Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Access to the library
- Who is eligible to use the library?
- How do I join the library?
- Do I need a library card?
- How do I contact the library?
- What are the library's opening hours?
- Is the library open during school holidays?
- Where is the library located?
- Is there parking available at the library?
- How do I get to the library by public transport?
- I'm studying Education at university. Can I use the library?
Finding information and resources
- How do I access the library catalogue?
- How do I find out about new resources?
- What's a database and how do I access one?
- Can I access journals online?
- Can I access the library website from home?
- Can I suggest material for purchase?
- Can library staff help me locate information or resources on a particular topic?
- Can I place an order for classroom materials ahead of time?
Special services
- What is Central Library and can I join?
- Can I access Education History Services?
- Can you help with school anniversary celebrations?
- Can I access enrolment registers at the library?
- Can I borrow videos from the library?
- Can I borrow a guidance test?
Borrowing
- How do I borrow books and other resources?
- How many items can I borrow?
- Who pays for postage costs?
- How long can I keep books out for?
- How will I know when my loans are due?
- How do I renew a book?
- Can I reserve a book that's on loan?
- How do I return books?
- What do I do if I have lost or damaged a book?
- What do I do if I have returned a book and I keep getting overdue notices?
- Are there any library fines?
- What should I do if I change schools?
Help and advice
- Where can I get advice about copyright?
- Where can I get advice about film classifications?
- Where can I get advice about selecting resources for school libraries?
- Why are there blue locks?
- Where can I locate password information?
- How can I purchase resources published by Education Queensland?
Interlibrary loans
- What if the library's collection doesn't have what I am looking for?
- For more information on Interlibrary loans, please refer to Professional collection: Interlibrary loans.
Alerting services
Using computers and library equipment
Access to the library
Who is eligible to use the library?
- DET staff serving the Education Portfolio;
- Training Queensland staff (excluding TAFE Institute personnel);
- Supply teachers currently registered with a Departmental Regional or District Office or with TRACER.
Education History Services are available to the public by appointment. To make an appointment, contact the library.
How do I join the library?
To register as a member or change your details, complete and submit the registration form. Eligibility applies.
Do I need a library card?
No, you do not need a library card to access Library Services.
How do I contact the library?
For general information about Libraries Services, Department of Education and Training:
- Phone
- +61 7 3421 6511
- Facsimile
- +61 7 3421 5622
- Inquiries.LIBRARY@deta.qld.gov.au
For specialised services or branches, see the Library Services contacts page. You may also submit an Ask a Librarian: information request form.
- Phone
- +61 7 3421 6549
- Inquiries.LIBRARY@deta.qld.gov.au
What are the library's opening hours?
The library is open from 8.30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. The library is closed on public holidays.
Is the library open during school holidays?
Yes, Library Services maintains its regular opening hours during school holidays.
Where is the library located?
- Street address
- Coorparoo Education Precinct
- 347 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo
- Postal address
- Library Services, Department of Education and Training
- PO Box 1238, Coorparoo DC Q 4151
Is there parking available at the library?
There is very limited visitor parking available at Coorparoo Education Precinct. Local street parking is available but be aware that time limits apply. Disabled parking is available on site.
How do I get to the library by public transport?
Brisbane City Council bus routes 200, 203 and 204 from the city centre stop outside Harvey Norman on Old Cleveland Road, which is a short walk from the library. Bus routes 184 and 185 also leave from the city and stop at the corner of Cavendish and Old Cleveland Road, a short walk from the library. Coorparoo Train Station is also nearby. For more information on public transport, see the Transinfo website.
I'm studying Education at university. Can I use the library?
The library is not available to university students. Please contact the library of the institution you are enrolled at for assistance.
Finding information and resources
How do I access the library catalogue?
The library catalogue is available online. For tips on searching, consult the search help or contact the library. To request items for loan, submit a loan request/renewal form.
How do I find out about new resources?
Library Services compiles lists of new resources fortnightly. Links to these lists are available on the Library Services' noticeboard and on the Department's Intranet bulletin board.
What's a database and how do I access one?
A database is an organised collection of information stored electronically. In the context of Library Services, database resources include journal articles, reports, statistical surveys and research findings. The library subscribes to a wide variety of Australian and international databases, many of which include some full text content. These can be accessed via the library's database gateway. Databases are available to DET staff with access to OnePortal.
Can I access journals online?
Yes, you can access individual journals and journal articles online via the database gateway. Databases are available to DET staff with access to OnePortal. Online journals can also be accessed from Library Services' eJournals gateway.
Can I access the library website from home?
Yes, you can access the Library Services website from home. Passwords are required for access to restricted areas of the website. DET staff serving the Education Portfolio and Training Queensland staff (excluding TAFE Institute personnel) can access password information via the Departmental Intranet (OnePortal).
Can I suggest material for purchase?
Yes. You may submit a Purchase suggestion form.
Can library staff help me locate information or resources on a particular topic?
Yes. Contact the library to discuss your needs or submit an Ask a Librarian: information request form.
Can I place an order for classroom materials ahead of time?
Yes. Contact Library Services to discuss your requirements or submit a loan request/renewal form or Ask a Librarian: information request form. When submitting your form, please include as much information as possible on:
- topic
- year level
- type of resources you require (e.g. fiction, non-fiction, big books, posters, multiple copies)
- number of items required (up to 50 items may be borrowed)
- date material is required
- whether material will be collected from the library.
