Library Purchase Suggestion Guidelines

Who may use the item request service?

All members of Wyndham City Libraries are welcome to place a request and we will determine if the item is available for purchase or interlibrary loan. 

What can I request?

Most items that are not in our library catalogue, including books, magazines, DVDs, mp3 or CD audiobooks, eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines can be requested.

We will first attempt to buy a copy from our suppliers. If they cannot supply, we will attempt to request the item via interlibrary loan. However, only physical items can be requested via interlibrary loan.

Digital items such as eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines cannot be borrowed via interlibrary loan. Instead, we will try to obtain them from the digital platforms that Wyndham Libraries currently offer: BorrowBox, hoopla, ULibrary, Kanopy and PressReader.

Can I request for digital items like eBooks and eAudio?

Yes, you can request for eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers. Please check our eResources apps first as some titles that are not available on one platform may be available on another. 

• BorrowBox – eBooks, eAudio and ePress (digital magazines and newspapers)
• PressReader – digital magazines, newspapers and periodicals
• Hoopla – eBooks, eAudio, graphic novels
• ULibrary – eAudio

If the title you are looking for is not available on any of the platforms above, submit a request and we will find out if we can buy a copy on BorrowBox. We cannot add new titles on PressReader, hoopla and ULibrary, but we can add new titles on BorrowBox. 

How many requests may I submit?

You can place up to ten (10) active requests at one time. This includes pending requests yet to be processed, holds on the shelf awaiting pick up and interlibrary loans checked out on your card.

How do I submit my requests?

Before you request an item, please check the library catalogue. If the item is not on the catalogue, click ‘Can’t find it?’. 

On the next screen, you will find information about the shared collections. Try this option to expand your search through the shared collections catalogue. 

• If the item is available via the shared collections, place a hold just the same as you were requesting a Wyndham item.
• If the item is not available via the shared collections, click the link ‘Make your request here’. You need to be logged in to your account to proceed. Once you logged in, fill out the Make a Request form with all the required details and click Submit.

Alternatively, speak with our friendly staff in-person or over the phone (at 03 8734 8999) and we can place the request on your behalf.

What is an Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

An Interlibrary Loan transaction is a request to borrow from another library service or institution, any books or other materials, which are not available to borrow in our library's catalogue.

Shared Collections is a form of interlibrary loan. (See: What are the Shared Collections?) However, if an item is not available via the library catalogue and the shared collections catalogue, we will attempt to source your request via interlibrary loan with libraries outside of our shared collections network.

What are the Shared Collections?

Shared Collections is a resource-sharing arrangement between different library services in Victoria through the Public Libraries Victoria network. Shared Collections give Wyndham library members access to almost 700,000 additional books and other library items through our library catalogue, from libraries as far away as Swan Hill and Gippsland.

Search the shared collections here, and request items by placing a hold, just the same as you were requesting a Wyndham item. Available items from other libraries are typically supplied within two (2) weeks. Please note that some items from other libraries such as picture books and brand new materials may not be available to be requested directly.

Shared Collections Catalogue

How do I keep track of my requests?

You can keep track of your requests by logging in to your account at https://catalogue.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ with your library barcode and password. Then go to My Account and click on the Requests tab. 

Expanding the different requests will show the details of the item and the replies made by staff:

Alternatively, speak with one of our friendly staff who will be able to check notes on your account regarding your requests.

What if the item I requested is just recently published?

Place the request and our Collections Team will find out if it is available to purchase.

What if the item I requested is not yet published?

Items due for publication or release more than three (3) months in the future cannot be processed. Please check our catalogue again closer to release date. If the title is not on our catalogue by then, please place another request.

I want a title which may now be out of print. Can you get it?

Typically, older items, specialist items and titles with a limited print run may no longer be available for purchase. Nevertheless, place a request and we will attempt to source the item via interlibrary loan.

What kinds of materials cannot normally be borrowed through Interlibrary Loans?

