Memberships and borrowing rights
If you're a current UNSW student or staff, including conjoint and emeritus, your UNSW ID card is your library card. You can use it to borrow items, access study spaces after hours, and use other Library facilities. See your borrowing rights below.
Visitors don't need to become a Library member to visit UNSW Library during regular hours. To borrow items, use Library computers, or access online resources, apply for a membership. Check membership and borrowing rights before applying.
Visitors including members of the public, alumni, retired staff, and borrowers from other universities (ULANZ) must be able to come to a UNSW Sydney Library in person.
By using your UNSW ID or Library membership card, you agree to the Library conditions of use policy.
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Undergraduate and foundation year students
Who are undergraduate students?
Students in a program of study that leads to the award of a diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree or a bachelor degree.
Who are foundation year students?
Students enrolled in a UNSW Foundation Studies Program.
About this membership
Your UNSW ID card is your library card to borrow items, access after hours study space and use other Library items and facilities.
Borrowing and access rights
Library study spaces
Online resources
Yes - for more information see Access to online resources.
Physical resources
How many physical resources: 50 items in total.
Items can be recalled at any time, check myLibrary regularly for changes. See Borrowing for more information.
- For same day loans and 4 hour loans, check myLibrary or the due date and time when borrowing.
For information on off-campus borrowing, see Off-campus borrowers.
Resource type Item limit Loan period Renewable Requests Books,
CDs & scores
(Standard loans)50 4 weeks Up to 16 weeks Yes High Use Collection (HUC) 2 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No Loan laptops 1 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No Videos & DVDs,
theses,
Library storage and Paddington storage journalsPart of total items limit Same day
No Yes CDs, DVDs & videos in Paddington storage Part of total items limit Same day
No Yes Accessories,
Valuable items (e.g., rare books)Part of total items limit 4 hours No Valuable items only Anatomical models 2 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No 7 day loan course resources Part of total items limit 7 days
(14 days for off-campus borrowers)Up to 14 days
(21 days for off-campus borrowers)Yes Interlibrary loans Part of total items limit Determined by the lending library
Determined by the lending library Yes -
Postgraduate and honours students
Who are postgraduate students?
Students enrolled in a program of study that leads to the award of a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or doctorate.
Who are honours students?
Students enrolled in an undergraduate honours program.
About this membership
Your UNSW ID card is your library card to borrow items, access after hours study space and use other Library items and facilities.
Borrowing and access rights
Library study spaces
Online resources
Yes - for more information see Access to online resources.
Physical resources
How many physical resources: 100 items in total.
Items can be recalled at any time, check myLibrary regularly for changes. See Borrowing for more information.
- For same day loans and 4 hour loans, check myLibrary or the due date and time when borrowing.
For information on off-campus borrowing, see Off-campus borrowers.
Resource type Item limit Loan period Renewable Requests Books,
CDs & scores
(Standard loans)100 6 months
Up to 24 months Yes High Use Collection (HUC) 2 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No Loan laptop 1 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No Videos & DVDs,
theses,
all print journalsPart of total items limit
7 days
No Yes CDs, DVDs & videos in Paddington storage Part of total items limit Same day
No Yes Accessories,
valuable items (e.g., rare books)Part of total items limit 4 hours No Valuable items only Anatomical models 2 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No 7 day loan course resource Part of total items limit 7 days
(14 days for off-campus borrowers)Up to 14 days
(21 days for off-campus borrowers)Yes Interlibrary loans Part of total items limit Determined by the lending library
Determined by the lending library Yes -
UNSW staff (including conjoint staff and Emeritus)
Who are UNSW staff?
An employee of UNSW on a continuing or a fixed-term basis, either full-time or part-time.
Who are conjoint staff?
Staff from Australian Research Institutes, teaching hospitals or health services who have a formal affiliation with UNSW and contribute to teaching and/or research.
Who are emeritus professors?
UNSW employed Professor retiring or retired, recognised for significant period of distinguished service and eminent contribution.
About this membership
Your UNSW ID card is your library card to borrow items, access after hours study space and use other Library items and facilities.
