Library services are available to assist students studying off-campus, including students enrolled in online and intensive courses. 

NB An online course is one where every element, including assessment and examinations, is able to be completed online or remotely. An intensive course is delivered in fewer sessions than the standard 13 week teaching period.

Postal loans, photocopying and scanning services, reference assistance, and interlibrary loans will be provided for eligible students.

Who can use Off-Campus Library Services?

• Students enrolled at the University of Canberra in at least one unit that is delivered online or in intensive mode 
• Any students who live 50 km or more outside of the Australian Capital Territory
• Students registered with the University's Disabilities Office, and deemed eligible for this service by the Disabilities Office

Off-Shore students:

• University of Canberra students living outside Australia are eligible for photocopying and scanning services, but not item loans

NB: Students who do not meet at least one of the criteria outlined above are not eligible for Off-Campus library services

How do I request services?

Before placing a request for an off-campus loan or off-campus document delivery you must register with the Off-Campus Library Service via the online registration form, or via forms available from the Information & Loans Desk at the Library.

After the registration process is completed, you can submit your requests via the online request form, via email, or fax or post your request. Your registration remains valid for your student enrolment period.

Requesting loans

What can I borrow?

All general loan books, videos, dvds and other audio-visual and software items in the Library’s collection are available for off-campus loans.

Items held in the Short Loan Collection (3 hour and 7 day loans), Reference Collection, and other special collections are not available for off-campus loans. However single chapters or 10% of items can be copied and sent to online and intensive course students, within current copyright restrictions.

Most print journals are not available for loan, however delivery of the copy of an individual article may be requested (within current copyright restrictions). The majority of the Library’s journal collection is available electronically; for assistance in locating articles students can email library staff via Ask a Librarian, or phone the Research Assistance Desk on (02) 6201 5082.

How do I borrow items?

1. Loans may be requested via the online form
2. Email loan requests 
3. Off-campus loan request forms are also available via the Library’s Information & Loans Desk and may be mailed or faxed to the Library

Reserving an item already on loan to another borrower

Eligible students unable to collect reservations in person from the Library may send their reservation requests to the Document Delivery section of the Library. Document Delivery staff will place a reservation on the item on your behalf.

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Loan periods

Loan periods for online and intensive course students requesting off-campus loans are the same as on-campus student loan periods. This allows 21 day loan periods for general collection items for undergraduate students, and 90 day loan periods for postgraduate students. The number of items that can be borrowed at any one time is the same as for on-campus students i.e.50 items.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the item is returned to the Library by the designated return date. Usual sanctions will apply to off-campus borrowers.

Delivery and return of items

Library staff will aim to despatch loan and copy requests within three working days of receipt, and to respond to research assistance requests within one working day of receipt.

During busy periods such as the start of semester supply times may increase to five days. Online and intensive course students will be informed if a reservation has been placed on an item on their behalf; and if a request is unable to be supplied the student will be notified.

The Library will pay the outward postage costs for items supplied. Items will be sent via registered post or courier delivery. Borrowers are responsible for the return postage costs. Items must be returned in a padded bag to prevent damage.

Requesting photocopies or scanning of items

Online and intensive course students can request photocopies of material within copyright limitations. This can include material not held in the general collection, such as short loan material.

The Copyright Act allows copying of one article per journal issue or one chapter of a book (or up to 10 per cent of the whole work, whichever is greater). Students also can request the item be scanned and emailed to them.

Requesting Interlibrary Loans

Online and intensive course students may request loans of items held by other libraries by submitting a request via the  Interlibrary Loan/ Document Delivery online request form. Students need to indicate on the form that they require Off-Campus delivery. Terms, conditions and costs of Interlibrary Loan provision are the same as for on-campus students; please check the guide to Inter-Library Loans and Document Delivery.

Books cannot be sent overseas.

Accessing Other Libraries

The Library is a member of the University Library Australia (ULA) National Borrowing Scheme. All staff and students from UC may borrow in person from any other interstate university in Australia.

To obtain ULA borrowing privileges at an interstate university library, it is advisable to contact the library where you are interested in borrowing to establish their conditions of use and borrowing.

More information is available at the University Library Australia website (PDF 66kb).

Please note that each library will have conditions of use and of borrowing. Some libraries will require a registration fee. More information can be obtained from the Information and Loans Desk or by phoning (02) 6201 2305.

Search assistance, Research Assistance Requests

Online and intensive course students can request research assistance by emailing the Library via Ask a Librarian. Students may also make an appointment for a phone research assistance session with a Research Assistance Desk staff member by calling the Research Assistance Desk on (02) 6201 5082. Off-Campus and Intensive Students also have access to online resources such as the Subject Guides & Library Services for Flexible Delivery Students or the Subject Guides.  

How do I contact the Off-Campus Students Service?

Hours:

• Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm

Contact:

• Phone & after-hours voicemail on (02) 6201 5729
• Email off-campus students service
• Fax: (02) 6201 5068 
• Ask a Librarian (email reference inquiries)

Postal address: 

Document Delivery
Library
University of Canberra
ACT 2601 Australia

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