Special services
Can I access Education History Services?
Education History Services are located at Coorparoo Education Precinct. Education history client services include a specialist information and referral service. Education History Services are available to:
- Queensland State Schools
- Employees of Education Queensland
- Members of the public (by arrangement)
Some Education History information is available via the Library Services website. For more information, please contact Library Services.
Can you help with school anniversary celebrations?
Library Services provides school anniversary celebrations information sheets and checklists.
Can I access enrolment registers at the library?
Enrolment registers are not available from Library Services or Education History Services. Prior to the last 15 years, contact Queensland State Archives (new window).
Can I borrow videos from the library?
Yes, videos and DVDs are available for loan from Central Library.
Can I borrow a guidance test?
A number of guidance tests
(new window 357k
) are available for loan to Departmental guidance officers. To request a guidance test, please complete the Guidance test borrowing form
(new window 191k).
Borrowing
How do I borrow books and other resources?
Items may be requested by registered clients by completing and submitting the loan request/renewal form. You are welcome to visit the library to select or collect loans.
How many items can I borrow?
You may borrow up to 50 items at any time.
Who pays for postage costs?
Library Services pays for outgoing postage costs. Cost of returning resources is the responsibility of the borrower.
How long can I keep items for?
The standard loan period is four (4) weeks. For items that have been reserved by other clients the loan period is two (2) weeks. Renewals may be available if an item has not been reserved.
How will I know when my loans are due?
When you borrow you will be issued a receipt with your loan that lists the due date for each item. You may also contact Library Services to find out the due date for your loans.
How do I renew a book?
You can renew your loans by telephone (7 3421 6511) or fax (7 3421 6522) or by submitting a loan request/renewal form.
Can I reserve a book that's on loan?
Yes, if you contact Library Services we will place a reservation for you. When it becomes available the item will be sent to you.
Can I borrow multiple copies of a title?
Yes, if multiple copies of a title are available. Up to 10 copies of titles in class sets can be borrowed per client.
How do I return books?
Books can be returned in person or posted to the library. Books may be returned at reception on Level 1. There is a 24 hour external returns box located in the car park directly behind Library Services. Borrowers are responsible for all return postage costs.
What do I do if I have lost or damaged a book?
You should contact Library Services immediately if you think you have lost a book and library staff will investigate. Charges may apply.
What do I do if I have returned a book and I keep getting overdue notices?
You should contact Library Services immediately and explain the situation. Library staff will investigate.
Are there any library fines?
The library does not generally charge overdue fines. Replacement cost may be charged for lost or damaged items.
What should I do if I change schools?
If any of your contact details change, please contact Library Services and advise us.
Help and advice
Where can I get advice about copyright?
Departmental staff should see the Department's Copyright Statement. The Legal and Administrative Law Branch may be contacted for advice on copyright issues. Another source of copyright information is the Australian Copyright Council (new window).
Where can I get advice about film classifications?
The Classification Board (Australia) (new window) provides information on its website about classifications (new window). Fact sheets (new window) provide specific advice.
Where can I get advice about selecting resources for school libraries?
Library Services coordinates review and evaluation services that provide information about teaching and learning resources to schools throughout Queensland. These services help teachers and teacher-librarians to select the best possible teaching and learning resources.
Why are there blue locks?
Areas with a blue lock 
are restricted to DET staff serving the Education Portfolio and Training Queensland (excluding TAFE Institute personnel) only. Access to locked sites from EQ schools and DET offices connected to the departmental
network does not require a password. Access from elsewhere is password protected.
Where can I locate password information?
DET staff serving the Education Portfolio and staff of Training Queensland (excluding TAFE Institute personnel) will require passwords for access to restricted areas of the website. Eligible personnel can access password information via the Departmental Intranet (OnePortal).
How can I purchase resources published by the Department of Education and Training?
EQ Shop permanently ceased operations as of 30 June 2005 due to the reducing demand for its services and products. Many departmental publications are available online via the DET website.
Interlibrary loans
What if the library's collection doesn't have what I am looking for?
The library offers an Interlibrary loan service to eligible Departmental staff located at Education House. To borrow items not held by Library Services, submit an Interlibrary loan request/renewal form.
District and Regional Office staff should contact the library's ILL officer to determine eligibility. School based staff should contact their school librarian for assistance.
Alerting services
What is the Information Update Service?
The Information Update Service is available to all interested DET staff serving the Education Portfolio and Training Queensland (excluding TAFE Institute personnel). The service comprises specialised alerting services covering a broad range of topics including early childhood, educational leadership, inclusive education, ICTs and new resources.
Content includes:
- Selected news reports sourced from accredited websites and online news services
- Links to current full text journal articles
- Online reports, conference papers and electronic books
- Website alerts
- New titles, bibliographies and services from Library Services.
To subscribe/unsubscribe one or more information updates, please complete the Information Update Service form.
How can I keep up-to-date with journal literature?
Journal alerts can help you stay up-to-date with what is being published in your area of interest through automatic e-mails generated from selected EBSCO databases. For more information, see Journal
alert instructions (new window 682k).
Using computers and library equipment
Can I use the Internet at the library?
There are a number of computers with Internet access available for use by clients at the library. Before use, clients are asked to sign the register located beside each computer.
Please be aware of the Department's policy regarding Internet usage:
ICT-PR-004: Using the Department's Corporate ICT Network
Can I photocopy at the library?
Yes, or you can scan to your own USB storage device.