Conditions of Membership

Membership types

Full membership

1. Full Membership is free and open to any resident of Victoria. Non-Victorian (Australia only) residents are invited to apply for a temporary or web membership.
2. A full library member or card holder is entitled to borrow library items, use our online services, public computers, and Wi-Fi services. This requires proof of ID showing current name and address when joining in person:
   1. Baby/Junior/Teen (0-15) must be joined up by a parent/guardian/guarantor (Guarantors) and provide current proof of ID, showing name and address of the guarantor. Guarantors will have access to all details and borrowing history of the card/s for which they are responsible. The guarantors will be the point of contact for overdue and problem items. Adult rated items may be restricted.
   2. Teens (16-17) may sign up without a parent or guardian present. Proof of age, phone number and postcode must be provided on sign-up. 
   3. Adult must provide proof of ID, showing name and current address when joining our libraries in person.
   4.  Concession (Seniors, Pensioner Concession and Healthcare Card) must provide proof of ID, showing name and current address AND valid concession card when joining our libraries in person.

   5. Organisational Membership Organisations are entitled to borrow library items, utilise our online services, public computers, and Wi-Fi services. To become an Organisational member, the manager or director of the organisation is required to complete an Organisations Membership Application Form. Membership is valid for one year

3. Members/guarantors/organisations are responsible for all library items issued on their cards for which they have signed including loss or damage to any library items or equipment.
4. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council sets fees and charges on an annual basis. See below for further information.
5. Members/guarantors/organisations are required to keep the library updated of any change of contact details (address, email, phone, etc.) This can be updated in the user’s account online or provided to a staff member in branch or over the telephone.
6. Our Library memberships/membership card is not transferrable.
7. All members agree that they will conduct themselves in a manner considerate of others, will not conduct illegal activities and will treat Council facilities with reasonable care.
8. Breach of conditions of use may result in a warning, followed by suspension of access to library services.
9. Members are required to have their library barcode number and pin each time they visit. If they don’t have their card number or PIN, suitable confirmation of the member’s details such as birthdate and address or proof of ID is required for Staff to provide this information to the member. Permission for those under 16 years of age to access their library card details must be provided by a guarantor.
10. There is no limit to the total number of items you can have on your library card at any one time. Limits do apply to maximum loans for some digital eResources.  
11. All items may be borrowed for 3 weeks, except for magazines which are a 1-week loan.
12. All items are available for loan except for the Reference and Local History collections, items on reserve and items with exceptions.
13. All Our Library items can be returned to any of Our Library locations regardless of where they were borrowed. (Hastings, Mornington, Rosebud, Somerville, Sorrento) 
14. Items will be automatically renewed provided they have not been requested by another customer or have reached the maximum renewal limit.
15. Our Library must be notified immediately if a membership card is lost or stolen. Members are responsible for any items borrowed on their card before it has been reported lost or stolen.
16. Guarantors are responsible for the borrowing choices and any fees and charges incurred for all persons under the age of 16.
17. Damaged or lost items will be charged a full replacement fee or a repair cost for items on your card, or on a card for which you are a guarantor.
18. Our Library endeavours to keep audio-visual items in good condition. We accept no responsibility for damage to borrowers’ equipment caused by a faulty or damaged item(s).
19. A replacement fee is applicable for lost, stolen or damaged library cards.
20. Members/guarantors/organisations should immediately report loss or theft of library items.
21. Members/guarantors/organisations who provide an email account will receive a courtesy reminder email 2 days prior to items being due.
22. Members who provide an email account will receive a monthly eNewsletter and occasional updates, with the option to unsubscribe.
23. Items which are unavailable from Our Library may be requested from other libraries via our Inter-Library loan service. A fee is charged for this service, except when items requested are in a foreign language.
24. Items may be reserved. A reservation fee is only charged for Inter-Library loans. Additional fees may also apply from other lending libraries. Reservations can only be borrowed with the library card used to place the reservation.
25. Members/guarantors/organisations are required to sign their library card, and/or the library card of the child under 16 years of age for whom you are taking responsibility. This signed card will serve as a legally enforceable document to state that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with:
    1. Conditions of Library Membership
    2. Conditions of Use for Library Computers and Library Wi-Fi facilities.

Web Membership

Web membership is available to all Australian residents to use Our Libraries online resources.

1. Join Our Library:
2. No physical library card will be issued, you will be emailed a membership number and PIN to use online
3. Has full access to Our Library eLibrary.
4. In library use of public computers, Wi-Fi, and printing services
5. Web members need to upgrade to a full membership to borrow items from Our Libraries.

Temporary membership

Temporary membership is available for visitors over the age of 18 to the Mornington Peninsula Shire

1. Has full access to Our Library eLibrary.
2. In library use of public computers, Wi-Fi, and printing services
3. Temporary members need to upgrade to a full membership to borrow from Our Libraries.
4. Expires in 3 months from the date of acceptance and will be automatically deleted

Conduct in the Libraries

Our Library is committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all members, visitors, and library team members. All users must conduct themselves in a responsible, safe, and reasonable manner at all times within the libraries.

