Who Can Use Global Librarian?

Global Librarian is available to anyone entitled to receive the public library services of Eastern Regional Libraries (Melbourne, Australia), Southampton City Libraries (United Kingdom), Surrey Public Library (British Columbia, Canada), and Vaughan Public Libraries (Ontario, Canada).

You don’t have to be a member of Eastern Regional, Southampton, Surrey, or Vaughan Libraries, but you must either:

• Live, work, or study in the geographical areas they serve.
• Have a current membership with any of the partner libraries.
• Own property in the City of Surrey or the City of Vaughan
• .
  or
• Have an inquiry which can only reasonably be answered by a member library (e.g., a question about the local history of the areas they serve).

Global Librarian will not be able to assist you if:

• You are not eligible for public library services of either Eastern regional Libraries, Southampton City Libraries, Surrey Public Library, or Vaughan Public Libraries.
• Your inquiry does not relate to resources or information related to special or unique collections held by any of the partner libraries.
• Your inquiry falls outside the remit of public library services as defined by the partners’ governing bodies.

If Global Librarian receives inquiries which do not meet these criteria, the inquirer will be informed that Global Librarian is unable to help.

Am I a Member of a Global Librarian Partner’s Library Service?

To find out if you are entitled to membership at one of the public libraries belonging to Global Librarian, please visit the relevant Web site:

Eastern Regional Libraries

Southampton City Libraries

Surrey Public Library

Vaughan Public Libraries

What Kind of Questions Can I Ask Global Librarian?

Global Librarian will:

• Help you find answers to factual questions.
• Refer you to quality sources of information.
• Identify books, magazines, Web sites, online databases and other sources of electronic information on subjects of interest to you.
• Guide you to good information resources to help you form an opinion or an argument about a subject.
• Help identify expert organizations, individuals or agencies who can answer your question.

Must I Provide Personal Information to Use Global Librarian?

Global Librarian requires an accurate and working e-mail address to reply to your inquiries. Providing a phone number is optional, and you will not be contacted by phone unless you agree in advance to this option. Please refer to our Privacy Statement for further information.

How Often May I Use Global Librarian?

You may submit as many inquiries as you like to Global Librarian, but they must all fall within the Conditions of Use as set out here. If your inquiries fall outside the range of Global Librarian’s services, staff may suggest that you take one of the following courses of action:

• Visit or join your local library to obtain the help or resources you require.
• Contact a specialist organization (e.g., if you are researching your family tree, you may be referred to a genealogical organization for assistance).
• Discuss a school or college assignment with your teacher or tutor.

See also our section on Hints and Tips for using Global Librarian for more information.