Library Regulations
In these regulations the powers of the Librarian in relation to matriculated students are to be interpreted as subject to the limitations imposed by the University Code of Discipline. Otherwise these regulations apply equally to all members.
These regulations are effective from 1st August, 1977, and as subsequently amended.
1.Hours of Opening and Service
1.1 Hours
During term the normal hours of opening of the Main Library will be from 0900 till 2100 Monday to Thursday; and 0900 till 1700 Friday and Saturday. During vacation the Main Library will be open from 0900 till 1700. The latest time of admission to the library will be ten minutes before the stipulated closing time. The latest time for presenting books for issue or return will be twenty minutes before the stipulated closing time.
The hours of opening during term time of the Undergraduate Reading Room will be 0900 till 2200 Monday to Friday; 0900 till 1700 on Saturday and Sunday. During vacation this room will remain open staff levels permitting.
1.2 Variance
The Librarian (or Depute) has power to vary these hours in accordance with University requirements.
2. Membership
2.1 Membership
Membership of the Library is open to all members of staff and to all matriculated students of the University.
2.2 Staff members
Staff members of other universities may enjoy the rights of Library membership provided reciprocal privileges are available to staff of this University.
2.3 Other persons or corporate bodies
Other persons or corporate bodies may be eligible for membership on application to the Librarian and on payment of such statutory fee as may be determined by the Library Users' Committee.
2.4 All persons joining
All persons joining the Library do so on the express understanding that they grant the Librarian the right to store information relevant to their membership of the University in an electronic, or other, database. Any improper use of such information by any member of the Library may render that member subject to appropriate disciplinary action. It is also an offence for any members of the Library to obtain, or attempt to obtain, access to any part of the Library's database for which they are not authorised.
2.5 Loss of a library card
Loss of a library card must be reported immediately; to avoid unlawful borrowing a stop will be placed on the use of the card as soon as its loss is notified. A replacement card will be issued by the Student Records Office.
3. Loan Entitlements
3.1 Entitlement
Only members of the Library may obtain material on personal loan.
3.2 Members Loan Entitlement
The loan entitlement of members is as follows:
(a) Academic staff (including visiting professors), administrative staff and matriculated doctoral students may have on loan up to 25 items at one time. The loan entitlement for this category excludes additional entitlements to other collections (Short Loan etc).
(b) Postgraduate and Honours students may have on loan up to twelve items at any one time, and in addition the standard entitlements to other collections (Short Loan etc).
(c) Other students may have on loan up to ten items and in addition the standard entitlements to other collections (Short Loan etc).
(d) All other members may have on loan up to four items.
4. Borrowing
4.1 Borrowing
When borrowing items all members must present their membership cards. Nobody may borrow material from the Library other than on his/her own cards.
4.2 Loan Period
4.2.1 Loans of unbound periodicals
Loans of unbound periodicals issued for use outside the Library are for an initial period of seven days. A loan will be extended with re-presentation of the periodical for one further period of seven days, but it must be returned immediately if required by another borrower. Bound or unbound periodicals are not normally issued for use outside the Library at the Ayr Campus.
4.2.2 Books from the standard lending stoc
Books from the standard lending stock are issued for at least fourteen days; loans may be renewed, unless required by another borrower. All other lending material is issued for use according to its type and location, as determined by the Librarian.
4.3 Penalties
Penalties for Failure to Return Loans
4.3.1 Statutory Fines
A statutory fine, reviewed annually by the Library Users' Committee will be imposed on any member who fails to return a book by the due date. This fine will increase daily by an amount to be determined annually by the Library Users' Committee. Fines will be remitted if the member can prove their failure to return was occasioned by illness or some other accident.
4.3.2 Items not returned within one month
Items not returned within one month will be treated as lost, and cost-recovery procedures as intimated in the wording of the invoice letter will be initiated.
4.3.3 Persistent offenders
Persistent offenders may have their membership of the Library withdrawn. If they are students within this University they may also be prosecuted under the University Code of Discipline.
4.4 Works not Available for Loan
4.4.1 Short Loan Collection
Works removed from the open access shelves to the Short Loan Collection because of the probability of heavy demand are available for three hours at a time, except that the Librarian may issue them for home reading during such hours that the Library is closed. No-one may have on issue more than two Short Loan Collection books at one time. A statutory fine, as determined annually by the Library Users' Committee, will be imposed for the retention of a Short Loan Collection book beyond the authorised period. The Librarian has the power to introduce further restrictions on the use of particular items from the Short Loan Collection, enforced by the statutory fines if necessary, should heavy demand for these items warrant this. The Librarian may authorise any member of the Library staff to reclaim from the Library tables items from the Short Loan Collection left unattended for longer than fifteen minutes irrespective of how long it has been issued, and having cancelled the issue records may then issue the item to another Library user.
