Borrowing

Use your student, staff or membership card to borrow from our self service kiosks. Speak with our friendly team at our service zones if you need assistance.

Log in to your MyLibrary account to see a full list of your current loans, holds and requests.

General collection items will be automatically renewed up to 5 times 2 days before the due date, provided that the item has not been recalled. If the item cannot be automatically renewed and must be returned to the Library, you will receive a courtesy email informing you that your book is due for return 2 days prior to the due date.

Your loaned items can be returned to any University of Newcastle Library.

After Hours return chutes are located near the entrances to the Auchmuty Library, the Newcastle City Campus Library and the Ourimbah Campus Library.

If you have any questions or are experiencing extenuating circumstances please contact the Library for support.

Restrictions on renewals

Recalled items, equipment and course reading loans as well as items that have already been renewed 5 times cannot be renewed.

Recalled items

You are guaranteed a minimum of 14 days with items borrowed from the general collection, after which if another Library patron places a hold on your item it will be recalled and you must return it by the new due date.

You will be emailed via your student / staff/ guest email address with the due date of the recalled item. Borrowing privilege restrictions will apply for late return.

Overdues, fines and replacement costs

The following fines apply to overdue items:

For all other overdue items, your borrowing privileges will be suspended until the items are returned.

Staff and students of the University of Newcastle can pay Library fines via the online payment portal. Alternatively, you can pay via EFTPOS / credit / debit card at the Library Service Zones either in person or by phone +61 2 4921 5850.

Once payment is complete it will take a few minutes for your University record to be cleared.

Loss of borrowing privileges

You will not be able to borrow if you have overdue items or fines over $15 on your record.

Lost / damaged replacement costs

When an item has been lost or damaged, you will be charged the replacement cost plus a non-refundable $20 administration fee.

If you have found an item through Library Search that you would like to request from another University of Newcastle campus library or that is currently on loan, you can place a request.

Simply log in with your student or staff credentials, and then select the 'Request or Bookingoption and follow the prompts.

Students living outside the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens local government areas are eligible to request print books and other items to be mailed to them from:

  • The University of Newcastle Library collection
  • Other institution's collections via inter-library loan

Items can only be posted to an Australian address.

If you live close to another University Library you can also apply to become a ULANZ member and borrow from their collection. See our membership section for more information.

Requesting University of Newcastle Items

To request an item that is owned by the University of Newcastle Library:

  1. Login to in MyLibrary and check that you do not have any fines, fees, or blocks
  2. Check that your address is up to date in the “Personal Details” tab
  3. Locate the item you want in Library Search
  4. Click on “Request or Booking”
  5. Select “Home Delivery- Distance Students Only” as your pick up location

Requesting Items from Other Libraries

If you would like to request an item that is not held by the University of Newcastle library you can place a request through Inter Library Loans.

Ensure you select the “Home Delivery- Distance Students Only” pick up location to have the item automatically posted to your address saved in MyLibrary.

Library Material You Are Unable to Borrow

  • 7 day loans or Course Readings
  • Archives, Rare Books & Special Collections
  • Laptops and equipment

Returning Loans

Return items by mail in padded envelopes to the Auchmuty Library. Allow enough time for return by the date due.  A return postbag is supplied and funded by SSAF.

If you have any questions or are experiencing any problems placing your request, please contact us.

University of Newcastle students and staff can request items from other institutions that are not held in the Library’s collections (including book loans, book chapters, journal articles, research reports and papers from conference proceedings).

Who can request items?

All University of Newcastle students and staff can use this service, including off-campus students, who can request items to be posted to their home address. Students and staff located at Newcastle Australia IHE can request a digital copy of a journal article or book chapter from the library’s collection.

How do I submit a request?

  1. Go to Library Search.
  2. Sign in and then search for the item.
  1. If the item does not appear in the results, select ‘Expand My Results’.
  1. If you find the item in the results, select the ‘Get it for me from other libraries’. You will then be presented with the following options:
  • Get a physical copy (book/item loan)
    • Select the ‘Pick up location’
    • Click ‘Send’ to submit the request
  • Get a digital copy (scan of a book chapter or journal article)
    • Fill in the additional information
    • Read and agree to the copyright terms
    • Click ‘Send’ to submit the request

Please note: All digitisation requests are subject to Australian Copyright Legislation, which may limit how much you can request from a book or a journal.

  1. If the item you require is not appearing in the results, select the ‘Still didn’t find what you need? Click here to send a request’ link located at the top of the search results. Fill in the request form, entering as many details as possible about the item, then click ‘Send’.
  1. Your request has now been submitted and the Library will email you when your request is ready.

When will I receive my request?

