Library membership

Join the Library and get access to our large collection of books, e-library collection, graphic novels, musical instruments, research databases, toy collection, and more!

Membership is free to all residents in Australia.
You can register online and collect your membership card in person at any Inner West Library by presenting proof of your name and current address.
There is no minimum age for joining, however those under the age of 16 years require the authorisation of a parent or guardian in person at a library.

Borrowing limit

Borrow up to 40 items (limit of 1 musical instrument, 1 robot)
Free reservations. Reserved items must be picked up within 7 days (not including public holidays).
If an item is reserved, the library will notify you and you will need to return the item.
If items are not returned after the two auto renewals or when notified, normal library suspension and replacement charges will be administered. Returning the items at any time will lift the suspension and remove all associated costs.
Please check due dates through your library account.
Auto renewals do not include e-resources (e-books and e-audiobooks).

Loan period

Initial Loan period on all items is 21 days.
No fines for items returned late.

Items with No Reservations

Items will be automatically renewed for further 21 days provided the items are not reserved.
If at 21 days still no reservation on the items will be renewed for another 21 days, effectively a loan of 63 days.
If items not returned at 63 days the membership card will be suspended until the items are returned.
In addition to the suspension the customer will be charged the full replacement cost plus the processing fee
Returning of the items will lift the suspension and remove all associated fees.

Items with Reservations

All items will be on loan for 21 days only.
The items must be returned within 7 day following the due date, effectively a loan period of 28 days.
If items are not returned at 28 days the membership card will be suspended until the items are returned.
In addition to the suspension the customer will be charged the full replacement cost plus the processing fee.
Returning of the items will lift the suspension and remove all associated fees.

Conditions of membership

All conditions of membership are in accordance with the NSW Library Act, 1939, as amended.

As an adult member, parent or guardian I undertake to observe library rules, make good the loss or damage of any item lent to me.
I note that children under the age of 7 must be supervised by a reasonable person who is 16 years or older. Supervision requires that the person be within sight of the child at all times.
I note that restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
I agree to abide by the Copyright Regulations which apply to published material in accordance with the Act, 1968 when photocopying or printing material from resources provided in Inner West Libraries.
If borrowing in person you must present your library membership card.
If eBorrowing, only, will require an E-membership number. An E-membership can be converted to a full membership in person at any Inner West Library.
New members will receive a regular email newsletter. You can choose to opt out at any time after the first newsletter.
A maximum of 40 items may be borrowed for three weeks, including two automatic renewals provided the item/s are not reserved.
Membership is suspended if you have overdue items and/or outstanding charges.
If you change your address or name please notify us as soon as possible.
Please report lost cards to the library as soon as possible. You may check the Replacement card cost at Council Fees & Charges
Membership details are confidential and Inner West Libraries agrees to abide by the Australian Privacy Laws.

Library user guidelines

Behaviour

Library users are required to behave and respect other users' rights to a safe and welcoming environment.

Be considerate of others
Be polite to others Respect cultural differences
Respect the rights of all library users and staff

Unacceptable behaviours:

Drug/alcohol intoxication
Verbally or physically abusing, assaulting, intimidating or harassing library staff and/or users
Theft, vandalism, carrying a weapon and other criminal offences will be referred to the NSW Police by library staff

Supervision of children

Supervising children in the library is not the responsibility of library staff. As libraries are busy public places, staff cannot judge which members of the public present a possible danger to children. If children under ten are found to be without adult supervision, library staff will attempt to contact their parents or care providers. If parents or care providers cannot be reached or ignore the Library User Guidelines, Rules & Regulations on the supervision of children, library staff will contact the NSW Police and or the NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) to ensure a child's safety.

Food and dress

Library users are required to dress in a manner that is appropriate and not likely to cause offence.

Wear footwear at all times
Keep food and drink away from computers
Respect cultural norms and sensitivities of others with their attire

Internet and computer usage

Library members may access the public computers up to 2 hours daily
Non-library members are permitted a computer access guest pass for 30 minutes daily
Bookings are essential and members must use their own library card
Access to the Internet facilities is free and conditions apply. You must not use our internet computers for illegal, actionable or criminal purposes including accessing explicit content or content that degrades a specific gender, ethnic or racial group. All portable drives must be scanned for viruses before use.

Additional guidelines

It is prohibited to:

Bring animals into the library (assisted care animals permitted)
Bring bikes, balls, skateboards, roller skates and scooters into the library
Distribute literature in the library
Undertake soliciting or selling in the library
Take photos in the library

What can library staff do?

The NSW Library Act empowers library staff to:

Direct any person to leave the library
Exclude any person from the library for up to one year
The NSW Library Act 1939 (Revised 2005) and Regulations (2005) are available at www.legislation.nsw.gov.au or from library staff. All criminal matters will be referred to the NSW Police.

Need help?

If you consider another person's conduct to be inappropriate, offensive or threatening please seek help from a library staff member. If you have any questions about the Library User Guidelines, Rule and Regulations or other matters ask a staff member.

Responsibilities

It is your responsibility to return items by their due date and all notices are sent as a courtesy only
If an item is lost or damaged, we will charge for its replacement plus a processing fee
The library asks for your co-operation in maintaining an environment for study and for the enjoyable use of our libraries
Your library card must be shown to borrow materials and to make a computer booking
Visitors shall not interfere with others use of the library or with a library employee's performance of their duties
Library computers are not to be used for illegal, actionable or criminal purposes, nor are they to be used to access inappropriate material that contain sexually explicit content or that degrade a specific gender, ethnic or racial group

Resource care code

The library provides many resources for the community to share.

Library users are required to take care of all the collection, equipment and resources they use.
Treat library resources with respect Remember that these resources are shared by all community members
Report damaged resources to library staff

Damage includes:

Cutting/ripping pages
Marking or highlighting material
Hiding or deliberately misplacing library resources
Defacing or damaging furniture

Accessibility

Accessibility Inner West Council is strongly committed to ensuring people with a disability have equal opportunity to take part in local activities and have fair access to Council and community programs, services and resources. All Inner West Council library branches have step free entry, though please note there is no accessible toilet at Stanmore Library.