1. Respect: All users and staff are to be treated with courtesy and respect at all times.
2. Behaviour: All users must behave in an orderly, responsible, safe, and lawful manner. This includes refraining from running, swearing, harassing others, showcasing aggressive behaviour, threatening staff or other library users, committing theft, causing malicious damage, or throwing items in the facility. Library team members have the right to ask customers behaving in an unacceptable manner to leave the building. People who consistently behave in an unacceptable manner may be refused entry to the libraries for a specified period of time.
3. Instructions: All users must follow all instructions and directions given by Mornington Peninsula Shire and Library staff.   
4. Children: Children in any of Our Library Service facilities who are under twelve (12) years of age, must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible person.
5. Belongings: You are responsible for your own personal belongings. You must attend to these items at all times. Mornington Peninsula Shire is not responsible for any items that are lost, stolen or damaged.
6. Dress Code: Appropriate dress is required, including wearing of footwear and a shirt/top.
7. Quiet: Although our Library is not considered a quiet place, please be mindful of other users within in the library and keep conversations and music/audio noise to a respectful volume.
8. Intoxication: Users must not be deemed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or in the possession of prohibited substances. Library team members have the right to ask customers who appear to be under the influence to leave the building.
9. Animals: Only registered assistance animals (such as Guide Dogs or Story Dogs) are permitted within the facility. 
10. Vehicles: Users must not ride scooters, bikes, skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades or similar items in the facility. Items left in the foyer or unattended within the library are at the owners’ risk. 

Conditions of Use for Public Computers and Our Library Wi-Fi

Our Library is committed to providing free public computer access and Wi-Fi at all libraries for members and visitors, subject to availability. Details of members are recorded at the time of booking for security and statistical purposes and all web traffic is monitored for inappropriate or illegal use. Fees apply for printing.

Users of the public computers and Wi-Fi service through Our Library are required to abide by the following conditions of use:

Access Terms

1. Access to library public computers is only allowed with a valid membership card or temporary visitor pass and a PIN. The Wi-Fi is open to all when they accept the conditions.
2. Wi-Fi capable laptops, tablets or other portable devices are required to use Our Library Wi-Fi service and should be accessed or used at the owner’s discretion.
3. Public computer use is limited to one (1) hour per session/sitting and maximum of three (3) hours per day.
4. Three (3) advance bookings in total including existing bookings can be made up to seven (7) days in advance using our automated booking system.

Basis of access

Our Library

1. Does not take responsibility for your privacy and confidentiality in the use of online resources and computers. You should exit /logout of sensitive information services (bank details, medical, email) and at the end of your session, ensure that all opened browser windows are closed, and the computer is logged off. Do not leave passwords on display.
2. does not guarantee the authority or accuracy of any information found in electronic resources
3. is not liable for any loss of data, funds, or identity theft that may result from internet use in the library.
4. is not liable for any security breaches, including viruses or malware, suffered by users when using library equipment.
5. Is not responsible for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the unavailability of library equipment or the internet including interruptions during use.

Internet access by persons under the age of 16

1. Junior/teenage memberships require their guarantors' consent to access public computers and Wi-Fi.
2. Guarantors are responsible for the use of computers and Wi-Fi by persons under the age of 16. Anyone under the age of 12 must have an adult accompany them on the computers
3. Our Library recognises that there are issues concerning access to the internet by young people, and recommends that where concerns exist, parents or guardians supervise children as they access the internet.

 

Offensive Material

1. Users must not access, download, or print pornographic or other offensive material. Our Library uses filtering software to block known offensive websites, as well as gambling sites, but responsibility resides with the individual.

Intentional downloading/viewing of material on internet or viewing material stored in portable media that contains content considered to be offensive as defined by the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 is not permissible.

Offensive material includes, but is not limited to:

• any material that is deemed a breach of the Child Safety Policy(PDF, 424KB)
• obscene or harassing language or images
• searching images/websites containing illegal, criminal, anti-social, or extreme violence (which includes gun and knife violence)
• racial, ethnic, sexual, erotic or gender specific comments and/or images 
• images,and/or other comments or images that would offend someone based on their religious or political beliefs, sexual orientation, physical features, national origin or age (as defined in the Equal Opportunity Act)

2. All library computers are situated in public areas, within clear view of staff. Anyone found viewing offensive material will be requested to cease accessing the site. A team member has the right to direct the user to leave the library, to direct the user not to re-enter the library for a specified period and to report unlawful conduct to the relevant authorities.

3. Users should report any instances of inappropriate use immediately to a Library staff member. It is recommended that members of the public do not approach the alleged user.

4. A breach of any of these conditions of use will result in the immediate withdrawal of internet use and repeated offences may result in withdrawal of membership privileges.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Libraries is committed to being a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse – this includes accessing any material that is illegal or offends or exploits children.

Copyright and copying

1. Users are responsible for abiding by all copyright, censorship and other relevant laws and legislation when accessing, saving and/or printing materials. Further information and advice are provided by the Australian Copyright Council.

Privacy statement

The information is being collected by the Mornington Peninsula Shire in accordance with its Privacy Policy and the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 for the purpose of your library membership. You may access personal information you have provided and make changes to your membership details by contacting our library staff or email at askalibrarian@mornpen.vic.gov.au. The Shire will only use this information for the purpose it was collected and may use it for a secondary, related purpose that could be reasonably expected.

Fees and charges

• These fees and charges are applicable from 1 May 2021
• The following list of fees and charges is supported by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
• All charges are non-refundable
• Unless specified (*) all charges include GST, where applicable
• It should be noted some values are different for borrowers with C (Concession) Borrower Type
• These concessions are outlined below

 

Service	Standard rate	Concession rate
Printing and Photocopying (per page)
A4 page: black and white	$0.20	$0.20
A3 page: black and white	$0.30	$0.30
A4 page: colour	$1.00	$1.00
A3 page: colour	$2.00	$2.00
Reservations	FREE	FREE
New Item Requests (per item)	FREE	FREE
Inter-library loans from other libraries (per item) Plus, any additional costs incurred from the lending library	$8.00	$4.00
Replacement Membership cards	$3.00	$3.00
Lost or irreparable library items	Cost of the item	Cost of the item
Damaged repairable library items
All library items with the exception of Talking books	$6.00	$6.00
Talking books: Replacement cost per disc	$22.00	$22.00
USBs	$5.00	$5.00