Library & Learning Resources, Rules and Regulations

Students in the library

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Library and Learning Resources - User Regulations

Use of Library and Learning Resources at Birmingham City University is subject to the following set of regulations, as agreed by the Library and Learning Resources 'Senior Leadership Team'.

List of contents:

The Regulations
Access to Library Facilities
Conduct in the Library
Library User's Personal Property
Registration
Borrowing
Special Categories of Material
Inter-Library Loans
Care of Books and Library Materials
Copyright
Library Closing
Emergency Procedures
External Library Members

1. The Regulations

The regulations aim to ensure that users can make the best use of Birmingham City University's library resources and to ensure fairness.

2. Access to Library Facilities

2.1 Library card

2.1.1 Your University ID card is the key to accessing library services. For BCU staff and students, your library card is your BCU ID card.

It is your personal property and responsibility. You should not allow any other person to use your card. You will be held responsible for all items borrowed with your card even if they were borrowed by or on behalf of another user.

If your card is lost or stolen you should inform Library and Learning Resources immediately. You will be held responsible for material borrowed on the card until Library and Learning Resources is informed officially.

Whilst on BCU campuses you must carry your BCU University ID card with you at all times and be prepared to show it on request. Services may not be provided without it.

2.1.2 Acceptable alternatives must include:

One form of ID with photograph.
Two official proofs of name with at least one of these providing proof of address.

2.1.3 External library members will be issued with a library card on their first visit to the library. Access to the BCU campuses will only be permitted with a BCU library card. A replacement charge will be made for lost cards.

2.2 Access to Reference and Borrowing facilities

2.2.1 All current members of the University may use the libraries for reference and study.
Optional space bookings are in place and Curzon and Mary Seacole Libraries. Visit https://libcal.bcu.ac.uk to access the booking system.

2.2.2 All current members of the University, whether staff or students, full or part-time, are entitled to reserve and borrow from the libraries.

2.2.3 Borrowing rights for all members may be suspended if borrowed items are not returned by the requested due date, or are damaged or defaced.

2.2.4 Borrowing rights for members of other UK universities, are granted only through the SCONUL Access Scheme.

2.2.5 Alumni access is available.

2.2.6 All membership schemes for Non-BCU members are at the discretion of Library and Learning Resources, who reserve the right to withdraw membership without notice.

2.3 Electronic Information Services

2.3.1 The Library Search platform is available without restriction. Only current members of the University have access to our subscribed and purchased electronic resource.

3. Conduct in the Library

3.1 To keep our students and staff safe in our Libraries we are following University policies outlined in the student contract. You must adhere to instructions, notices, guidance and respect other users at all times.

3.2 Library and Security staff have authority to maintain good order in the library. If you behave in an unacceptable manner, or infringe the regulations, Library Management may suspend you from its use.

3.3 You are expected to behave professionally and to treat the library environment, the library staff and other users with respect and courtesy. Should any incident be reported, Library and Learning Resources may pursue the matter under the University Student Disciplinary procedures.

3.4 You should be quiet in the library spaces, and silent in the silent areas. Noise zones include Library Study Rooms. Library study rooms are not sound proofed.

3.5 You are not permitted to smoke or vape in the Libraries. The University's 'Smoke Free
Arrangements' cover all types of burnt and smoked products including cigarettes, tobacco, e-cigarettes and non-tobacco cigarette products.

3.6 Only drinks in sealed containers may be consumed in the libraries. Food is not permitted in library spaces. All rubbish must be placed in the bins provided.

3.7 You should switch your mobile phones to silent at all times. Holding a phone conversation in a designated silent study area is not permitted in the libraries.

3.8 Behaviour and conduct incidents involving external library members may result in external membership being withdrawn without notice.

4. Library User's Personal Property

4.1 Neither Library and Learning Resources nor the University accepts responsibility for the loss of any personal property left in the libraries.

4.2 You may not leave property on chairs and tables to reserve a place in your absence. Any such property may be removed by university staff to make room for other Library users.

5. Registration

5.1 Students should have access to their library account as soon as they are in receipt of their University ID card.

5.2 University staff will automatically register when they are issued with a University ID card.

5.3 BCU Associates, including visiting teaching staff, will be required to apply for library membership and produce evidence of their post with the University.

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6. Borrowing

6.1 Borrowing entitlement

6.1.1 BCU Staff and students may normally borrow up to 20 Standard / Normal items at any one time.

6.1.2 External library members, whose membership type includes borrowing rights, may borrow up to 4 items at one time.

6.2 Recording of loans

6.2.1 All material borrowed from a BCU University library must be issued and returned via the self-service machines, Library book boxes on campus, or posted to Curzon Library or by a member of Library staff. Receipts, where given, should be retained.

