Essential information about borrowing, reserving, renewing and returning library loans, including disputed returns.
Hold conditions
If an item you need is on loan, or at another campus Library, you can place a hold on it in LibrarySearch.
- You can place holds on up to 10 items at a time.
- Items in high demand are restricted to a 7-day loan.
- If you have overdue items, you cannot place or collect holds.
- If you’ve placed a hold on an item that is currently on the shelf, it can still be borrowed by other users until we collect it for you.
- Borrowers from other institutions, except CAVAL and ULANZ borrowers, cannot place items on hold.
Placing a hold
You must be logged in to place a hold.
- In LibrarySearch, select the item to view the details.
- Under the Locate / Request heading, click Place a Hold.
- Select the Library pick-up location
- Press Submit.
Collecting a hold
We will email you when your hold is ready. You’ll have 7 days to collect it.
Holds are available for collection from the holds shelf in the loans area of the Library you’ve selected as the pick-up location. If you do not pick your hold within 7 days from the date of our email notice, the item will be put back into circulation.
Please note: As of Monday 5 February, Carlton Library will not be available as a pick-up location for holds.
Cancelling a hold
The option for cancelling holds is in the Holds section of My Account on LibrarySearch.
If the hold you want to cancel is already available for a pick up, please let us know that you no longer need it. We can then re-shelve it or hold it for the next person.
Renewals
We will automatically renew items you have on loan 3 days before the due date.
Loans will be renewed unless:
- there is a hold request
- you've kept the item for 12 months (3 months for CAVAL borrowers)
- you have a recalled/overdue item on your account
- your patron account has expired, or
- an item is from the Reserve collection on a 4-hour loan.
We will send you a courtesy email each time you have to return any of the items.
You are responsible for checking the courtesy emails we send you. You must return all items that we couldn't renew for you by the due date. If you don't, they will become overdue.
Overdues
For items less than 90 days overdue:
- Your borrowing rights will be suspended at all RMIT University Library sites.
- You will not be able to pick up holds or borrow from our Libraries until you return overdue items through the chute and wait for us to clear them from your record,
- We no longer charge daily fines for overdue items.
For items more than 90 days overdue
- We will treat the item as lost and charge replacement costs to your library account.
- If you return the item we will waive the replacement cost.
- Replacement cost is a standard $100 for all items.
RMIT University Library returns
Access conditions apply.
Swanston and Bundoora Libraries: the chutes are external to the buildings and accessible after hours. Swanston Library return bin is located outside of the entrance to Building 8, Level 2, off Swanston Street.
Brunswick and Carlton Libraries: the chutes are inside the Library buildings.
Please note: there may be a delay before items are checked in and removed from your record.
Document Delivery returns
During opening hours: return items to any RMIT University Library site.
After hours: use the external chutes at the Bundoora and Swanston Library sites
Check the Library opening hours before coming to campus.
CAVAL and ULANZ returns
If you have borrowed from another Library as a CAVAL or ULANZ borrower, you will need to return the item/s back to that library. Please contact them first for details.
Please fill out the 'Report lost, damaged or missing library items' form as soon as possible if you have any problems returning items to the Library. For example, if
- the items are lost, stolen or damaged
- items you have returned still appear on your record, or
- you have items on your record which you have never borrowed.
Please note, reporting an issue does not automatically mean that the Library will waive any costs that you have incurred.
If you need to speak to someone, call 03 9925 2020 or email library.notices@rmit.edu.au.