For conjoint and emeritus staff, apply for a staff card through Estate Management and contact UNSW IT to set up a zID and zPass.
Borrowing and access rights
Library study spaces
Booking of study spaces (including rooms and computers) are available to current UNSW students only.
Online resources
Yes - for more information see Access to online resources.
Physical resources
How many physical resources: 100 items in total.
Items can be recalled at any time, check myLibrary regularly for changes. See Borrowing for more information.
- For same day loans and 4 hour loans, check myLibrary or the due date and time when borrowing.
For information on off-campus borrowing, see Off-campus borrowers.
Resource type Item limit Loan period Renewable Requests Books,
CDs & scores
(Standard loans)100 6 months Up to 24 months Yes High Use Collection (HUC) 2 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No Loan laptops No No No No Videos & DVDs,
theses,
all print journals
Part of total items limit 7 days
No Yes CDs, DVDs & videos in Paddington storage Part of total items limit Same day
No Yes Accessories,
valuable items (e.g., rare books)Part of total items limit 4 hours No Valuable items only Anatomical models 2 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No 7 day loan course resources Part of total items limit 7 days
(14 days for off-campus borrowers)Up to 14 days
(21 days for off-campus borrowers)Yes Interlibrary loans Part of total items limit Determined by the lending library
Determined by the lending library Yes -
UNSW affiliated staff and visiting academics
Who are UNSW affiliated staff?
External staff who are working on behalf of UNSW.
Who are visiting academics?
Academic staff from another university (or organisation) who is visiting UNSW (staff employed in home institution or organisation).
About this membership
A valid membership is required to access computers and borrow items.
Fees
No membership fee
Expiry date
One year from the date of your application or on the termination date of your employment (if less than one year).
Required documents
Current photo ID
Proof of address (for example on your photo ID or a phone bill)
A letter signed by your faculty or department on letterhead providing:
- your name
- in what capacity you are working or researching
- length of time you are working with the faculty or department
- a statement of indemnity.
A statement of indemnity may be worded as follows:
"The Faculty or Department of ----- agrees to indemnify UNSW Library against all losses, costs and expenses incurred by reason of the member named above failing to observe the rules and conditions of membership of the Library".
Borrowing and access rights
Library study spaces
Booking of study spaces (including rooms and computers) are available to current UNSW students only.
Online resources
Yes - contact UNSW IT for assistance.
Physical resources
How many physical resources: 100 items in total.
Items can be recalled at any time, check myLibrary regularly for changes. See Borrowing for more information.
- For same day loans and 4 hour loans, check myLibrary or the due date and time when borrowing.
For information on off-campus borrowing, see Off-campus borrowers.
Resource type Item limit Loan period Renewable Requests Books,
CDs & scores
(Standard loans)100 6 months Up to 24 months Yes High Use Collection (HUC) 2 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No Loan laptops No No No No Videos & DVDs,
theses,
all print journals
Part of total items limit 7 days
No Yes CDs, DVDs & videos in Paddington storage Part of total items limit Same day
No Yes Accessories,
valuable items (e.g., rare books)Part of total items limit 4 hours No Valuable items only Anatomical models 2 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No 7 day loan course resources Part of total items limit 7 days
(14 days for off-campus borrowers)Up to 14 days
(21 days for off-campus borrowers)Yes Interlibrary loans Part of total items limit Determined by the lending library
Determined by the lending library Yes -
NIDA staff
Who are NIDA staff?
All directors, officers, employees (whether full-time, part-time or casual), contractors and consultants of NIDA other than visiting artists, who work for the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
About this membership
A valid membership is required to access computers and borrow items.
Fees
No membership fee
Expiry date
One year from the date of your application or on the termination date of your employment (if less than one year).
Required documents
Current photo ID
Proof of address (for example on your photo ID or a phone bill)
NIDA ID card
Borrowing and access rights
Library study spaces
Booking of study spaces (including rooms and computers) are available to current UNSW students only.
Online resources
Yes - contact UNSW IT for assistance.
Physical resources
How many physical resources: 100 items in total.
