Using items from the Library's collections

As a reference library, the Library does not lend books or other items for you to take home. You can only use them in the Library or online.

Note: The term 'use' includes reading books and periodicals, examining manuscripts, pictures and maps, listening to audio, watching video, copying material and viewing items on microfiche readers and computers.

You can use collection material in the following parts of the Library:

• Marie Bashir Reading Room
• Special Collections area.

There are two types of material that you need to request to use in the Library:

• general published material that’s not on the reading room shelves
• original or rare material – also known as special collections.

1. Apply for a Library card if you don't have one.
2. Log in to the catalogue with your Library card number.
3. Search for the item in the catalogue.
4. View the How to access this item section.
5. If you see Request with a Library card, select Request title.
6. Collect your item from the Collect shelves in the Marie Bashir Reading Room.

1. Apply for a Library card if you don't have one.
2. Log in to the catalogue with your Library card number.
3. Search for the item in the catalogue.
4. View the How to access this item section.

If you see Enquire with staff in the reading room or online, the item is either original material or rare printed material.

This means it is part of special collections. You'll need to follow further steps to use this material.

As most special collections material can be retrieved for use within 30 minutes, speaking to a staff member in the Special Collections area is the easiest way to make a request.

Using items from the special collections

To use material the same day

• Request the item at least one hour before the Library closes.
  • From Monday to Thursday, you can request items until 6pm.
  • From Friday to Sunday, you can request items until 4pm.
• Most items will be ready to collect in 30 to 45 minutes.
  • This can take longer during busy periods.
  • Offsite material will be ready for you to use at the Library after 4 pm the next working day.

To use material at a later date

• You can request items up to seven days in advance.
  • They'll be ready for you to collect when you come to the Library.
• If you're planning a visit in more than 7 days, please contact us in advance using the Ask a Librarian service.
  • We'll tell you within five working days when the item will be ready.

General material

You can continue to use general material for up to seven days after you’ve requested it.

To do this, just return the items you’ve been using to the Collect shelves. Ask staff if you need the items for longer than 7 days.

Original material and rare printed material (special collections)

You can continue to use special collections items for up to seven days after you’ve requested them.

Ask staff in the Special Collections area to reserve them for you.

Some items are kept in offsite storage facilities. You can request most of them in the normal way through the catalogue, but they will take longer to be ready for you to use.

Some offsite items can't be requested through the catalogue. There are two ways to request them:

• if you're in the Library, speak to a staff member
• if you're not in the Library, contact us using the Ask a Librarian service.

Offsite material will be ready for you to use at the Library after 4 pm the next working day.

Note: There are no deliveries from offsite storage on weekends or public holidays.

You can request a loan or partial copy of an item from another library. If we can locate the item, you can use it in the Marie Bashir Reading Room.

To find out more, speak to a staff member, or use the Ask a Librarian service.

Accessing material online

You can use digital versions of many collection items online, from anywhere.

To do this, search for the item in the Library catalogue or digital collections.

Borrowing collection material through your nearest library

The Library can't directly lend you books or other items. However, if you're a member of a public, academic or work library, you can borrow some items from the collections.

To do this, speak to staff at your local NSW public library about requesting an interlibrary loan.

The Interlibrary Lending Policy explains what you can borrow.