There are times when interlibrary loans cannot be supplied either temporarily or at all for any of these reasons:

• item is out on loan and not currently available
• the lending library who has the only copy has temporarily suspended their interlibrary loan service
• in a special not-for-loan collection
• lost
• in high use at the lending library
• in a format restricted from interlibrary loan:
  • music CDs
  • board books
  • picture books
  • magazines
  • large items
• unavailable for interlibrary loan for other reason specified by the lending library
• unable to be sourced from any libraries within Australia.

What if I need information on a particular subject but don’t have an exact title?

Call or visit your nearest library branch so staff can help you find more information about a particular subject.

What if I no longer need an item I requested?

Speak with one of our friendly staff and we will cancel the request.

You can also cancel the request by logging in to your account at https://catalogue.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ with your library barcode and password. Go to My Account>Requests and tick the relevant request from the list, then click Cancel.

How much does an interlibrary loan cost?

No fees apply to interlibrary loan requests unless an interlibrary loan item cannot be returned or is returned damaged.  The fee payable in these cases will be determined by the lending library.

Wyndham City Libraries can source materials from other Victorian public libraries, and a limited number of interstate public libraries at no cost.

Materials can also be sourced from the State Library of Victoria; however, in most cases, these items cannot be taken home and must be read in a branch of Wyndham City Libraries.

Wyndham City Libraries currently does not source materials from universities or specialist libraries.

Are there other costs related to interlibrary loans?

Fees apply to lost or damaged interlibrary loan items. The charge is the actual cost of replacing the item as specified by the lending library.

If the item has a blue strap or laminated card with it, these have to be returned in good condition with the borrowed item; fees apply if these are missing or damaged.

• Replacement cost of a lost blue laminated card is $2.00. This card is attached to ILL DVDs and mp3 CDs.
• Replacement cost of a lost blue book strap is $5.00. This strap is attached to ILL books.

How long will it take to receive my request?

Depending on availability of items, delivery can take up to:

• Four to twelve (4-12) weeks for new purchases
• Two to six (2-6) weeks for interlibrary loans

In the case of interlibrary loans, it also depends on the location of the lending library and their response time. Some items may be more difficult to locate and may take longer than average, and some may never become available for borrowing.

If you have a specific deadline by which you need the material, let the library know when placing your request.

Please also allow adequate lead-time when making a request.

How will I know when my requested items arrive?

Library patrons will be notified via email or SMS when the item is available for pickup. 

If the requested item cannot be fulfilled, this will be noted down on your request. You can view the notes on your requests by logging in to your account at https://catalogue.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ with your library barcode and password. Then go to My Account and click on the Requests tab.

How long may I have interlibrary loan items for use?

Interlibrary loans typically have a loan period of four (4) weeks and can be renewed three (3) more times unless someone has a hold on the item. 

Interlibrary loans that come with a blue strap or blue laminated card have special conditions: the loan period is six (6) weeks, but these items cannot be renewed.

What if I am not finished with the interlibrary loan item by its due date? Can I renew my interlibrary loans?

Interlibrary loans that come with a blue strap or blue laminated card have a longer loan period of six (6) weeks, but these items cannot be renewed.

All other interlibrary loans can be renewed three (3) more times unless someone has a hold on these items. When an item on your account becomes overdue (Wyndham copy or interlibrary loan), your account will be blocked from borrowing another item. Make sure to return the overdue item as soon as possible to remove this block.

Why can’t you get what I’ve requested?

There are times when requests cannot be supplied either temporarily or at all through our suppliers or interlibrary loan.

Items may not be available to purchase because they are out of print or not yet published.

Similarly, items may not be available through interlibrary loan for the reasons listed in the previous section: What kinds of materials cannot normally be borrowed through Interlibrary Loans.

How do I contact the library regarding my title requests?

Call the Library at 03 8734 8999 or visit any of our branches to speak with our friendly staff.

Please allow at least two (2) weeks before inquiring about the status of your title request.