Items can be recalled at any time, check myLibrary regularly for changes. See Borrowing for more information.
- For same day loans and 4 hour loans, check myLibrary or the due date and time when borrowing.
For information on off-campus borrowing, see Off-campus borrowers.
Resource type Item limit Loan period Renewable Requests Books,
CDs & scores
(Standard loans)100 6 months Up to 24 months Yes High Use Collection (HUC) 2 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No Loan laptops No No No No Videos & DVDs,
theses,
all print journals
Part of total items limit 7 days
No Yes CDs, DVDs & videos in Paddington storage Part of total items limit Same day
No Yes Accessories,
valuable items (e.g., rare books)Part of total items limit 4 hours No Valuable items only Anatomical models 2 (part of total items limit) 4 hours No No 7 day loan course resources Part of total items limit 7 days
(14 days for off-campus borrowers)Up to 14 days
(21 days for off-campus borrowers)Yes Interlibrary loans Part of total items limit Determined by the lending library
Determined by the lending library Yes -
NIDA students
Who are NIDA students?
Undergraduates, Postgraduates and Vocational Education and Training (VET) students who currently attend the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
About this membership
A valid membership is required to access computers and borrow items.
Fees
No membership fee
Expiry date
Three years from the date of your application.
Required documents
Current photo ID
Proof of address (for example on your photo ID or a phone bill)
NIDA ID card
Borrowing and access rights
Library study spaces
Booking of study spaces (including rooms and computers) are available to current UNSW students only.
Online resources
Via Library desktop computers only.
Some online resources are not available, for example: CCH eBooks Collection, Factiva, Gartner, Lexis Advance, LinkedIn Learning, ProQuest eBooks, Westlaw, and Australian Standards (TechStreet).
Resource type Item limit Loan period Renewable Requests Books,
CDs & scores
(Standard loans)50 4 weeks Up to 16 weeks Yes High Use Collection (HUC) No No No No Loan laptops No No No No Videos & DVDs,
theses,
all print journalsNo No No No CDs, DVDs & videos in Paddington storage No No No No Accessories Part of total items limit 4 hours No No Anatomical models,
valuable items (e.g. rare books)No No No No 7 day loan course resources Part of total items limit 7 days Up to 14 days Yes Interlibrary loans No No No No -
Community borrowers
Who are community borrowers?
Clients who are not a current UNSW staff member or student, and are not eligible for other membership categories (e.g. member of the general public).
About this membership
A valid membership is required to access computers and borrow items.
Fees
$198.00 per annum (includes GST)
Expiry date
Your card expiry date is one year from the date of your application.
Required documents
Current photo ID
Proof of address (for example on your photo ID or a phone bill)
Borrowing and access rights
Library study spaces
Booking of study spaces (including rooms and computers) are available to current UNSW students only.
Online resources
Via Library desktop computers only.
Some online resources are not available, for example: CCH eBooks Collection, Factiva, Gartner, Lexis Advance, LinkedIn Learning, ProQuest eBooks, Westlaw, and Australian Standards (TechStreet).
Resource type Item limit Loan period Renewable Requests Books,
CDs & scores
(Standard loans)20 4 weeks Up to 16 weeks No High Use Collection (HUC) No No No No Loan laptops No No No No Videos & DVDs,
theses,
all print journalsNo No No No CDs, DVDs & videos in Paddington storage No No No No Accessories Part of total items limit 4 hours No No Anatomical models,
valuable items (e.g. rare books)No No No No 7 day loan course resources Part of total items limit 7 days Up to 14 days No Interlibrary loans No No No No -
UNSW alumni
Who are UNSW alumni?
Students who have graduated or completed their degree program at UNSW, or are recipients of honorary degrees.
About this membership
For off-campus access to online resources, log into the Alumni office – Alumni portal. You do not need to become a Library member to access this service.
To borrow items and access online resources on site, you can apply to become a Library member. You must be able to come to a UNSW Sydney Library in person.
A valid Library membership is required to access computers, online resources and borrow items.
Fees
No membership fee
Expiry date
Three years from the date of your application.
