Drill Hall Library Rules and Regulations

Code of Conduct

See also the Drill Hall Library Code of Conduct

1 Terms used in these regulations

1.1 The Universities at Medway is a "branding" concept - there is no separate legal entity called this. The Drill Hall Library 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 the use of the Drill Hall Library.

1.2 The term "University staff" means members of staff employed by any of the partner institutions at the Universities at Medway

1.3 The term "Student" means anyone registered for part or all of a course based at the Universities at Medway.

1.4 The term "user" means any person using the Library, its facilities, services or stock.

1.5 The term "Borrower" means any person who is registered to borrow items from the Library.

1.6 The term "facilities" includes access to materials, staff time, services, furnishings and space provided for users.

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

1.8 The term "Library Card" refers to the ID issued by the relevant University or other institution for the purpose of allowing access to Library facilities and services.

2 Library users

2.1 The facilities of the library, including borrowing rights, are available to all University staff and students based at the Universities of Medway who comply with these regulations.

The facilities of the library, 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 The facilities of the library are also 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 University 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 either 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 or hand their card and the items they wish to borrow to a member of staff at the library counter.

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 at the Library Counter and on the Drill Hall Library website at: http://campus.medway.ac.uk/library/index.php

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, via the OPAC (online public access catalogue) or by telephone but will not be accepted by email. Inter-Library loans can only be renewed in person. For details of the current arrangements please see the inter library loan web pages at http://campus.medway.ac.uk/library/services/inter.php

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 No periodicals or items designated as "reference" may be removed from the library except with special permission of the Library Manager.

3.8 Items borrowed from the Study Loan Collection are restricted to the Library and are issued for specific time periods. Further details are available at the Library Counter.

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, such as 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 have borrowing rights suspended until the fines are paid. For the current level, please ask at the Library Counter.

3.15 Borrowers returning items must either 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 or hand the items they wish to return to a member of staff at the library counter.

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 Universities at Medway. Failure to do so may delay the receipt of the borrowers 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 University 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 Library rules and regulations.

4.2 Home institution procedures will apply to university 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)
  • 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 (0-16 years) may not be brought into the Drill Hall Library 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 Library 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 Zone. 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 The taking of photographs and filming (including where this facility exists on mobile phones) is not permitted, except with the permission of the Library Manager.

Your safety and security

5.8 The Universities at Medway bears no responsibility for private property brought into the Library. Articles left in the public area at closing times will be cleared away. The Library accepts no responsibility for belongings left in the building.

5.9 A tannoy announcement will be made ten minutes before closing times, and all readers 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 and damage of 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 which, in the judgement of the Library Manager, could cause damage to Library materials, equipment, furnishings, or which 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 forbidden. 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 a 5m radius of the outside of the building.

Use of resources

5.17 Users are responsible for complying with copyright legislation, the Copyright Act (1988). Copies of the CLA 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 and 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 users 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:

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 2009