Library regulations
Regulations for the Use of Senate House Library
Terms and conditions for the use of the Membership Card/Pcounter Account
Terms & Conditions regulating Carrel rental
Regulations for the use of Senate House Library
Senate House Library seeks to create and manage a scholarly environment that supports learning and research needs. In pursuit of these goals, Senate House Library expects that:
- Library users and staff treat each other with respect and consideration.
- Library users and staff respect private and University property.
- Library users comply with requests made by library staff.
- Library users act in a manner consistent with these guidelines and other library policies.
Access rights
Access to the Library is permitted to all registered users of the Library during opening hours. Library memberships are non-transferable and may only be used by the person named on the card.
The Library may limit or refuse access by individuals or groups whose behaviour fails to comply with these guidelines. In addition, the Library reserves the right to close during advertised opening hours should it become necessary.
All service points are closed and photocopiers turned off 15 minutes before Library closing time. Users are asked to ensure that they have completed any printing, photocopying, membership enquiries, borrowing, renewing, or other library business by this time.
All children entering the Library must be accompanied by an adult.
Use of library materials
All library books available for loan must be issued before you may take them out of the Library. You must have a current Library card whenever you are borrowing.
Items on loan should be returned or renewed by the due date. It is your responsibility to be aware of the due date(s) of any items borrowed and to maintain current address and email account details with us at all times. Whilst we will make every effort to contact you, we cannot confirm or guarantee delivery of notices. Notices are a courtesy and non-receipt does not exempt you from overdue fines or charges.
Items on loan may be recalled at any time if required for the use of other users.
You are responsible for the safety and condition of any items used for reference or borrowed from the Library. Users must not mark Library's books or periodicals in any way. Defacement of books or periodicals includes the use of pencils, pens, highlighters or attaching Post-it type notes to pages. Repair or replacement costs (plus an administration fee) will be charged for lost, stolen, or damaged items. We reserve the right to exclude users who deface items.
You may only copy material in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright legislation currently in force and the preservation policy of the Library. Users are responsible for the consequence of any breach of copyright. Guidelines on Copyright are displayed beside all photocopying machines in the Library.
Fines
The fine for overdue books is 30p per day per item. Fines come into effect immediately the item becomes overdue.
If another user reserves a book that is on loan the item will not be renewed. Although correspondence will usually be sent out, it is the user’s responsibility to check that none of their loans has been requested.
Books overdue for more than 34 days will be billed for loss at £50.00 per book. When the book is returned this amount will be reduced to the maximum fine of £10.20 per book.
It is the responsibility of all users to return books to the library on time. Failure to receive a courtesy email or reminder letter is not deemed an acceptable reason for being exempted from paying a fine. It is the responsibility of all users to check that books renewed by staff (in person, by phone or email) have indeed been renewed. In special circumstances we may accept, at our discretion, a hospital letter or doctor’s letter (original documents not photocopies) as evidence that a user was unable to return books on time.
Conduct
You are expected to show consideration for others and should refrain from behaviours that disturb the legitimate activities of other library users or staff. Hostile or rude behaviour, whether verbal or physical, and other inappropriate public behaviour, including smoking is not permitted in the Library.
No food or drink, including water, may be consumed in the Special Collections Reading Room in the Goldsmiths' Library, on the fourth floor, Senate House Library. This is in the interests of preserving early printed books, archives and manuscripts for future consultation.
Potentially harmful or inappropriate use of resources such as books, periodicals, seating space, or computers is prohibited. Inappropriate use of computing resources includes: tampering with equipment, excessive recreational use (eg games) or viewing websites or images which that violate the JANET Acceptable Use Policy, the University Equal Opportunities Policy or Statement on harassment.
All mobiles must be set to silent mode and not used within the library apart from discreet texting. You may not consume food and drink in the Library. The exception to this is bottled water. Please keep the top on your bottle when not drinking, to prevent spillage.
Security
Whilst working in the Library, please make sure that you keep your personal possessions with you at all times. A security system is in operation at the exit gate from the Library to safeguard library property for use by everyone. You may also be asked to open books, folders and bags for inspection by a member of staff. Video cameras located around the Library provide extra security.
Guarantee of service
Senate House Library is committed to providing the highest possible levels of service to all of our users within the resources available to us. Your opinions on our services are always welcome and can be made known to us by placing them in the Comment/Suggestion Box located near the Circulation Desk or by emailing us via the feedback option from our website (www.shl.lon.ac.uk).
Data Protection Act
Applicants for Library membership must agree to the recording of personal details in the computerised circulation/borrower registration system which has been registered under the 1984 Data Protection Act. In accordance with the procedures laid down by the Data Protection Registrar, individuals may receive a copy of the data held concerning them on written application to the University Librarian and on payment of an appropriate fee.
Terms and conditions for the use of the Membership Card/Pcounter Account
Introduction and scope
The terms and conditions for the use of the Membership Card provide a clear framework for administration, issue and use of the card and apply to all users of Senate House Library. Initially the two main areas where this will be used are photocopying and printing.
Upon using their Membership Card a user will be deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions.
1. Use of the Membership Card
1.1 Users may use their Membership Card for the following services:
- to borrow items from Senate House Library
- to print and photocopy in University libraries, using pre-loaded credit;
- as an identification card
1.2 The card is not covered by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and these terms do not entitle students to any purpose other than stated in 1.1 above. The card is not a credit card and all use is limited to the amount of pre-loaded and standing credit on it and any other limits referred to in these terms and conditions.
