Making requests

Finding items on the shelves

You can find many items yourself on the shelves of the Library's reading rooms. If an item is available on shelf you will see a link with the item's location and call number, reading 'Find on shelf in Redmond Barry' or similar.

Requesting items from onsite storage

To make a request for an item that is in onsite storage you need to be signed in as a registered Library user. Once you are signed in, follow these steps:

• Click on the link, 'Request item from onsite storage'. You can find this link on both the search results page and the page with more details about the item.
• A pop-up window will appear. In the 'Select a request' drop box, select either 'Request for today' or 'Request for another day' and hit 'Go'. (The 'Select a request' option will not appear unless you are signed in.)
• Complete the request form and hit 'Submit form'.

Requests 'for today' need to be made by 5:30pm. You can submit up to six requests 'for today' at a time. You can request up to six items from each collection 'for another day'.

Collecting onsite items
All onsite items you request can be picked up from the collection point in the Information Centre.

If you requested an item for that day, you can usually collect it within 20 minutes. Any items you request for another day will be available from 10am on the day you specified.

If you have not finished with an item by the time you are leaving the Library, ask at the collection point for it to be placed on the reserve shelves for you to use again.

Requesting items from offsite storage

Not all collection material is stored at the Library. Items stored offsite will have the message, 'Contact us to arrange delivery from Offsite store'.

You can order items from offsite storage in person at the information desk in the Information Centre or by phoning 03 8664 7002 during Library hours.

If you request material by 5.30pm from Sunday to Thursday, it will be available at 10am the next day. Material requested on Friday and Saturday will be available at 10am the following Monday.

Requesting heritage collections material

Not all materials held in the Heritage Collections (such as manuscripts, rare books and maps) are listed in the online catalogue, and Heritage Collections material cannot be ordered online. To search comprehensively for a Heritage Collections item, please telephone the La Trobe Reading Room on 03 8664 7009 to make an inquiry or to make an appointment to visit any of these collections and consult card catalogues and indexes.