Libraries Victoria Service Update – May 2023

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April 28, 2023

Good news! The Libraries Victoria service will resume from Monday 1 May. This means you can now place holds on items within our Shared network. If items are not available at Myli or through our shared collections, we may be able to borrow them from other libraries through Inter-Library Loan. Some inter-library loans may incur a fee. Please speak with a team member in branch, on Live Chat during business hours, or phone 1800 44 6954 for further information.

Some changes have been made to the Libraries Victoria service to balance the rising costs of logistics, courier and other operational services while providing you the best access to the wide collection the network provides. Please read through the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.

We’re learning about the new Libraries Victoria service with you and we’re here to help you find the resources that you need.

What are the changes?

You can now place 20 items on hold at any one time from our Shared Collection. This includes:

Adult Fiction & Non-Fiction
YA Fiction & Non-Fiction
Junior Fiction & Non-fiction
DVDs
Audio Books
LOTE (except magazines & new items)
Large Print Books
Graphic Novels

Items no longer available are:

Items purchased with in last 6 months
Music CDs, Magazines, Picture & Board Books
Large or bulky items

If you can’t find a specific item within the Myli – My Community Library collection or shared collection, please let us know. We can suggest similar items that might be relevant, or you can make a request for items that are within the Libraries Victoria collection using our request form, which may incur a fee. For more information about inter-library loan fees please see our Borrowing Information page.

Are intra-library loans free?

Yes, you can place holds for intra-library loans through the library catalogue that will remain a free service.

Further Questions & Feedback

We understand this is a valued service and would like to hear from you if you are impacted by this change. Please let us know if you have a question that’s not included here or if you have any comments to share with us.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have prepared some questions that you might have about the new Libraries Victoria service.

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Using the Online Catalogue Download

What items can I request?
- Adult Fiction & Non-Fiction
- YA Fiction & Non-Fiction
- Junior Fiction & Non-fiction
- DVDs
- Audio Books
- LOTE (except magazines & new items)
- Large Print Books
- Graphic Novels
Items no longer available –
- Items purchased with in last 6 months
- Music CDs, Magazines, Picture & Board Books
- Large or bulky items
Will I have to wait longer for items?

Changes to the courier service may mean an additional delay of at least one week.
How many holds can I have at any one time?

You can have up to 20 holds at any one time. We encourage you to try the ‘My List’ feature in your account to keep track of items you might like to borrow next. If you are unfamiliar with the ‘lists’ feature, please chat with our friendly team in branch or via Live Chat on our website during business hours.
Why was the system changed?

Some necessary changes were required to maintain and protect the sustainability of the Libraries Victoria loan service.
When will the full service be reinstated?

The Libraries Victoria loan service will not return to the previous model. Public Libraries Victoria are conducting a 3-month trial and during this period the service will be evaluated to ensure that the service is viable.
How can I place holds on items from other libraries within the Shared Collection?

You can place holds on items from the shared collection via the catalogue or asking staff for help. Here is a quick guide to show you how to use the catalogue: Download the Quick Guide
Can I request an item that is not available within the Shared Collection?

We can suggest similar items that might be relevant, or you can make a request on items that are within the Libraries Victoria collection using our request form, which may incur a fee. You must be logged into your account to access this form. For more information about inter-library loan fees, please see our Borrowing Information page.
Can I ask staff to help me with holds or requests when I’m at my library?

Yes, staff can place a hold or a request on your behalf.
How many purchase requests can I have at any one time?

You can have up to 6 purchase requests at any one time.
Can I return items I’ve borrowed from other library services to a Myli – My Community Library branch?

We encourage you to return items to the library where they were borrowed from – where possible. Additional expenses may apply for us to return items to other library services on your behalf.