Required documents
Current photo ID
Proof of address (either on your photo ID or on a phone bill, etc.)
Proof of your alumni status (one of the following):
Any academic record demonstrating you are a UNSW graduate.
Email confirmation from the alumni team verifying that you are a UNSW graduate.
Borrowing and access rights
Library study spaces
Booking of study spaces (including rooms and computers) are available to current UNSW students only.
Online resources
Via Library desktop computers only.
Some online resources are not available, for example: CCH eBooks Collection, Factiva, Gartner, Lexis Advance, LinkedIn Learning, ProQuest eBooks, Westlaw, and Australian Standards (TechStreet).
Resource type Item limit Loan period Renewable Requests Books,
CDs & scores
(Standard loans)20 4 weeks Up to 16 weeks No High Use Collection (HUC) No No No No Loan laptops No No No No Videos & DVDs,
theses,
all print journalsNo No No No CDs, DVDs & videos in Paddington storage No No No No Accessories Part of total items limit 4 hours No No Anatomical models,
valuable items (e.g. rare books)No No No No 7 day loan course resources Part of total items limit 7 days Up to 14 days No Interlibrary loans No No No No -
Retired UNSW staff
Who are retired UNSW staff?
Former UNSW staff members who have since retired from the University.
About this membership
A valid membership is required to access computers and borrow items.
Fees
$99.00 per annum (includes GST)
Expiry date
Your card expiry date is one year from the date of your application.
Required documents
Current photo ID
Proof of address (for example on your photo ID or a phone bill)
Retired UNSW staff (10 years or more service) - an employment statement letter can be obtained from HR
Borrowing and access rights
Library study spaces
Booking of study spaces (including rooms and computers) are available to current UNSW students only.
Online resources
Via Library desktop computers only.
Some online resources are not available, for example: CCH eBooks Collection, Factiva, Gartner, Lexis Advance, LinkedIn Learning, ProQuest eBooks, Westlaw, and Australian Standards (TechStreet).
Resource type Item limit Loan period Renewable Requests Books,
CDs & scores
(Standard loans)20 4 weeks Up to 16 weeks No High Use Collection (HUC) No No No No Loan laptops No No No No Videos & DVDs,
theses,
all print journalsNo No No No CDs, DVDs & videos in Paddington storage No No No No Accessories Part of total items limit 4 hours No No Anatomical models,
valuable items (e.g. rare books)No No No No 7 day loan course resources Part of total items limit 7 days Up to 14 days No Interlibrary loans No No No No -
Borrowers from other universities (ULANZ)
Who can apply for a ULANZ membership?
The University Library Australia & New Zealand (ULANZ) borrowing scheme allows staff and students to borrow in person from other participating universities in Australia or New Zealand.
Your university must be an eligible Universities Libraries Australia & New Zealand (ULANZ) member.
About this membership
A valid membership is required to access computers and borrow items.
Fees
Staff - no membership fee
Students - $55.00 per annum (includes GST)
Expiry date
Your card expiry date is 31 March.
Required documents
Current photo ID
Proof of address (for example on your photo ID or a phone bill)
Proof of current enrolment/employment from your university e.g. letter of enrolment/employment
Borrowing and access rights
Library study spaces
Booking of study spaces (including rooms and computers) are available to current UNSW students only.
Online resources
Via Library desktop computers only.
Some online resources are not available, for example: CCH eBooks Collection, Factiva, Gartner, Lexis Advance, LinkedIn Learning, ProQuest eBooks, Westlaw, and Australian Standards (TechStreet).
Resource type Item limit Loan period Renewable Requests Books,
CDs & scores
(Standard loans)20 4 weeks Up to 16 weeks No High Use Collection (HUC) No No No No Loan laptops No No No No Videos & DVDs,
theses,
all print journalsNo No No No CDs, DVDs & videos in Paddington storage No No No No Accessories Part of total items limit 4 hours No No Anatomical models,
valuable items (e.g. rare books)No No No No 7 day loan course resources Part of total items limit 7 days Up to 14 days No Interlibrary loans No No No No