Changes at Melbourne Library Service and Yarra Libraries

As a result of the dissolution of the Yarra-Melbourne Regional Library Corporation, there will be some changes in the way people can use their local libraries.

Melbourne Library Service was created in April 2007 and has continued to provide access to Yarra Libraries' collections since this time. The final stage of the dissolution is the separation of the library catalogue and the customer database. To ensure a smooth transition, a staged approach to the separation is being undertaken over the following weeks.

From the following dates, Members of Melbourne Library Service will not be able to:

29 October - Reserve items belonging to Yarra libraries

5 November - Pick-up items belonging to Melbourne Library Service at Yarra Libraries locations

12 November - Borrow items belonging to Yarra libraries with your Melbourne Library Service card

From 12 November items borrowed from the Melbourne Library Service will need to be returned to one of our three libraries – City, North Melbourne and East Melbourne.

From 12 November items borrowed from Yarra libraries will need to be returned to one of their five libraries (Carlton, Collingwood, Fitzroy, North Fitzroy and Richmond)

FAQS

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General

Q. What libraries make up Melbourne Library Service?
A. City, North Melbourne and East Melbourne Libraries

Q. What libraries make up Yarra Libraries?
A. Richmond, Carlton, Fitzroy, North Fitzroy and Collingwood libraries

Q. How do I contact Melbourne Library Service?
A. Click here for locations and contact details of Melbourne Library Service

Q. How do I contact Yarra Libraries?
A. Click here for locations and contact details of Yarra Libraries

Membership

Q. Am I able to be a member of more than one library service?
A. YES – in Victoria an individual is entitled to join as many library services as they like.

Q. How do I know whether I am currently a member of Yarra Libraries or Melbourne Library Service?
A. There are a few ways of finding this out:

• The library where you first joined determines this. eg. If you joined at City, East Melbourne or North Melbourne Library, you are a member of Melbourne Library Service.

• The branch you are currently registered at is also recorded in the “My Details” section on the library catalogue. To view this:
   - Login to your record with your Library Card Barcode and PIN at Melbourne Library Service or Yarra Libraries.
   - Click on My Details

Click here to access your record at Melbourne Library Service

Click here to access your record at Yarra Libraries

• Visit or contact your regular library and a staff member will be happy to help you.
 

Q. Can I change my current library membership to the library service I use? Eg. I originally joined at Richmond Library but now use City Library.
A. YES – just ask a library staff member to change your details to register you at the library you use the most.

Borrowing & Returning

Q. Can I still borrow from Yarra and Melbourne Libraries?
A. YES – you will however need to be a member of both library services ie have a separate card for each service. Membership is free.
 
Click here to join Yarra Libraries 

Click here to join Melbourne Library Service

A. YES – If you are currently a member of Yarra Libraries and you wish to keep this membership as well as obtain a membership of Melbourne Library Service, let staff know and they can arrange this.

Q. Will I still be able to return my items to any of the libraries? ie. Can I borrow from a Yarra Library and return to a Melbourne Library and vice versa.
A. NO - From 12 November you will need to return items borrowed from the Melbourne Library Service to one of our three libraries and items borrowed from the Yarra libraries to one of their five libraries.

Reservations

Q. What is going to happen to my current reservations?
A. Melbourne Library Service will endeavour to fill all reservations.
 

Q. What will happen to my position in the reservation queue?
A. All reservations are handled in date order – your position however may change as a result of the split of the collections. Melbourne Library Service will endeavour to purchase additional copies for high demand items.

Q. What will happen if Melbourne Library Service does not have a copy of the item I have reserved?
A. Melbourne Library Service will attempt to purchase a copy if available or obtain a copy from another source on your behalf.