• long running

Free 3-12 Month Temporary Visitor's Membership at Most Australian Public Libraries

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I discovered this when I was recently holidaying in Perth, and as I hadn't been aware of it before thought it deserved a post. I've looked up other public libraries in other states and territories, and it appears to be a standard offer. I've copied a few below. Of note, most require you to attend in person to access the temporary membership, which gets you library access for 3-12 months depending on the library. The Regional WA Consortium appears to be an outlier, in that you can access full membership (no time limit) without being a WA resident.

Obviously, signing up to the various libraries allows you to access and borrow physical library content, but more importantly allows access to elibrary content during, and potentially beyond, the length of your actual stay in the area.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
City of Darwin Library:

  • " Lite Membership is a temporary membership type designed for both visitors and NT residents who may not be able to provide photo identification and/or proof of NT residence. Lite Membership is valid for 12 months, gives you access to the online resources and allows you to borrow three items at a time. Please visit the library to become a Lite Member. To obtain a Lite membership, you will need to provide some form of identification, such as a bank card, employee ID card, heathcare card, medicare card or other photo ID" https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/libraries/borrow/join-the-libra…

  • In the NT, the libraries have the Connect NT network. All current Northern Territory public library membership cards are accepted at any other Northern Territory public library.

  • eResources: Libby, Borrowbox https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/libraries/borrow/digital-librar…

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Western Australia State Library:

City of Perth Library:

  • "Temporary membership. In some circumstances, people who are visiting Western Australia or who are unable to meet the conditions outlined above may be granted a temporary membership. Temporary memberships are valid for three months. Temporary members may borrow up to two items at a time."
    https://perth.wa.gov.au/community/community-services-and-fac…

  • eResources: Libby, Borrowbox, Freegal, PressReader, Hoopla, Kanopy, Beamafilm

Regional WA Library Consortium (all non-Perth public libraries)

TASMANIA
Tasmanian Public library:

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Libraries SA:

  • "If you live outside of South Australia, you can be granted a temporary membership. This type of membership applies whether you live in another State or Territory of Australia, or are visiting from overseas. A temporary membership allows you to borrow a maximum of five items at a time and will expire after three months. It also allows you to access the public WiFi networks available in most public libraries in South Australia." https://library.light.sa.gov.au/about/who-can-join/

  • All SA libraries use 'the One Card', which allows you to borrow from any public library in South Australia https://www.libraries.sa.gov.au/client/en_AU/sapubliclibrari…

          * eResources: Libby, Borrowbox
    

QUEENSLAND

  • Brisbane City Library: doesn't offer any membership to non-Brisbane residents, you must have proof of a Brisbane address https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/things-to-see-and-do/council…

  • State Library of Queensland: doesn't offer any membership to non-Qld residents. https://patron.slq.qld.gov.au/Register

  • Moreton Bay Council Libraries: "You can join Moreton Bay Region Libraries if you live, work or study in the region. You can also join if you live in a neighbouring region, i.e. Brisbane City Council, Somerset Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Region or Noosa Shire Council, or are visiting the Moreton Bay Region temporarily. Library membership is free, there are fees and charges for some services. A membership is valid for 2 years, after which you just need to renew online or visit us in the library." https://library.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSG…

                       * eResources: Libby, Borrowbox, Hoopla
    
  • Logan City Council Libraries: No temporary membership offer. "Any residents of Queensland may join as a member. If you live outside of Queensland and only need to use the internet while travelling through Logan, membership is free. However, if you would like to borrow items there is a $20 fee. This fee is refundable by cheque upon closing membership and return of all items. Bring proof of your permanent address, and if possible, where you are staying locally." https://loganlibraries.org/service/get-a-library-card/

  • Sunshine Coast Libraries: Free online membership for any Australian resident. "If you are 16 or over, you can become an online member of Sunshine Coast Libraries. Use your online membership to book computers, print and copy, access the eLibrary and make reservations. To upgrade to a full membership with borrowing privileges, visit your local library." https://sunshinecoast.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/O…

             * eResources: CloudLibrary, Libby, Hoopla, Borrowbox, uLibrary, PressReader
    
  • Gold Coast Libraries: " Temporary online-only membership. If you can't get to a library, Gold Coast residents can join as a temporary online-only member to access to our great collection of digital resources." "Visitors can sign up for temporary membership, ideal for holidays or short trips to the Gold Coast. Residents of neighbouring Queensland local government areas – Scenic Rim, Brisbane, Logan and Redland Councils – can join Gold Coast Libraries as a reciprocal member. Other Queensland residents can join on a six-month membership. For interstate residents here for a longer stay, we also offer fee-based membership with the same benefits that locals enjoy." https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/libraries/About/Membership

An honourable (non-Australian) mention also goes to the Chicago Public library, which you can sign up to online (register using a Chicago address) and then access ebooks and audiobooks etc. https://www.chipublib.org/get-a-library-card/

Related Stores

perth.wa.gov.au
perth.wa.gov.au

Comments

  • +3

    That's awesome! Thanks for the information OP. When we were holidaying in Adelaide we went to the kids story time as they are always free.

