LibrariesSA app

A hand holding a mobile phone with the LibrariesSA app displayed

The Libraries SA App is a fantastic way to access your Libraries from your digital device.

Using the app you can:

  • Store your library card, complete with barcode on your device.
  • Store your family's library cards on one device.
  • Search the catalogue from anywhere with an internet connection
  • Access our statewide eLibrary resources with ease
  • Scan any book, DVD or CD barcode to see if it’s in our libraries
  • Manage your library account including extending loans and reserving items.
  • ...and now you can borrow using the app at Unley Libraries - see below for detail.

The app is free and available for both Apple iOS and Android devices.

Apple iOS   Android


Borrow using your phone

Unley Libraries is one of a small group of public libraries in SA testing the new capability to borrow books with your phone. LibrariesSA is hoping to launch it state-wide next year.

LibrariesSA App users can use the Self-Service option to borrow library items within Unley Libraries, both Unley Civic and Goodwood branches and including both Toy Libraries.

Requirements

There are some minimum device requirements:

Android 

  • Device with NFC (Near Field Communication) capability (Android users must manually turn on NFC. This can be found in 'Settings' on your device). Note: if you use your phone to pay then you already have NFC turned on.
  • Android 7 Nougat or higher.

Apple

  • Device with NFC (Near Field Communication) capability (can be turned on either via the Shortcuts app or Control Centre, depending upon your iOS version). Note: if you use your phone to pay then you already have NFC turned on.
  • iOS 14 or above.

 

  • Location services and NFC (Near Field Communication) must be turned on.
  • Device is connected to data or wi-fi (you can use the Libraries SA free wifi).
  • LibrariesSA App.
  • You will need to be within the Libraries' buildings for the process to work.

 

How to borrow using your phone

  1. Open the LibrariesSA app and make sure you are logged in (if not, you will need your membership number and PIN to log in). 
  2. Scroll down to SELF-CHECK in the menu and click on it. After the first use, the button may appear at the top of the menu near the MY BARCODE option.
  3. Items check out to the default user unless you select another user from the dropdown list (if you have more than one membership card on your app).
  4. Click on CHECK-OUT - your phone will show READY TO SCAN
  5. Place your phone on the back of the book over the RFID tag. This is normally a white rectangular tag on the inside of the back cover.
  6. The screen will display a message whether the loan has been successful.
  7. Repeat for any additional items - select the SCAN A LIBRARY ITEM option
  8. Once complete, select FINISH in the top right corner of the screen. A popup will appear to confirm the number of items borrowed.
  9. Select OK to close. Your loans will appear in your MY ACCOUNT both in the Checkouts menu and also under SELF SERVICE RECEIPTS. 

SELF SERVICE RECEIPTS can be found under MY ACCOUNT in the menu. It will display multiple receipts. To see full details of items borrowed, click on the number of items in the individual receipt.

Or you can locate the items in CHECKOUTS under MY ACCOUNT.

Troubleshooting

  • Check you have internet access.
  • Check your device has the correct operating system.
  • Check that location services are on – can be set individually per app. 
  • Check that NFC is enabled – if you PayWave with your phone, it is on. You should only have to set up NFC once.
  • Do you have an extra thick or metal phone case? There has been at least one incident of the signal being unable to pass through a thick phone case. Metal will also obstruct or confuse.
  • There may be some difficulty with multi-part items like DVDs or CDs. If you encounter a problem, please ask a staff member for help.
  • You cannot return items via your phone. All returns must go through our kiosks or via a staff member.
  • Currently only available in Unley Libraries (and a few other testing libraries in SA).

If at any time you need help, please ask a staff member.