6.2.2 It is an offence to vandalise or deface any library items. It is an offence to remove library material that has not been issued officially. The following actions may be taken:

Proceedings under the University Student Disciplinary procedures.
Prosecution for criminal damage to property.
Charging for damage caused to library items and materials.
For external members, membership will be revoked.

6.2.3 Items you borrow will renew automatically unless someone else has reserved them. Items excluded from this include Inter-Library Loans obtained from other libraries and Vocal and Orchestral Sets; you must return or renew material on or before the date due for return to avoid penalties accruing on these items.

6.2.4 It is your responsibility to make certain that material borrowed is returned to the Library.

6.3 Period of loan

6.3.1 Loan period information is available on the library website.

6.3.2 Penalties may be incurred if items reserved by another borrower are not returned by the given due date. These may include suspension of borrowing rights, fines and charges for lost items.

6.3.3 Library materials on loan may be automatically renewed provided the item is not overdue and that it has not been reserved by another library user.

6.4 Overdue books

6.4.1 If you retain overdue items or lose an item you will be invoiced by the University for the cost of replacing the item.

6.4.2 Library borrowing rights may be withdrawn in certain circumstances, for example, when you have incurred fines on reserved items. If you have lost your borrowing rights, you will be unable to borrow library materials until you return overdue items.

6.4.3 It is a condition of enrolment and re-enrolment that you accept full responsibility for the payment of all fees you incur while registered as a student at the University including Library fees and services. By signing your enrolment form you indicated that you accepted this responsibility and agreed to be bound by the University’s regulations.

7. Special Categories of Material

7.1 Reference materials including print journals cannot be removed from the library spaces.

8. Inter-Library Loans

8.1 In addition to the general rules governing the loan of library materials, items borrowed from other libraries may also be subject to special conditions imposed by the library which owns them.

8.2 You may also be charged for the renewal of inter library loan items.

9. Care of Books and Library Materials

9.1 You are responsible for all library materials taken out on your library account. Annotation and marking of library materials is prohibited.

9.2 You should report the loss or damage to material at once to BCU library services, and you may be asked to pay for the replacement or repair of the item.

9.3 In no event will Library and Learning Resources be liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential damages which arise out of the use of or inability to use software accompanying books.

9.4 If part of a set of items is lost or damaged, the replacement cost of the whole set may be charged.

9.5 Where overdue and lost items have been invoiced by the University, Library and Learning Resources may accept a like-for-like copy with no damage, annotations, highlighting or library markings, entirely at the discretion of the library.

10. Copyright

10.1 You should ensure that any copying of material done on Library photocopiers is carried out in compliance with current Copyright Acts, the terms of which are outlined alongside all photocopying machines. Users of electronic services should ensure that any material obtained is required solely for their own use for non-commercial research or private study, and they will not supply a copy to any other person.

See our copyright guidance.

10.2 Under the EU directive on Copyright any copying for commercial research purposes has been removed from the so called "exceptions to copyright". If you require a copy for research for commercial purposes, you must pay a copyright royalty as well as pay the cost of making a copy.

11. Library Closing

Library and Learning Resources reserves the right to close libraries at times other than those published, and without prior notice, for example, in periods of adverse weather conditions, emergencies or other external factors beyond the University’s control.

12. Emergency Procedures

Birmingham City University has established procedures to deal with emergencies. For your own safety and the safety of other clients, you must obey instructions issued by Library and Learning Resources staff either face to face or via the public address system.

If the building fire or evacuation alarms are activated, or if requested to exit an area by BCU Security, you must leave the building.

Library and Learning Resources expect all our users to behave responsibly and immediately exit the building / area. If these policies and guidelines are not adhered to BCU reserve the right to permanently withdraw access to our buildings.

13. External Library Members

External library membership types include Alumni, SCONUL Access member, Royal College of Organists, and Fee Exempt. External library members use of Library and Learning Resources at Birmingham City University are subject to the following additional regulations.

13.1 External library members may be granted access to use the library by completing the relevant BCU library membership application form. This access is at the discretion of Library and Security staff and may be denied, revoked, or suspended at any time.

13.2 On each visit, all external library members must report to the building reception desk and present their BCU library membership card. Additional ID must be presented if requested.

13.3 External Library members must remain in library spaces only. Transit through buildings to library spaces or toilet facilities is permitted. Use of other parts of buildings will result in a withdrawal of membership.