Library at a glance

The Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library supports the learning, teaching and research activities of the Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts and Music, University of Melbourne. 

The library is a branch of the University of Melbourne Library. The Library is located at the Southbank campus of the University of Melbourne.

The Library is named in honour of Lenton Parr (1924-2003), the distinguished sculptor, arts educator and Founding Director of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).

The collection was founded with the National Gallery School Library collection, when the VCA was proclaimed in 1972. The two founding Schools of Art and Music provided early strengths in these areas including books, journals, music scores and sound recordings. The addition of the Schools of Drama, Dance, Film and TV, and Production in the following decades are reflected in the collection, with extensive audiovisual collections on laser disc, video and DVD. The Library works closely with the Louise Hanson-Dyer Music Library, located at the Parkville campus, to support the teaching and research needs of the School of Music across the Parkville and Southbank sites.

The current collection consists of approximately - 60,000 books, 300 journal titles, 60,000 scores, 10,000 vinyl sound recordings, 5,000 CDs, and 1,000 DVDs. Access to electronic resources including online databases, electronic books and online audio libraries is accessible to all students and staff through the University of Melbourne Catalogue.

Location and Hours

The Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library is located at:

234 St Kilda Road
Southbank 3006

It is located in the Hub (Building H) First Floor, above the cafeteria. It can be accessed from St Kilda Road, between the Dance and Music buildings.

Map: http://www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/map/

For an audio tour of the Lenton Parr Library, please click http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/vlt/audio/index.html


Click here to take a Virtual tour of the Lenton Parr Library


2009 Library Hours

Click here to view the opening hours calendar.

The Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library is closed at weekends. It will also be closed on Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Tuesday, Anzac Day, Queen's Birthday.

PLEASE NOTE: THE LOANS DESK CLOSES 10 MINUTES BEFORE CLOSING. ALL TRANSACTIONS AT THIS DESK MUST BE COMPLETED BY THIS TIME.

CAVAL registrations close 1/2 hour before closing time.

Library contact and staff information

Enquiries: 
 Phone (direct): +61 3 9685 9053

General Enquiries (including email via Parkville campus):
http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/inquiry/ 

Loan renewals:
Phone: +61 3 9685 9052
Fax: +61 3 9685 9057  

Georgina Binns
Music, Visual and Performing Arts Librarian
(Senior Discipline Librarian, Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library and Louise Hanson-Dyer Music Library) 
 
Sarah Charing (Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri)
Laision Librarian

Warick Harvey
Library Service Officer 

Kelli White (Mon-Thurs)
Library Service Officer

John Williams
Cataloguing Librarian

Jane Cousens
Acquisitions Officer

To search for an email address for a staff member at the University of Melbourne please follow this link.

Borrowing

Renewals:

Loans Desk
Phone: +61 3 9685 9052
Fax: +61 3 9685 9057  

Online
http://cat.lib.unimelb.edu.au/patroninfo

Who can borrow?

  • Current University of Melbourne students and staff
  • Authorised VCASS senior students and VCASS staff
  • Approved borrowers by special arrangement
  • CAVAL registered borrowers from Victorian universities
  • Those eligible for the University Libraries Australia scheme

Loan conditions:

For up-to-date information: http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/services/loans/loan_table.html

Outside Borrowers

For those who are not current University of Melbourne staff or students there are a range of memberships available. Please note that these memberships include borrowing of library materials. Note: These memberships have limited access to electronic resources, media and other exceptions.

VCA Alumni are eligible for a concession rate for loans at the Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library only. 

For further information: 
http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/services/loans/pay_members.html#borrowing 

Interlibrary Loans

For University of Melbourne staff and students

  • Interlibrary loans are available to University of Melbourne staff and graduate students. Honours students are eligible, but need to complete a paper request and obtain authorisation from their supervisor.
  • Items can be requested from other libraries in Australia, and also overseas. The University of Melbourne Library bears the cost of these requests
  • To request an interlibrary loan, go to the University of Melbourne Library Interlibrary Loans page and select and complete the relevant request form. Please check the BONUS+ catalogue for holdings before you make requests.

For other libraries

  • Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library lends books and scores from its collection on Interlibrary Loan
  • Standard fees are charged
  • Requests should be made via LADD. For inquiries, please phone 03 9685 9053
Fines and Penalties

Fines apply to all library materials that are returned late.

For further information go to:

http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/services/loans/fines.html

Rolling Credit

  • Fines are not payable until the total fines on your record reach or exceed $15.00.
  • Once $15.00 is reached, all fines are payable.
  • Once paid and your record cleared, the Library will offer you another $15.00 credit. This rolling credit is a goodwill gesture, and should assist those who do not consistently return items late.

Payment of fines

  • Library fines can be paid by Credit Card, EFTPOS, cash or cheque at Student Administration during business hours. Patrons are also able to add cash to their Unicard/or ID card for debit at the Library Loans Desk.  This service is available during library opening hours. The library does not accept credit or EFTPOS at the Loans Desk. 

Suspension from borrowing

  • Once an item becomes overdue, borrowing privileges are suspended throughout the University of Melbourne library system, including the Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library, until the items are returned and checked in.
  • Suspensions also apply while there are outstanding fines or invoices on your record.

Other penalties

  • Until all overdue items are returned and all outstanding fines and charges paid, course results are withheld and it is not possible to enrol, re-enrol or graduate.

Your reponsibilities

  • All items must be returned on or before the due date via the returns chute.
  • All University of Melbourne borrowed items can be returned through the chutes at the Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library. Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library materials can be returned at other University of Melbourne Libraries.
  • As a borrower, it is your responsibility to note the date that borrowed material is due.
  • The due date is clearly marked on the receipt at the time of checkout.
  • You must keep a record if you renew an item. You can also monitor your library record via the catalogue – ask library staff if you need assistance with this.
  • Please note that notices are sent as a courtesy only, and failure to receive a notice does not excuse you from the responsibility of returning items on time. You must notify the Library immediately if your card has been lost or stolen as you will be held responsible for any items borrowed on your library record.

Renewals

  • Books and scores that are not overdue can be renewed.
  • Renew items via the catalogue, over the phone or at the Loans Desk.
  • Make sure you note the new due date.
  • Renewals can only be done on or before the due date.

Remember: the simplest way to avoid fines and penalties is to return items on time.

Lost books

Replacement costs, as well as an administrative fee, are charged for all library items that are lost or stolen. If items are subsequently found and returned, the replacement cost may be refunded, but the administrative fee will still apply.

Special Consideration

Patrons seeking special consideration for overdue items due to illness or personal crisis should see the Music, Visual and Performing Arts Librarian. A medical certificate and/or a statutory declaration may be requested.

Photocopying

The Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library offers access to photocopying services using the Unicard system and is compatible with the University of Melbourne Library Unicard system.

  • Cards cost $2.00. $1 credit is included.
  • Cards purchased at the University of Melbourne will also work in the Lenton Parr Music, Visual and Performing Arts Library   photocopiers and visa versa.  
  • Cards are rechargeable
  • Cost of copies:  
  • Black and White

A4 12c/page
A3 20c/page
B4 12c/page

  • Colour

A4 $1.00/page
A3 $2.00/page

  • Double sided and transparency copying available
  • Transparencies may be purchased from the Loans Desk