1.3 There is no interest payable to users on the credit balance of the card and it does not amount to a deposit with the Library.
1.4 Users are solely responsible for the management of the credit balance on their card.
1.5 Users must carry their card at all times when in the Library and must produce the card at the reasonable request of a University official.
1.6 Users are only permitted 3 temporary tickets. On the fourth occasion users will have to pay £10 for a replacement card.
1.7 Should University of London members arrive at the library without their card, entrance will only be permitted on production of a valid college ID.
1.8 For security purposes a photograph will be taken and printed on the User's membership card at the point of registration.
2. Loss, theft or misuse of the Card
2.1 Users must take all reasonable precautions to prevent loss, theft or misuse of their card.
2.2 Users must never knowingly attempt to use their card in any device which has not been approved for the purpose of the card.
2.3 Users must not lend their card to anyone to allow them to gain unauthorised access to Library facilities.
2.4 If a card is lost, stolen or otherwise liable to be misused, students must co-operate and provide reasonable assistance to the Library, the police and any other persons the Library reasonably directs them to. If a user can produce a crime number in respect of a lost or stolen card then there will be no charge for a replacement.
2.5 Any losses incurred as a result of the card being lost, stolen or misused shall be borne solely by the cardholder. The Library shall bear no responsibility, financial or otherwise, except to the extent that it is proved to have acted negligently in respect of that loss.
2.6 Whenever a card is used, it shall be presumed that the transaction has been undertaken by the rightful owner in all circumstances.
2.7 In circumstances where a card has been lost, a replacement will be issued by the Library at a cost of £10 payable by the user.
3.0 Faulty or damaged cards
3.1 Users must take all reasonable precautions to ensure the card does not become damaged.
Unforeseeable events
4.0 Evidence
4.1 In the event of a dispute, the Library may rely fully on the data held on the card or associated account and related hardware as conclusive evidence of transaction history.
4.2 The University may also rely on any data on the card as conclusive evidence of the matters recorded in them and that the transactions described by them actually occurred.
5.0 Disclosure of information
5.1 The Library may share information held on the card and related hardware concerning users and their use of the card with appointed agents:
- to provide users with the service applied for; or
- to help resolve a complaint, for analysis and/or management information; or
- for purposes of fraud prevention, audit or debt collection; or other cardholders, but only where it is considered necessary for resolution of fraud or dispute, which will be done in accordance with the current data protection legislation.
6.0 Termination or suspension
6.1 Where it is considered that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, the Library may suspend or terminate the use of a card at any time without prior notice.
6.2 The Library reserves the right to withdraw all cards, suspend some or all of the services related to them or replace the cards with one or more alternatives at any time and without prior notice to users.
7.0 Card Issue
7.1 All Users will be issued with a card.
7.2 Any unused credits are non refundable or transferable.
8.0 Additional conditions
8.1 Nothing in these terms and conditions will confer on any third party any benefit under, or the right to enforce, any of these terms and conditions.
8.2 The Library may assign any of its rights and obligations under these terms and conditions to any other person or business, subject to such party continuing the obligations in these terms and conditions.
8.3 These terms and conditions will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts, and construed in accordance with the laws, of England and Wales.
Terms & Conditions regulating Carrel rental
- The Library reserves the right to terminate the occupancy of a carrel at any time.
- Carrels are allocated to a named individual and are not transferrable.
- Payment taken for carrel loans is non-refundable.
- The Library can accept no responsibility for theft and/or damage to personal property left in the carrels. It is your responsibility to lock the carrel when you are not in it.
- For health and safety reasons, users must not lock their carrel from the inside.
- Carrel occupants must pay for the period they require in advance. Thereafter they must continuously pay rental fees for the full length of the renewal period in advance.
- The maximum continuous occupancy for a carrel is three months at a time.
- Occupancy will be deemed to have expired if the applicant fails to apply for a renewal and the carrel will be made available to other eligible users.
- Any personal property left in a carrel after the end of the occupancy will be boxed up, retained in lost property for one month and then disposed of.
- Carrel keys should be returned to the Circulation Desk, 4th floor, Senate House on or before the final day of occupancy. Loss of a carrel key will result in a £20 replacement charge.
- Library staff reserve the right to inspect carrels on occasions, in order to ensure that reference books and periodicals are not being kept indefinitely within a carrel, thereby preventing other Library users from accessing materials.
- Mobile phones must not be used to make or receive phone calls inside carrels.
- Carrel occupants are not permitted to eat or drink in the carrel (with the exception of bottled water).
- Library books may not be left in the carrel (except those issued to the holder's card or to the carrel itself).
- Occupants are entitled to have up to 20 books issued to the carrel at any one time. These items must remain within the carrel while issued. Items are issued for 1 week, and can be renewed in accordance with the Library’s normal renewal. policy.
- During the occupancy of the carrel, the carrel holder is expected to keep the carrel reasonably neat and tidy. Carrel holders may leave their bins outside their carrel to be emptied by the cleaners (bins are normally emptied each morning before opening time). Carrels will be routinely cleaned on or around the 15th of every month.
- We are not able to accept cheques as payment for carrels.
