How to join UNSW Library
Apply for your Library card at the Information Desk, Main Library. Cards are made between 9am - 4pm, Monday - Friday, and will take approximately one hour. If you apply in the evening or on a weekend, your card will be ready after 10am on the next business day.
Proof of your status as a UNSW graduate is required. You will need one of the following:
- any academic record that demonstrates you are a UNSW graduate, OR
- a letter from the Alumni Relations Office to verify that you are a UNSW graduate
A letter can be obtained by phoning the Alumni Relations Office on (02) 9385 3279 during business hours. A letter will then be faxed to the Main Library and will be available when you come to the Loans & Information Desk, Main Library.
Eligibility of NIDA graduates can be confirmed by Library staff checking the Directory of NIDA Graduates.
Library membership fee (annual fee)
UNSW Alumni Library membership: $90.00 GST inclusive.
Required documents
- completed application form
- photo ID
- proof of address (either on your photo ID or on phone bill etc)
- proof of your alumni status (see above)
Library cards - conditions of use
- your card must be presented when borrowing from the UNSW Library - this card is not transferable
- the cardholder accepts responsibility for all Library items issued on the card and agrees to return all items by the due date, or by the recall due date
- the person to whom the card has been issued must immediately notify UNSW of its loss or theft. Failure to do so may result in the cardholder being held responsible for items on the card after its loss or theft
- the card is valid only for the period that is shown on the UNSW Library records
- the card expiry date is one year from your application
The cardholder is entitled to
- use UNSW Library computers. However, UNSW Library’s subscribed electronic resources are only available to current UNSW students and staff. Alumni using Library computers may be able to access some electronic resources, subject to changing licence agreements
- borrow up to twenty (20) items at one time (this may include only 5 items from COFA Library and 5 items from the Water Reference Library)
- renew items for up to sixteen (16) weeks - provided the item(s) has not been recalled
- request Stack Collection items in the basement for use in the Library
- access rare books for use in the Library
- borrowing entitlements are subject to change without notice
The cardholder is NOT entitled to
- access UNSW Library e-journals and databases via off campus computers
- place reservations on an item(s) out on loan to another borrower
- borrow from the MyCourse (Reserve) and Multimedia Collection
- access Interlibrary Loans, Intercampus Loans, or Off campus services
Your responsibilities
- to ensure that an item(s) is returned by the correct due date
- to ensure that the Library has your current contact details
- All notices are sent as a courtesy only. It is your responsibility to check your 'Borrower Record' which is available via the Library Resources Database (LRD)
- to check your Borrower Record at least TWICE/WEEK ensuring the due date of your item(s) has not changed
- if an item on loan to you has been recalled it means that another borrower has put a reservation (hold) on the item and the date MAY change. When an item is recalled, the Library will send an e-mail notice and it will also appear in your Borrower Record
- should you be travelling away from Sydney, it is your responsibility to ensure that borrowed items are returned to the Library before commencing travel
- you will be blocked from borrowing once your Library fines reach $50.00
