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You can borrow up to 50 items at once. Some specific collections have different limits on how many items you can borrow.
Digital collections have their own limits on what you can access. Digital loans do not count towards the 50 loan limit.
Please refer to our Loans Policy for further information.
Item type | Loan period | Loan item limits | Renewals allowed |
---|---|---|---|
Books, magazines, language kits, | 21 days | 50 | 4 |
ESL | 21 days | 50 | 4 |
ESL testing | 21 days | 10 | 4 |
CDs, DVDs | 21 days | 50 | 4 |
Hot Picks books | 21 days | 50 | 0 |
Console games | 21 days | 3 | 4 |
Accessible equipment | 21 days | 3 | 4 |
Cloud Library eBooks or eAudiobooks | 21 days | 10 | Varies |
Bolinda BorrowBox eBooks or eAudiobooks | 21 days | 10 eBooks 8 eAudiobooks | 1 |
Libby eAudiobooks, eMagazines | 21 days | 10 eBooks or eAudiobooks (combined) Unlimited magazines | eAudiobooks and eBooks - yes, providing the item is not reserved eMagazines - unlimited renewals |
Kanopy Film streaming | 3 days | 5 per month | Renewals are not supported |
Beama Films streaming | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited - no need to renew |
Freegal music streaming | Unlimited | Unlimited streaming 5 downloads per week 2 music videos per week (a video counts as 2 downloads) | Renewals are not supported |
Reference, local history reference, newspapers and current issue magazines | Not for loan | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Renewing loans
You can have more time with an item you’ve borrowed as long as it is not reserved by another person, and you have not reached the limit on renewals. The limit for most physical items is 4 renewals.
Renew your loans by:
- logging into your accountOpens in new tab online
- using our Library app downloaded from the App StoreOpens in new tab or Google PlayOpens in new tab
- Calling or visiting a library and speaking to our friendly staff
Renew loans onlineOpens in new tab
Automatic renewal of loans
Loans are automatically extended for a maximum of four additional loan periods.
This means that one day before the due date if:
- The items are not reserved by another library member
- The items have not already been renewed four times
Your item will be automatically renewed for another three weeks.
How do I know if an item hasn’t been automatically renewed?
You can check your account via the library app or catalogue, call us, or visit the library and chat with staff.
If you have email notices as your preference we will contact you by email to alert you to any item(s) that can’t be renewed so they can be returned for other members to borrow.
You are unable to borrow more items until overdue loans are renewed or returned.
Please do this without delay as overdue items impact other users of the library.
Returning items
Items can be returned to any City of Melbourne Library.
After-hours chutes are provided at each library.
Our libraries do not charge fees for late return of items.
If you have kept an item later than its due date, you will not be able to borrow new items until items are renewed or returned.
We charge replacement costs for items if they are damaged, lost, or more than 42 days late.
Library bags | $7.10 per bag |
---|---|
Interlibrary loans | Free or cost charged by lender per item. Items from libraries other than Victorian public libraries attract a charge of $32 per item |
Library branded marketing material | $12 max per item |
Publications | $103.50 maximum per item |
Library sales - junior books and magazines | 50 cents per item |
Library sales - books | $1 per item |
Library sales - 10 items | $8.50 per 10 items |
Makerspace materials | 25 cents per unit |
Activity kits and materials | $25 per item |
Lost or damaged items | $103.50 maximum per item |
Printing and photocopying | All formats B&W, colour, A4, A3 etc: 20 cents per side |
Fees and charges are current until 30 June 2024.
Payment options
During opening times our payment options are:
- Visa or Mastercard transactions over the phone at 1800 695 427
- cash, credit card or cheque over-the-counter payments.
You can pay overdue fees online through the catalogue. Log in to your accountOpens in new tab and select 'Fines and charges'.
Bookable spaces
For rates of hire of our bookable spaces please refer to Book a room.
Essential First Nation Reads
Read our Loans Policy
Contact us
Phone or in person
Call 1800 695 427.
View library locations and opening hours.
Contact us and feedback form
Use our contact us form for questions and our feedback form for suggestions.
Post
City of Melbourne Libraries
PO Box 1603
Melbourne VIC 3001
For the deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired
Call us via the National Relay Service (available Monday to Friday 7.30am to 6pm):
- Teletypewriter (TTY) users phone 133 677 then ask for 03 9658 9658.
- Speak & Listen users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 03 9658 9658.