Borrowing

Books in the Law Library have four scales of borrowing:

  1. Two hour loan
  2. Overnight loan
  3. Seven day loan
  4. 28 day loan

Books that are two hour loan, overnight and seven day loan are marked accordingly on the books spine. 

Two hour and overnight loans are kept in the High Use collection, level 3 of the Law Library.  Seven day and 28 day loan books are kept in the general collection, level 5 of the Law Library.  See here for more information on borrowing.

Returning Law Library books

Overnight books must be returned the following day, and before the Law Library closes. Two hour loans that are borrowed an hour before the Law Library closes can be borrowed overnight. 

28 day and seven day loan books can be returned to any of the University of Melbourne Library branches. 

Please remember to return books by the due date. The Library imposes fines for overdue books, see here for more information.

Renewing loans

28 day and 7 day loan books can be renewed. You can renew books that you have on loan by logging into your patron record on the Library Catalogue. Books can be renewed if:

  • There are no holds on the item
  • You have less than $25.00 in fines
  • You have not already reached the limit of four renewals per item
  • A 28/90 day loan is not more than seven days overdue
  • A 7 day loan book is on or before the due date


You can renew University of Melbourne loans up to four times. Books that you have borrowed through Bonus+ can be renewed once.

Placing a hold on a book

If the book you require is out on loan to another person you can request the book via the Library Catalogue, using the ‘Request’ button. Placing a request on the book means that when the book is returned, the book will be placed on the self service hold shelf and you will be notified by email that the book is ready for you to collect. The Law Library’s self service hold shelf is kept in the High Use area, level 3 of the Law Library. 

Please contact the Law Library Loans Desk if you have any questions about the above on (03) 8344 6177 or email us law-library@unimelb.edu.au