Items from the catalogue can't be requested and our databases can't be used from home until you receive your Library card, even if you've registered. This allows us to confirm your identity.
There are three ways to register as a Library user.
Online
Fill out the online registration form, then collect your card in person at the Library or have it posted to you.
You can collect your card from the Information Centre desk. You'll need to provide proof of identity and personal details before you receive your card.
If you ask to receive your card by post, you should receive it within five working days.
At the Library
Provide your name, relevant contact details and proof of identity to a staff member at the Information Centre desk and you'll receive a Library card on the spot.
If you provide proof of identity, contact details and a Victorian address, you can order books from storage for the same day or another day and search for articles in databases and other resources from home.
If you provide proof of identity and contact details (but not a Victorian address) you can order books from storage for the same day or another day.
If you don't have, or don't want to provide, proof of identity or contact details, you will be able to use the catalogue to request books and journals for the same day.
By phone
We can fill out the online form on your behalf if you call us on 03 8664 7004 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. 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 won't accept your requests for collection items and you won't be able to search for articles and ejournals in databases at home.
To check if your registration has expired, go to our catalogue and open the My Library Card folder in your eShelf. If your registration has expired you will see a message asking you to renew. You can renew your registration in person at the Information Centre desk or by phoning us Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 03 8664 7004.
Registered Library users only need to renew their registration once every two years.
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 and use our online copy ordering service. Your name will appear on the delivery slip for books you have requested. Information will not be passed on to any third parties.
More information
For more information, or if you've misplaced your card or want to renew your registration, ask staff at the Information Centre desk or phone 03 8664 7004 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
