GSV FAQ

Our premises are at Level B1 257 Collins Street, which is between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets on the south side (Melway 2F E5). The building has a second entrance from 250 Flinders Lane, use the lifts at the Collins Street end of the arcade. We are accessible by public transport and there are several car parks nearby.

Membership card

Please bring your membership card with you each time you visit the Society. Show your card at reception and wear it within the library.

Orientation

On the third Saturday of each month, except December, the Society runs a free orientation session at 10.30 am. All new and old members are welcome to attend and learn about the Society, the resources available and ask questions on researching your family. Please telephone to book a session.

Lunch facilities

There is a members’ room where you may eat and chat. Self service tea and coffee is available for 50¢ a cup and there is a refrigerator and microwave oven in the kitchen.

Library

For security reasons, all bags must be deposited in the free lockers. This includes compendiums, briefcases, bum-bags, handbags and opaque plastic bags. If you have special needs, a clear plastic bag will be provided at reception.

To preserve our records, only pencils may be used in the library and bookshop. If you do not have one, they are available at the information desk.

Phones

Although not a silent library, we ask you to respect others’ right to work without distraction in a quiet environment. There are no mobile telephone communications on Level B1. There is no public telephone on the premises, however, if you need to make an urgent call, please ask the receptionist for assistance. There is a public telephone nearby in Collins Street.

Reference works/Personal notes

Your working notes may be taken into the library. Please label them with your name in case you leave them behind. If you wish to take in published reference books, please label these clearly and show them to the receptionist.

Laptop computers

Power for laptop use is available in the library. Cases must be left in a locker but if attached to the computer, please open it for inspection at reception when leaving.

Assistance

The library is staffed by fellow members who volunteer their services to assist and advise on your research, they can be identified by their green name badges. Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. They will show you how to use the library catalogue to check what records we hold and then guide you in their use if required.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) films

The LDS have filmed many resources and these films may be hired and viewed in our library. Use the International Genealogical Index (IGI) or check the LDS catalogue (available at the GSV and on the Internet www.familysearch.org to identify the film(s) of interest, enter the necessary information on the appropriate form at the information desk, and pay a fee of $7.90 per film. When the films are received you will be advised by phone or mail, and be invited to reserve a film reader. Films are held for four weeks and may only be viewed in the GSV library.

Reciprocal rights with other societies

Under a reciprocal rights agreement, GSV members living in Victoria may visit the societies listed below. You will need to present your current membership card.

Genealogical Society of Queensland

Heraldry & Genealogy Society of Canberra

Northern Territory Genealogical Society

Society of Australian Genealogists

South Australian Genealogy & Heraldry Society

Tasmanian Family History Society

Western Australian Genealogical Society

New Zealand Society of Genealogists

Volunteers

The Society operates with the assistance of a large team of volunteers in the library, administration and indexing areas. Please ask at reception for more information if you would like to help.

Internet

The Society has a website at www.gsv.org.au which provides details about the Society, our services, our secure online shop, education program and access to the online library catalogue enabling you to prepare your research before leaving home.

From the website you can join the GSV-L mailing list for discussion and exchange of information and ideas about family history research. The list also provides a forum for discussion of GSV issues.

Also available are our monthly newsletters, ‘What’s Going On’ and ‘Bookshop Bulletin’. These are emailed as a PDF file.