If you want to grab something from the shelf at your campus library, there are a few things you need to know first.
Students can 'place a hold' or request an item (print book or multi-media)
When the item is available at your campus library, a notification is sent to your student email account to let you know it has arrived, or you can check your MyLibrary! app.
Ask at your campus library where the Hold Shelf is situated.
When you have finished with the item, return it to your campus library and the library staff will take care of the rest.
The BONUS+ initiative allows Federation University students to borrow books free-of-charge from other participating university libraries, without the need to travel.
CAVAL reciprocal borrowing program is a free Victorian borrowing program allowing students and staff of participating libraries to borrow material from other Victorian academic and TAFE libraries.
You can easily register at any CAVAL member library when you go there or ask at your own University or TAFE Library. You will be given a CAVAL card which is valid until the last date shown on your institution's ID card or the 28th February of the following year.
If you already have a CAVAL card and wish to enrol at a library after the date shown has passed, you must have your CAVAL card re-authorised. This can be done at any member library, and provided you are still in good standing, your card will be re-authorised.
Please note that you will be required to present proof of your current enrolment. You may do this as often as is necessary throughout the year.
CAVAL Reciprocal Borrowing program FAQs (pdf, 180kb)
Find out about other reciprocal borrowing schemes from this page.
You can request electronic copies of journal articles and book chapters which are only available in print. Contact the Library for further assistance.
Use the Document Delivery service to request web delivery of journal articles and book chapters only available in print or not held by Federation University. For information on other library services for postgraduates see the Library Staff and postgraduates page.
Click on each drop down for an explanation
Borrowing guidelines for Federation TAFE and undergraduate students -
100 item borrowing limit
14 day (2 week) borrowing period
eligible items will auto-renew up to 20 times (items such as laptops and other equipment are not eligible)
For more information go to
Students and staff are able to opt in to using the Reading History , which keeps a record of every item borrowed from the Federation University Library, from the time you turn on the Reading History .
Students and staff can view and renew their currently borrowed items through MyLibrary login on the library homepage, or through the MyLibrary! app that can be downloaded and installed on an Apple or Android device.
To login use your standard Federation username and password that is used to access Moodle, email or MyStudent Centre
Hard-copies of journals cannot be borrowed but the relevant article/s may be photocopied in the library
However, students can request electronic copies of journal articles or book chapters of books in eReadings or closed access collections .
Read more about how to make requests and any conditions of making a request at the following link.
The Library has access to an extensive collection of electronic journals through databases we subscribe to. These journals are available by searching:
Staff and students can submit a request for the library to purchase books.
Find out more information from here.
Use this link to suggest a title for purchase
Remember, you can always ask for help from a librarian using the chat pop-out at the side of this guide