Drill Hall Library Rules and Regulations

1 Terms used in these regulations

1.1 The Universities at Medway (UaM) is a ‘branding’ concept – it is not a separate legal entity. The Drill Hall provides facilities and services for the partner institutions (University of Greenwich and University of Kent) and other contributing institutions (currently Canterbury Christ Church University and Mid Kent College). These regulations apply specifically to use of the Drill Hall.

1.2 ‘University staff’ means members of staff employed by any of the partner institutions at the UaM.

1.3 ‘Student’ means anyone registered for part or all of a course based at the UaM.

1.4 ‘User’ means any person using the library, its facilities, services or stock.

1.5 ‘Borrower’ means any person who is registered to borrow items from the Drill Hall.

1.6 ‘Facilities’ includes access to materials, staff time, services, furnishings and study space provided for users.

1.7 ‘Items’ means any item of library stock, material or equipment that may be borrowed, including, but not limited to, books, periodicals, pamphlets, CDs/DVDs and computer media.

1.8 ‘Library card’ refers to the ID card issued by the relevant university or other institution for the purpose of allowing access to library facilities and services.

2 Library users

2.1 Library facilities, including borrowing rights, are available to all university staff and students based at the UaM who comply with these regulations. Library facilities, including limited borrowing rights, are available to staff and students from other Higher Education institutions within the terms of recognised reciprocal access schemes and to registered external borrowers on successful application and payment of an annual subscription as appropriate.

2.2 Library facilities are available on a reference basis to members of the public living or working in the Medway Council area, alumni, staff and students from other Higher Education institutions within the terms of recognised reciprocal access schemes, and other users at the discretion of the library manager.

Identification

2.3 Users must carry a valid library card, which will serve as a form of identification and a means of access to the building and its facilities.

2.4 Users not able to produce a valid library card will be denied access to the library.

2.5 The library card is strictly non-transferable and must only be used by the person named.

3 Borrowing

3.1 The library card may be used only by the person to whom it was issued and whose name appears on it.

3.2 Items may be removed from the library only after the appropriate borrowing procedure has been followed.

3.3 The borrower must have a valid library card to borrow any items. They must use the self-service facilities provided, ensuring that they follow the instructions for the correct use of these machines and carry the issued receipt as proof of borrowing. Assistance should be sought from a member of staff if required.

3.4 There are prescribed periods of loan for items not explicitly confined to the library and limits on the number of items allowed on loan to a borrower at any one time. Details of the current arrangements are available on the Drill Hall website.

3.5 Loan of items, other than inter-library loans, may be renewed if the item is not reserved by another borrower. Renewals may be made in person, using the self-service facilities or via the OPAC (online public access catalogue). Inter-library loans can only be renewed in person. For details of the current arrangements please see our inter-library loan web pages.

3.6 The borrower is at all times liable for any transactions on their library card and responsible for all materials that have been issued to them.

Restrictions on borrowing

3.7 Periodicals, or items designated as ‘reference’, may not be removed from the library, except with special permission of the library manager.

3.8 Items marked as study loan are issued for specific time periods. Some study loan items are restricted to use in the library.

3.9 Items borrowed must be returned by the due date and time, which is specified when the item is borrowed.

3.10 Books in the possession of any borrower may be recalled if required by another user.

3.11 The library manager may recall an item(s) at any time, if it is required for special purposes, and may withhold or restrict the circulation of any item.

Return of materials

3.12 As most information about users' library accounts (eg overdue, under due and recall notices) are distributed by email, it is the responsibility of users to regularly check their university email accounts. It is also the users' responsibility to notify the library of changes in address. The library cannot accept responsibility for fines incurred due to a failure to check emails or notification of a change of address.

3.13 Borrowers who, without good cause, fail to return an item or renew a loan when it is due, will become liable to a charge (‘fine’) at the rates prescribed until the item is returned to the library.

3.14 Failure to pay fines that exceed a set level will cause borrowing rights to be suspended until the fines are paid. For the current level please ask at the welcome desk.

3.15 Borrowers returning items must use the self-service facilities provided, ensuring that they follow the instructions for the correct use of these machines and carry the issued receipt as proof of return. Assistance should be sought from a member of staff if required.

3.16 Borrowers are responsible for all items on their library account and the return of those items to the library. Passing on an item to another borrower does not absolve the original borrower from responsibility for the return of the item.

3.17 Items returned to the library by post must be packaged in a padded envelope and returned by registered post or recorded delivery.

3.18 All items on loan must be returned and all outstanding fines paid when a user leaves the UaM. Failure to do so may delay the receipt of the borrower's award certificate.

3.19 Users who disregard requests to return overdue items will be invoiced for the replacement cost of the items.

4 Use of computer facilities

4.1 Library users are required to abide by the regulations for computer use issued by their home institution, which should be read and applied in conjunction with these rules and regulations.

• University of Greenwich
• University of Kent
• Canterbury Christ Church University

4.2 Home institution procedures will apply to library users in the case of computer misuse.

4.3 Public Access users are required to abide by the Universities at Medway PC and Internet Policy.

• In general, users must comply with all applicable UK legislation, including, but not exclusively:
• The Computer Misuse Act (1990);
• The Data Protection Act (1984 and 1998);
• The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1998);
• The Obscene Publications Acts (1959, 1964);
• The Telecommunications Act (1984);
• The Race Relations Act (1976); and
• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (1976).

