Library Rules
The Central Science Library is part of the University Library. Use of the Library is subject to the rules made by the Library Syndicate and the Science Libraries Sub-syndicate.
1. Except on the days when it is closed under Rule 2, the Library shall be open as follows:
Monday to Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (8.00 p.m. in full term);
Saturday, 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Any variations in these hours determined by the Science Libraries Sub-syndicate will be published and posted in the Library.
2. The Library shall be closed on the following days:
Sundays throughout the year; Christmas Eve and the following days up to and including the New Year public holiday;
Good Friday and the three following days;
the August Bank Holiday; one week in September as determined from time to time by the Science Libraries Sub-syndicate for the purpose of an annual inspection and the preparation of the Library and the lists of missing books.
3. Fifteen minutes before the time of closing, all library services shall cease and the entrance shall be secured. The building will be checked thereafter for final closure at the advertised time.
4. All persons admitted to use the Library shall register as readers.
5. The Library shall be open to the following:
(a) all members of the University and other persons, on the production of either a University card, which has been registered by the University Library, or a valid University Library or Medical Library Reader's card. Use of these cards shall be recorded when readers enter and leave the Library to provide statistical information on the use of the Library by different categories of user.
(b) all members of the Cambridge Philosophical Society on the production of appropriate evidence of academic standing and fitness for admission.
6. In addition to those qualified under Rule 5, the following persons may be granted admission to the Library but shall not be allowed to borrow:
(a) Any person over the age of 21 engaged in private study or research, if supported by appropriate evidence of academic standing and fitness for admission. Cards issued shall be valid for six months but may be renewed.
(b) Other persons over the age of 21 engaged in study or research connected with commerce or profit, if supported by appropriate recommendations concerning their suitability and fitness for admission. Cards issued shall be valid for six months but may be renewed.
(c) Undergraduates from other universities normally resident in Cambridge, if supported by appropriate recommendations, to be admitted during the vacations of this University.
(d) All students registered with local higher education institutions with whom the Library has an agreement relating to access.
7. Exceptionally other persons may be admitted at the discretion of the Librarian. All persons admitted to the Library who are not members of the University shall sign an undertaking to observe all the Regulations and Rules. Reader's Cards are not transferable.
8. For the issue of a Reader's Card under section (a) and (b) of Rule 6, there shall be an administrative charge of £10 made for Cards valid for up to six months. No charge is made for the single issue within any twelve month period of a Card valid for up to seven consecutive days, nor for the issue of a Reader's Card to a current member of the academic staff or registered research student of any other university funded by one of the higher education funding councils in the United Kingdom, nor for the issue of a Reader's Card to a member of the Friends of the Library. The whole or part of the administrative charge may be waived at the discretion of the Librarian. Temporary readers may be required to work in a particular area designated by the Librarian and shall comply with any special conditions laid down by the Sub-syndicate.
9. The Sub-syndicate reserves the right to cancel at any time, without assigning cause for the cancellation, any Reader's Card issued under Rule 6.
10. Young children may not be brought into the Library.
11. The Sub-syndicate may direct the exclusion, either indefinitely or for a specified period, of any person whose admission they consider prejudicial to the interests of the Library or its users.
12.
(a) Not more than ten items may be borrowed by persons eligible to borrow from the University Library, under Regulation 5 (Ordinances, p 615)
(b) The Science Libraries Sub-syndicate may in exceptional cases grant to other persons the privilege of borrowing under such conditions as they think fit;
(c) The Science Libraries Sub-syndicate may grant permission for more than ten items to be borrowed if they are of the opinion that sufficient reasons have been advanced.
13. Books of reference shall not be taken out of the Library, but certain books placed in reference classes may be borrowed at the discretion of the Librarian or a person appointed by the Librarian.
14. Periodical volumes are non borrowable under rule 12 but not more than five bound items may be borrowed overnight by readers with borrowing rights.
15. Unbound works or parts of works awaiting binding may not be borrowed except by the special permission of the Librarian or a person appointed by him, but may be consulted in a Library reading room.
16. Any item borrowed under Rule 12 shall be returned not later than the twenty-eighth (or fourteenth for undergraduates) day after the date of borrowing, provided that the Sub-syndicate shall have power to demand its return earlier. Borrowers may request one renewal of the loan. At the end of the second loan period the items must be returned to the Library.
