BAR Borrowing

What is the BAR?

The BAR (Borrow and Return) is the UQ Library's self-service dispensing machine. In 2011, UQ Library purchased two machines to allow students a quick way to access the collection. Each machine is loaded with course resources (books & dvds) that are considered to be in-demand. All items in the machines are borrowed on a short term loan to keep the them circulating amongst students. Each BAR has the capacity to hold many hundreds of items, depending on their size and weight.

Left: Exterior of the BAR, Right: Interior of the BAR showing trays loaded with books

Made by MK Sorting Systems of Germany, these are the first self-service library dispensing machines in Australia.

Where are the BARs located?

You will find the BARs inside two St Lucia campus Libraries:

Purple BAR
Social Sciences and Humanities Library (Building 12)
Level one - High-use and Multimedia area

Green BAR
Biological Sciences Library - 24/7 Study Space (Building 94)
Level one - adjacent to the Security Officer desk

Why is there a Purple BAR and a Green BAR?

To avoid confusion the two machines and the items inside them have been colour coded. Items with a green sticker belong to the Green BAR and those with a purple sticker belong to the Purple BAR.

Items must be borrowed from and returned to the same machine.

Above: Purple sticker on a book being
borrowed from Purple BAR

How do the BARs work?

A UQ Student card is needed to operate the machine.
Each BAR has two separate workstations and they are operated using a simple touch screen. The left and right hand stations have slightly different functions - if you want to borrow and/or return items you need to use the right hand station

Left hand station - allows you to search and reserve items only.

Right hand station - allows you to search, reserve, borrow and return items.

Click here for a BAR Instruction Booklet (675.66 KB) detailing step-by-step instructions.

How long can I borrow the items for?

Biological Sciences Library - Green BAR - 24 hours
Social Sciences and Humanities Library - Purple BAR - 4 hours

Printed receipts are dispensed when an item is borrowed (Check-out Receipt) and again when an item is returned (Return Receipt) see below:

Penalties apply if items are not returned within the designated time - the time it was borrowed and the time it must be returned is printed on the receipts, as shown.

How do I pay my fine?

Clearing your suspension

How do I get help if I am having trouble?

At the Social Sciences and Humanities Library, staff are available to assist with questions.
The Biological Sciences Library is a 24/7 Study Space - please report difficulties to the Security Staff on duty.

How do I know what items are held in the BAR?

If you are Searching at the BAR: Select Browse all. A list of items available for loan will be displayed. Please note: If an item has been borrowed from the machine it will not appear on the list, only items currently available will be listed.

If you are Searching from a computer: Search the UQ Library Catalogue online for the item you are needing. It will be indicated if a copy is available from the SSAH book machine or Biol Sci book machine. However, you cannot search the Library catalogue specifically for items held in the machines.