5 General rules

Behaviour

5.1 All users should conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to a study environment and with respect and consideration for other users.

5.2 Children (up to 16 years of age) may not be brought into the Drill Hall unless they are under the close and continuous supervision of their parent or guardian. Supervision is the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian and may not be delegated to another person. The parent or guardian must ensure that any children they bring into the library comply with the rules of conduct and do not disrupt the work of other users, endanger themselves or others, or damage library property or equipment.

Noise

5.3 The library is divided into zones to provide a range of study environments for users. Users must abide by the noise restrictions in the zone in which they are working.

• The Silent Zone: users must observe complete silence in this zone, which is designated for individual study only.
• The Quiet Zone: users may engage in short, quiet conversation in this zone, which is designated for working either individually or in twos or threes.
• The Group Zone: users may engage in normal conversation in this zone, which is designated for working in small groups.

5.4 Mobile telephones must be set to silent mode in the library. No calls may be made or received in the silent zone. Short calls may be made or received in the quiet and group zones. Users are required to use their mobile phones responsibly and quietly so as not to disturb others.

5.5 Any audio equipment, including library equipment, may only be listened to through headphones at a low volume and must not be audible to others.

5.6 Library staff reserve the right to ask a user to move if their behaviour is not appropriate for the zone in which they are studying.

Photography

5.7 Taking photographs and filming (including on mobile devices) is not permitted, except with the permission of the library manager.

Your safety and security

5.8 The UaM bears no responsibility for private property brought into the library. Articles left in the public area at closing time will be cleared away. The library accepts no responsibility for belongings left in the building.

5.9 A tannoy announcement will be made 10 minutes before closing time – all users must vacate the library by closing time. Users must stop using the facilities and leave the building promptly when asked to do so by staff, or when an emergency alarm sounds. Refusal to leave will be regarded as a serious breach of these regulations.

Loss of and damage to library property

5.10 Users may be required to show all library items to a member of staff in the foyer before leaving the library, and must make available for inspection by staff any other objects in their possession.

5.11 Library material, equipment and other property must not be marked or in any way defaced.

5.12 Users will be held responsible for, and will have to make good any loss of or damage to, library property on loan to them, or being used in the library.

5.13 Users will be held responsible for the improper removal of all or any part of an item or the mutilation or defacement of library materials or property.

5.14 Users may not bring into the library anything that, in the opinion of the library manager, could cause damage to library materials, equipment, furnishings, or that could cause disturbance to other users. Items may be left at reception for later collection. Such items found within the library may be confiscated, for return to the user on departure.

Smoking, eating and drinking

5.15 The consumption of food in the library is not permitted, except in the Archibald Hay Mess where cold food is allowed. Bottled drinks with secure tops are permitted. Any spillages must be reported to a member of staff.

5.16 Smoking is not permitted in any part of the library building or within five metres outside of the building.

Use of resources

5.17 Users are responsible for complying with copyright legislation - the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1988). Copies of the Copyright Licensing Agency's guidelines are displayed near each photocopier.

6 Sanctions

6.1 The library manager, or library staff so delegated, has the authority to impose sanctions on users who are in breach of the library rules and regulations.

6.2 All members of library staff have the authority to remind users of the library rules and regulations.

6.3 Users whose behaviour, in the opinion of library staff, is considered to be in breach of these rules and regulations will be asked to comply.

6.4 Users who ignore a staff request or regularly persist in breaking the rules, and those who it is considered have committed a serious breach of the rules (for example, but not exclusively, attempted theft of library materials and physical or verbal abuse) will be asked for their name and identification number. These details will be recorded and referred to the library manager and, if deemed appropriate, the user's Head of School for their attention and action.

6.5 The library manager, or library staff so delegated, has the authority to summarily withdraw access to the library facilities and/or withdraw library borrowing rights either on a temporary or permanent basis.

6.6 In serious cases, the user may be subject to the disciplinary procedures of their home institution. Contravention may also render the user liable to prosecution.

Details of the various disciplinary procedures are listed below.

• University of Greenwich:
  Code of Behaviour Policy for students February 2007
• University Of Kent:
  Regulations on student discipline in relation to non academic matters 2009
• University of Canterbury Christ Church:
  Student Disciplinary Procedures 2006

6.7 The library manager, or library staff so delegated, reserves the right to withdraw library membership from external users who infringe these regulations.

September 2010

Our Code of Conduct has been drawn up to help ensure that the Drill Hall Library is a pleasant and rewarding place to study. This Code must be read in conjunction with the rules and regulations.

Drill Hall Library Code of Conduct

Use of the Drill Hall Library computing facilities is governed by a series of Policies & Procedures that must be adhered to at all times. For details please visit the information relevant to your individual institution

• University of Greenwich — Policies & Procedures
• University of Kent — Policies & Procedures
• Canterbury Christ Church University — Policies & Procedures