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Membership terms and conditions

The following terms and conditions (‘Terms’) apply to Library memberships as described below.

In these Terms, ‘we’, ‘our’ and ‘us’ refers to State Library Victoria.

In applying for or using a membership, you agree to accept these Terms, and to comply with:

Library membership is open to individuals over the age of 12*, however members who live outside Victoria are not allowed to access our eresources from their homes. This includes ebooks, enewspapers, ejournals and streaming services.

*Members who are under the age of 18 must provide consent from their parent/guardian.

All memberships

Privacy

The personal information you provide will be used to manage and communicate with you about your membership and associated benefits, including sending occasional news updates and special offers. We may contact you from time to time to ask about your experiences with the membership program and your interactions with the Library. We may use de-identified membership data for research and planning to improve the membership program. We may also use personal information to assess and improve our performance and offerings, and to fulfil the Library’s functions under the Libraries Act 1988 (Vic).

To enable the Library to operate efficiently, the Library assigns a membership number to each individual who becomes a member.

We manage personal information in accordance with legislation, including the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and our Privacy Policy. We use third party systems and servers which may be located outside Victoria.

If you do not provide the requested information, we cannot register and administer your membership.

You can access your personal information by writing to our Privacy Officer at [email protected] or State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Using eresources from home – conditions of access

Use of eresources must be for personal (including study) purposes only, and not for business, commercial, professional or work-related purposes.

Use of eresources is governed by various agreements with third parties (including publishers), so you must comply with our directions about appropriate use of eresources.

Use of eresources is for members only, and is not transferable to anyone else.

In using eresources, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and will comply with all copyright and terms-of-use relating to the eresources, including restrictions about copying or reproducing material.

You also acknowledge that you must follow the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).

If we suspect that you have breached these Terms or infringed the rights of any third parties, we may provide your information to third parties in accordance with the law and our policies.

Please refer to our Intellectual Property Policy for more information, or email [email protected] for assistance.

Other conditions of use and service

A membership number may be required to access certain Library services. An individual cannot hold more than one membership number. An individual must use their own membership number to access Library services.

When using Library services, you must follow all relevant policies and terms and conditions, including restrictions placed on services that require a booking. You must not circumvent rules relating to Library services that require a membership number.

Please refer to the Library’s entry and service policies for further information.

Termination or suspension

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend (at our discretion) your membership if we suspect that you are not complying with these Terms or a Library policy. This includes where we suspect that you have:

  • abused a privilege afforded to you under the membership program;
  • misused your membership or breached the Library’s conditions of entry or an applicable Library policy;
  • failed to comply with a request or direction by Library staff;
  • breached any of these Terms or any terms of conditions relating to a Library service; or
  • breached an applicable law.

Updates

At any time, we may update or change these Terms, or other terms and policies referred to in these Terms, without giving you any notice. If that happens, we will try to ensure that you can still access all the benefits of your membership for the remaining duration of your then current membership. If we cannot deliver a membership benefit due to an unforeseen reason, then we will make reasonable attempts to provide an alternative, equivalent benefit.

Scope of responsibility

You are solely responsible for your membership, and you accept all risks and consequences that might arise from your use of your membership.

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

  • we exclude all liability to any person (including you) arising directly or indirectly for your use of your membership and associated benefits; and
  • you release us from all claims for any loss or damage connected with your use of your membership and associated benefits.

To the extent that our liability cannot be excluded, then to the extent permitted by law, you agree that liability is limited to, at our discretion, a remedy of our choice under section 64A of the Australian Consumer Law.

If any of these Terms are deemed illegal or unenforceable, then the removal of any illegal or unenforceable portion will not affect the remaining Terms.

Paid memberships

Conditions applicable to all paid memberships

Membership privileges are available on the presentation of a valid digital or physical membership card.

Membership is non-transferable – only the named person/s listed on your membership card may use it.

Members are responsible for ensuring the details of their membership, including contact details, are correct at all times.

Individuals under 18 years of age will need a parent or guardian to countersign their application for membership.

Membership funds are non-refundable. Memberships are valid for one year from the date of activation and must be paid in full at the time of applying for membership.

Memberships are annual and must be renewed in order to continue to access membership benefits.