About Libraries, Museums and Galleries: Library Regulations

1. In these Regulations the term “Item” is deemed to cover all types of library material (e.g. books, journals, electronic resources, laptops and other equipment). ‘Library’ refers to all or part of the buildings that make up the University Library service or any space managed by the Library.
2. University membership cards which include membership of the University Library are not transferable and the card holder is responsible for all items borrowed against that card.
3. All persons must carry their University membership card which should be used to gain admission to the Library. The card must be shown to a member of staff if requested.
4. Briefcases, cases and bags may be brought into the Library, on the understanding that the owners are willing to open them for inspection if requested to do so on leaving.
5. Personal property brought into the library is at the owners own risk and they must assume responsibility for its security at all times.
6. To ensure a safe and secure environment children under the age of 16 must be accompanied and under the continuous supervision of a responsible adult. Children are not permitted into study areas.
7. The University Librarian, Deputy Director and Associate Director are empowered, in special circumstances, to suspend or alter the operation of any of these Regulations, subject to consultation with the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education, and subject to relevant reporting to the appropriate University Committee.

Conduct affecting the proper use and enjoyment of the Library by others is a disciplinary offence. Users must act with courtesy and consideration for other users and staff at all times. Excessive noise is not acceptable in the library and inappropriate, aggressive or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

Infringement of these regulations may result in an individual being asked to leave the premises, loss of borrowing and access rights or a fine. In the event of an infringement of a serious nature the relevant formal University disciplinary procedures will be invoked. The University Librarian is empowered to withdraw or restore privileges, to impose appropriate restrictions, or invoke formal disciplinary procedures.

If a disciplinary offence is committed by a person who is not subject to the University’s Ordinance on Discipline, the Librarian can suspend the offender’s right to use the Library and may take disciplinary and or legal action if appropriate. In particular it will be a disciplinary offence:

1. To wilfully attempt to remove a book from the library without carrying out the proper borrowing procedure.
2. To wilfully damage a book in any way, including marking or annotating it or interfering with evidence of the University’s ownership.
3. To fail to comply with the specific zoning restrictions on parts of the library building, in terms of maintaining a quiet or silent environment.
4. To sleep anywhere in the library.
5. To bring in or consume hot food in the library (Cold food and hot and cold drinks with secure lids may be brought into the library).
6. To bring or consume alcohol in the Library.
7. To bring animals into the Library except for Guide dogs and assistance dogs.
8. To fail to leave the Library premises promptly when closing, in an emergency or statutory fire drill, or when requested to do so.
9. To smoke (including e-cigarettes) or use matches or lighters in any part of the Library premises.
10. To infringe, by the use of Library facilities or materials, copyright legislation or the terms of any copyright licensing agreement entered into by the University.

The University Library website has criteria for membership of the University Library.

For full details see our borrowing entitlements.

1. All items may be borrowed except the following:
   • Books marked as not to be removed from the Library
   • Books and other items in Special Collections and Archives
   • Liverpool University Theses, if access has been restricted
   • Library laptops which are only for use in the Library
2. Library users must comply with the terms and conditions of use of all electronic resources.
3. Library users may not give Library books to others whether borrowers or not.
4. Library users are responsible for any arrangements they make to return books through third parties.

Library staff are empowered to impose fines on borrowers who fail to return books on or before the date set, in response to a recall notice. See our current Fines Policy and scale of fines.

Borrowers are responsible for the care of books loaned to them and may be asked to pay the cost of repair or replacement, in whole or in part, of books which are damaged or lost while on loan. Accidental damage to books in transit is within the scope of this Regulation.

For as long as a borrower remains in possession of a recalled book or fails to pay a fine or penalty, the right of the borrower to enter or use the Library may be suspended. All disciplinary penalties and other fines imposed on students are regarded as debts to the University.

Under the University’s Rules Regulating the Payment of Fees by Students such debts will be referred to the Student Fees and Funding Office who may implement formal procedures to recover the debt.