  • -4

    All libraries have always been free has that changed

    • +8

      The library is free .. but if you're not a "local" they won't let you sign up for membership to be able to borrow anything.

      You can use it within the library but not take anything out

      • +1

        Yes this.

      • +4

        I borrow via Libby and have like 6 memberships. All seems fine.

      • It's weird. I've used NSW licence to register for a lib in VIC, and VIC licence register for two libraries in NSW

        • I’ve never had a problem either.

  • +17

    Libraries are an incredibly resource that offer so much to the community for free.

    My library app (Wollongong) has a scanning feature that looks at the barcode on a book when I'm out and about and shows if they have it in their network. Really handy and has saved me a bunch of money when I'm looking at book stores.

    • +3

      That's really cool.. does this feature have a name (eg an app name?) or something that I can ask my library about?

      • The app is provided by SOLUS, who make software specifically for libraries. It's a good little app for sure.

        • Solus went busted like 6 mths ago. All the libraries using that app have been out for quite a while.

    • +3

      Libraries are great and have so many amazing resources. That app sounds really useful.

  • +1

    free online only to Gold Coast Library

    Temporary online-only membership
    If you can't get to a library, Gold Coast residents can join as a temporary online-only member to access to our great collection of digital resources.

    Your request will be processed in two working days and your temporary online membership number will be emailed to you. You can then start downloading and streaming to your preferred device.

    https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/libraries/About/Membership

    • Thanks, I'll add it in to the post.

  • +3

    Imagine if one day we were a federation.

    • +1

      They want to be a republic first … and look what that did to the USA… each state is basically it's own country …

      Imagine Australia and the way that Covid "split" each state …
      I could go overseas to Singapore but couldn't travel to Queensland or Western Australia!
      Yet .. this was at a time they needed interstate peopel to visit and bring in money … go figure!

  • +1

    Or Anna's archive.

  • Great place for drug deals

    • More details please.

  • Any one know if any of these provide only access to Choice magazine?

  • That’s great, thanks! I’m already a member of so many libraries as they all offer different resources.
    Was a member of WA State library last year (before they realised I don’t live full time at the Hyatt Perth!), they even had Rosetta Stone for free. Haven’t been able to find another Australian library that offers it. Will check the ones you listed.

  • +1

    I haven't set foot in a public library since I got home internet in 1992.

  • +1

    I'm in NSW, I signed up to State Lib Qld by just giving a QLD address. Didn't ask for proof.

  • +2

    Cna anyone help me choose a library that gives free access to Choice Magazines? I only learnt the other day certain libraries do.

    • +2

      Logan

    • +2

      Libraries Tasmania

    • oh that’s good to know

  • Unless I’m doing I something wrong, WA Consortium also seems to require you to attend in person and show ID. It gives you a temporary login but it doesn’t seem to work on Kanopy or Libby.

    • +1

      Yes they require in-person check of your ID, but you get full membership which doesn't expire, (not a temporary one) as long as you are an Australian resident. This is unusual as most libraries require state or LGA residency to access a full membership.

      Some libraries which don't require in-person sign up include Chicago, Sunshine Coast and South Australia (but only from an SA-based IP address).

      • +1

        Makes sense, thanks! Looks like I need to book a flight to WA then..

  • +2

    Thanks OP, but dang it, I was just getting on top of my ebook and audiobook hoarding 😭

  • +3

    Which is the best library for audiobooks in Australia, if anyone knows? Thanks

  • +2

    I've been collecting library cards like Pokemon in Sydney so that Libby is searching a bigger pool of books.

    Anyone know of any libraries in Australia that have purely online sign up?

    • Melbourne city library

      • Thanks. It's Victoria only though.

  • Thanks OP.

  • It seems my Chicago membership was cancelled. It won’t let me reset the password either. Anyone else have an issue?

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