CAVAL Borrowers - Library Services for Members of Victorian Universities
Borrowing with a CAVAL card at La Trobe University
What is the CAVAL Reciprocal Borrowing Program?
The CAVAL (Cooperative Action by Victorian Academic Libraries) Reciprocal Borrowing Program is a scheme whereby staff and students of participating libraries are able to borrow material from other participating Victorian libraries.
How do you obtain a CAVAL card?
This must be done at your own institution's library. You will be given a CAVAL card which is valid until the last date shown on the card. If you wish to enrol at a library after the date shown has passed, you must have your CAVAL card re-authorised at your own institution's library.
Undergraduates |
Postgraduate/Staff |
|
|---|---|---|
| How many items can be borrowed | 6 | 10 |
| Loan Period (unless otherwise stated) | 14 days | 28 days |
| Requesting Holds | 8 | 8 |
| Renewals | 3 | 3 |
Borrowing Procedure
All CAVAL borrowers must have their valid home institution ID (student/staff card) with them as well as their CAVAL card in order to borrow items or view selected audiovisual material. If there is no photograph on your home institution ID card, photographic ID (such as a driver's licence) must also be produced.
Lost CAVAL cards or student/staff ID cards must be replaced by your home institution in order to borrow from La Trobe University Library. Lost CAVAL cards must be reported to La Trobe University Library's Loans/Inquiry Desks and your home Library immediately so that your record can be annotated.
What may be borrowed from La Trobe University Library?
CAVAL borrowers may borrow material from most collections where they are registered. For details ask at the Loans/Inquiry Desk at that campus.
What cannot be borrowed?
- Items in the Catalogue listed as LIBRARY USE ONLY
- Books in the Reference Collection
- Books in Special Collections
- Books stamped NOT FOR LOAN
- Books from the Reserve Collection. Items may however be viewed in this area.
- Books designated as 3 day loans
- Journals / Serials
- Audiovisual materials
Loan Conditions
Items borrowed from the Loans/Inquiry Desks and Self Check Out machines are clearly labeled on a due date slip. All items must be returned or renewed on or before this due date. All overdue items incur fines.
Items must be returned to the library where the items were borrowed.
An item on loan to any one person may not be transferred to another. The person to whom the loan is made is solely responsible for the safe-keeping and due return of the item. Loans will only be issued to the valid card owner.
Audiovisual
Students/Staff with a current CAVAL card and valid Home ID may use selected audiovisual material and resources in the Library. Off Air recordings are not available to CAVAL borrowers.
Please be aware that priority will be given to La Trobe University students and staff.
Database Access
Off campus database access is not available to CAVAL borrowers.
Renewals
Books are renewable 3 times on or before the due date. Books will not be renewed when they are on hold for another borrower.
Clients are encouraged to use the My Library facility available on the Library Homepage or the Library Catalogue. This facility enables clients to see items they have on loan; the due dates for each item, as well as enabling clients to renew items.
How to renew books
There are three ways to renew books:
- Renew your own books using the Web. From either the Library Homepage, or the Library Catalogue, select My Library and follow the directions.
Note: When renewing books via the Web make sure the new due date is displayed beside each item as this confirms the renewal. Note the new due date.
The Library takes no responsibility for user error when clients attempt to renew their own items.
- Present your CAVAL Card and Home Institution ID card to the Loans/Inquiry Desks, with or without the items to be renewed.
- Telephone the Library Loans/Inquiry Desks.
Requesting Holds
You can Request a Hold online, directly from the Library catalogue, for an item currently on loan to another client at the campus where you have registered.
You will be notified by email when a requested item is ready for collection. Books are held on the Holdshelf for 7 days.
Recalls
The Library reserves the right to recall any item at any time. Items that have been recalled, and become overdue will accrue fines at the rate of $1.00 per overdue day.
Fines and Overdue Penalties
Fines
All overdue items incur fines. All fines incurred at Bundoora, Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga campuses are added together.
Unpaid Library fines or bills
Upon issue of an invoice, or when fines are outstanding, La Trobe University Library will notify your home institution. This may prevent you from borrowing, re-enrolling or graduating from your home institution.
| Rates of accrual of fines | |
|---|---|
| 28 day loans | 20 cents per day, per item overdue |
| 14 day loans | 20 cents per day, per item overdue |
| Overdue recalled items, or items with holds | $1.00 per day, per overdue item |
| The Library reserves the right to recall any item at any time | |
When fines of $10.00 or more are accrued across the three campuses of La Trobe University borrowers are: -
- suspended from borrowing at all campuses
- required to pay the total fine amount
- the home institution is notified if the fines are left upaid.
In January, each client's accumulated fines are reset to zero if less than $10.00 in fines have been accrued, and the borrower has no current overdue items at that time.
Notices
Notices can be sent to library clients by email. Please register your email address at the Loans/Inquiry Desks to use this service or by filling out the Library Notices via email form. Otherwise notices will be mailed to your nominated postal address.
- Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy when items are overdue.
- Recall notices are sent to clients if another user has placed a hold on the item. This indicates the item cannot be renewed, and advises the rate at which fines will accrue if the item is kept overdue.
- Hold Pickup notices are sent to clients to indicate that they can pick up a requested item. Hold cancellation notices are sent to clients to indicate that a hold has been cancelled.
- Courtesy notices are sent to clients to inform them that their item(s) are almost due, if an email address has been supplied to the Library.
- Invoices are sent when items have not been returned after a reasonable time. Invoices include an item replacement cost and a billing fee.
Failure to receive notices does not exempt clients from fines incurred on overdue items.
Items lost or overdue
When an item is lost or not returned after a reasonable period of time, the client will be invoiced for:-
- A replacement cost, plus
- A $20.00 billing fee.
Damaged items
When an item is returned in a damaged condition, the client will be invoiced for:-
- A replacement cost, plus a $20.00 billing fee, or
- A repair/binding cost as determined by the library.
Payment of fines or bills
Payment should be made at the Library Loans/Inquiry Desks at Bundoora, Bendigo or Albury-Wodonga Campus Libraries. Payment may be made by cash or cheque. EFTPOS facilities are available at Bundoora Campus.
The use of the CAVAL Reciprocal Borrowing Program, and borrowing from La Trobe University is a privilege, not a right. As such, you are expected to adhere to the Library Loan Rules.