17. Any item borrowed under Rule 12 between the Monday and Friday of the last week of either Michaelmas or Lent Full Term may normally be retained until the first day of the following Full Term, but shall be subject to recall under Rule 19.
18. Every person who fails to return a loan in accordance with Rule 12 shall be liable for a fine of 25p for each day that elapses before the item has been returned or the Librarian notified that it has been lost. Every person who fails to return a loan in accordance with Rule 14 shall be liable for a fine of 50p for each day or part of day that elapses before the item has been returned.
19. Any reader who requires an item that has been borrowed by another person may give notice to the Librarian that he or she requires the book. The Librarian shall request the borrower to return the item to the Library by an amended due date. The borrower shall comply with this requirement or be liable to fines of 50p per day
20. No item borrowed may be taken or sent out of the British Isles or used for commercial purposes without the written permission of the Sub-syndicate.
21. The loan period of any item in particular demand may be restricted at the discretion of the Librarian.
22. No item printed before 1850 may be borrowed or photocopied except at the discretion of the Librarian.
23. All readers borrowing Library materials, ordering materials for use within the Library, or requesting other services shall be required to produce evidence of identity if requested to do so.
24. No person shall remove any item from the Library without following the borrowing procedures laid down by the Syndicate, on pain of paying a fine not exceeding £175. Any person who having borrowed an item is unable, without showing good reason, to return it, and any person who wilfully damages an item, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £175. The imposition of such fines shall be without prejudice to the University’s right to obtain, in addition, compensation for any loss or damage suffered by the University.
25. Personal details of borrowers of Library materials may not be disclosed to other readers, nor shall any person use the computerised facilities of the Library to obtain or process data except in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
26. Silence shall be maintained as far as possible on the 2nd floor areas of the Library. The 1st floor is not designated as a quiet area.
27. Readers may bring bags, files, folders, coats and the like into the Library subject to examination on exit.
28. Bottles of ink, correction fluid and other potentially damaging substances, cameras and personal copying machines shall not be taken into the Library.
29. Food and drink shall not be taken into the Library.
30. Smoking is not permitted in the Library.
31. The marking of any Library materials is forbidden.
32. The use of portable computers is permitted in the Library provided they are quiet in operation. Users of this equipment may be required to work in specified areas or to stop using a computer if it constitutes a distraction to other readers.
33. The use of equipment likely to disturb or distract other readers or to damage Library materials (e.g. digital scanners, radios, personal hi-fi equipment, or computers to perform any of the functions of such machines) is not permitted in the Library. Mobile phones are permitted but must be on "silent" when in use on the 2nd floor, including the landing area. Readers are permitted to talk on mobile phones on the 1st floor provided in doing so they are not disturbing anyone else.
34. The Library Syndicate shall have the power to impose a fine not exceeding £175 on any person who wilfully infringes any of these Rules. Any person from whom any fine is due that has been imposed under these Rules shall not be admitted to the Library nor allowed to borrow until such fine has been paid.
35. Use of the Library’s computers shall be only in accordance with the terms of the JANET Acceptable Use policy.
36. Readers are not permitted to go barefoot in the Library.
37. Library staff are empowered to stop any activity in the Library which they consider prejudicial to the safety, well being, or security of readers or Library staff or to the preservation of the collections.
Amendments
(Rule 18 addition of recall fine of 50p SLSS minute 01/13 November 2001)
(Rule 17 addition of fine rate of 50p for overnight loans SLSS minute 02/04 March 2002
(Rules 12 amended to permit up to 10 volumes to be borrowed SLSS minute 03/08 February 2003)
(Revised July 2004 to incorporate new name)
(Rule 17 amended with new fine rate of 25p SLSS minute 06/16 June 2006.)
(Revised June 2007 – i. Rule 16 amended with limit of one renewal. ii. New rule 17 inserted for vacation loans. Subsequent rules renumbered.)
(Rule 12a amended to allow 1st and 2nd year undergraduates borrowing rights equal to that of 3rd and 4th year undergraduates. SLSS minute 10/04 approved LS minute 11/2)