Depending on the location of the supplier and availability of the item/s, articles are usually received within 1 week and books are usually received within 2 weeks of your request being processed. If an item is located overseas, it may take longer to arrive.

How will I receive my requested item?

Digital copies of articles/chapters from books will be delivered to your University of Newcastle email address within the timeframe outlined above. Please Note: digital copies are available for 30 days or 5 views only – you must download and save the document within that timeframe if you wish to keep a permanent copy.

Books, or other physical items will be available for pick up from library selected as the pick-up location in the request form—you will be notified by email when your loan is ready. Off campus student requests will be sent to the home address, unless otherwise informed.

What if there is a problem with the copy I have received?

Please notify us if there are any problems with the quality of the copy as soon as possible
T: +61 2 4921 5940
E: library-ill@newcastle.edu.au
Please allow 24 hours for a response to your email.

Having trouble?

Speak with our friendly team on Library Chat who can assist you with logging into the system or any other general issues you’re experiencing.

Currently enrolled students and staff are automatically members of the University of Newcastle Library.

Annual membership of the Library is also available to people who are not current staff or students of the University. Please complete the membership application form and then visit your nominated library service zone with photo ID during opening hours to collect your membership card.

Alumni

Graduates of the University of Newcastle are offered free membership of the Library, renewable on an annual basis. Please complete the membership application form and attach evidence of your completion from the University of Newcastle. We will be in touch via email to confirm your application.

University Libraries of Australia and New Zealand (ULANZ)

University Libraries of Australia and New Zealand (ULANZ) is a reciprocal borrowing scheme enabling you to borrow in person from other participating university libraries.

How to use ULANZ

Register directly at the participating ULANZ library that you wish to borrow from.

Complete the membership application form and provide photo ID, proof of current enrolment / employment and your student / staff card. Memberships are valid to 28 February of the following year. A new application must be lodged each year.

The borrowing conditions of the host library apply.

High School

The University of Newcastle Libraries offer local secondary school students the opportunity to get a head start on tertiary studies by joining the University Library for free. School students can borrow from the University collections. Complete the membership application form and attach a signed parental consent form. We will be in touch via email to confirm your application.

Please note that Library membership does not include access to electronic resources.

Visitors

The University of Newcastle Library offers annual membership to members of the public. Complete the membership application form and we will be in touch via email to confirm your application. Please note that Library membership does not include access to electronic resources.

What are call numbers?

Items in the library are organised using Library Classifications, these systems use ‘call numbers’ (codes) to catalogue items and indicate their location on the shelves based on subject or item type. The call number will be listed when you search for an item and you can use the guides below to help you find it in the library, using the relevant guide depending on what kind of item you are locating.

A break down of the components of a call number in the Dewey Decimal Classification

Call number reference guides:

Show more

If the item is not on the shelf:

  • Ensure the item is held at the library you are in.
  • Items may be in use by another student but not borrowed.
  • It may be a Course Reading; and stored with other course readings.
  • You can place a request for an item that is on loan or held at another library via the catalogue and we will let you know when it is ready.
  • If you require assistance, please go to the Library Service Zone - staff will be happy to help.

What can I borrow?

Your access to Library items and resources is determined by the type of Library membership you hold.

Including pathways, undergraduate, honours and off-campus students.

  • Unlimited loans
  • Loan period — 2 weeks, 5 renewals
  • Course readings — 2 items, 24 hours
  • Equipment / tech — 1 item, 7 days with 1 renewal
  • Maximum number of holds — 10
  • Database access
  • Borrowing from other libraries access

Including academic staff, professional staff, PhD candidates, conjoints, affiliates.

  • Unlimited loans
  • Loan period — 12 weeks, 5 renewals
  • Course readings — 2 items, 24 hours
  • Equipment / tech — 1 item, 7 days with 1 renewal
  • Maximum number of holds — 10
  • Database access
  • Borrowing from other libraries access
  • Maximum loans — 50
  • Loan period — 2 weeks, 5 renewals
  • Maximum number of holds — 10
  • No access to course readings, equipment and tech, databases or borrowing from other libraries
  • Maximum loans — 50
  • Loan period — 2 weeks, 5 renewals
  • Maximum number of holds — 10
  • No access to course readings, equipment and tech, databases or borrowing from other libraries
  • Maximum loans — 50
  • Loan period — 2 weeks, 5 renewals
  • Maximum number of holds — 10
  • No access to course readings, equipment and tech, databases or borrowing from other libraries
  • Maximum loans — 50
  • Loan period — 2 weeks, 5 renewals
  • Maximum number of holds — 10
  • No access to course readings, equipment and tech, databases or borrowing from other libraries