4.4.2 Reference and Restricted Works.
Certain categories of works may be restricted to the Library, and access to others may be restricted to comply with teaching, archival or conservation needs, or the contractual conditions of supply.
4.5 Summer Vacation Borrowing
4.5.1 Extended loan over the Summer
Students may borrow on extended loan over the Summer Vacation provided they produce a Vacation Period Library Permit (obtainable from the Library), signed by a member of the academic staff. All such material must be returned prior to the student being permitted to rejoin the Library at the start of the next session.
4.5.2 Staff Extended loan over the Summer
An extended loan over the summer vacation will automatically be arranged for staff members.
4.5.3 External borrowers
External borrowers are normally ineligible for extended loans.
4.6 Departmental Collections
Loans may be issued to Departments with the agreement of the Librarian. Normally at least one copy of such works will be available for loan or reference within the Library. These works are not liable for recall, but any member of the Library or other person approved by the Librarian shall have the right to consult them in the Department.
4.7 Unwarranted Removal of Library Material from the Library
4.7.1Security
Any member of the University staff may require any person to open any package, case, bag or receptacle in his/her possession if the security alarm is triggered, to establish that they have no Library material which has not been borrowed in accordance with the regulations. Should the alarm system be disabled the Library staff may ask to inspect any package, case, bag or other receptacle where they have reasonable grounds for suspicion.
4.7.2 It is an offence:
(1) to remove any material from the Library without it being formally issued.
(2) to leave the Library except by the authorised exit, save in case of emergency.
Penalties for breach of this regulation may include withdrawal of Library membership, withdrawal of access to the Library, or prosecution under the University Code of Discipline.
5. Loss and Damage
5.1 Damage
In their own interest members borrowing works should report any apparent damage to the Issue Assistant for record.
5.2 Loss
Loss of works should be reported to the Librarian at once, to facilitate replacement and forestall delay for other readers.
5.3 Fines
In case of either damage or loss a fine may be imposed by the Librarian on the member and borrowing facilities suspended until the fine is paid. The member may also be required to replace the lost or damaged work.
5.4 Reporting Statistics
The Librarian is required to give statistics of lost or damaged materials.
6. Conduct in the Library
6.1 Bags
Persons with cases, bags or parcels which are of unreasonable size may not be permitted access beyond the Issue Counter. Readers are cautioned at all times to keep their valuables on their persons and not to leave them lying unattended as the Library can accept no responsibility for them.
6.2 Comportment
Users of the Library must comport themselves in such a manner as will occasion the minimum of disturbance to other readers and avoid damage to stock and to furnishings and equipment. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Library, including in the toilets. Food and drink must not be consumed in the Library. In particular, strict silence must be observed at all times.
6.3 Sanctions
Failure to observe the provisions of Section 6 may result in caution, fine, withdrawal of access and withdrawal of membership.
7. Disease
When an infection or contagious disease occurs in a member's household, the member should consult a doctor before works are returned to the Library.
8. Electronic and Special Equipment
Rules for guidance of readers in using electronic equipment and other special facilities in the Library will be prepared by the Librarian. In using software or any electronic services supplied through the Library, users will respect all licensing agreements and any regulations or codes of conduct agreed by the Library as part of the service or product. The Library will supply on request copies of such regulations or codes of conduct and will highlight important regulations such as restrictions on copying. Beyond that, the Library makes available such services in good faith and will accept no further responsibility for misuse by Library users of such service.
9. Photocopies
All photocopies issued by or made in the Library are issued on the provision that the recipient or copier complies with the terms of the current legislation.
10 Additional Regulations
The Librarian shall have power to add to these regulations or to modify them at any time. Such additions or modifications, together with information on the circumstances surrounding their introduction, are to be promptly communicated to and agreed by the Library Users' Committee, and, if appropriate, by the Disciplinary Committee.
11. Absence of Librarian
In the absence of the Librarian such powers as s/he exercises under these regulations shall devolve upon the Depute Librarians, or in their their absence, the next Senior Librarian.
12. Penalties imposed upon members
Penalties imposed (other than for overdues) shall be reported to the Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee or the University Secretary as appropriate, and to the President of the Students' Association.
13. Appeals
Any member wishing to appeal against a penalty imposed by the Librarian (other than for overdues) may do so in writing to the Chairman of the Library Users' Committee.
April 1999