Library Regulations

1.  Membership requirements

Generally anyone who lives, works, or studies in the area can join the library.  Those who visit the area on a regular basis can also join.

Adults
Adults wishing to join the library are required to produce one formal document with their printed name and address dated within the last three months and one proof of signature.

Acceptable proof of address:
Rent book, bank/building society statement, pension/benefit book, utilities bill, tenancy agreement, council tax bill, letter from tax office, credit/store card statement

Driving licences are not deemed acceptable unless they are the new type of photo card and were issued within the last three months. However, they may be used for proof of signature.

Acceptable proof of signature:
Credit card, bank card, store loyalty card, driving licence, passport, signed giro cheque, signed credit agreement/contract.

Children
Children are required to have a parent/guardian/carer with them to sign the membership card as guarantor and show a document with their name and address.
If the parent/guardian/carer is unable to accompany the child, a membership form and card can be given to the child to be filled in and signed at home and returned with 2 proofs* of parent/guardian/carer’s name and address.
[*instead of proof of signature as they cannot be expected to allow such items out of their possession]

Young adults
Young adults (aged 15–17 who are not subject to parental supervision) can register individually if they are able to show official proof of address and signature.
Alternatively, they may use their parent/guardian/carer as their guarantor and to show proof of name address as long as the guarantor, on the applicant’s behalf, signs the membership card.

Teachers/Playgroup leaders 
Teachers/Playgroup leaders are required to show proof of their home address and an inspection certificate or registration document, or a DFEE card from the education authority for which they are working.

Short Term Residents 
Those in temporary accommodation are required to show a document confirming their temporary address.
Students are required to show a document from the education institute that they are attending together with confirmation of the address at which they are staying.
Au pairs are required to show a letter from the family they are working for which confirms that the au pair is living at their address.
Asylum seekers are required to show a document from the Home Office confirming their name and address.

2. Reader definitions

Children are deemed to be 0-14.  Fines are payable at the child rate for the late return of borrowed items.  Loan charges are payable on some audio/visual items. See charges leaflet.

Young Adults are teenagers aged 15-17.  Fines are payable at the concessionary rate for the late return of borrowed items and loan charges are payable on all audio/visual items. See charges leaflet.

Adults are 18 to 59.  Fines and charges are payable at the adult rate for the late return of all borrowed items (including children’s items).  Loan charges are payable on all audio/visual items.  See charges leaflet.

Pensioners are adults over 60.  Fines are charged at the concessionary rate for the late return of all borrowed items (including children’s items) and loan charges are payable on all audio/visual items.  See charges leaflet.

Short-term residents – anyone who is staying in the neighbourhood temporarily for at least a month, and is for example, in short-term accommodation, at a language school, working as an au pair etc.  Fines are payable at the adult rate for the late return of all borrowed items (including children’s items) and loan charges are payable on any audio/visual items borrowed under the temporary entitlement.  See charges leaflet.

Teachers/Playgroup leaders (group project loans) working in a local school or education organisation.  Fines will be charged at the adult daily rate for each item not returned on or before the due date.

3. Reader entitlements

Adults and Pensioners 
14 books, 8 audio sets (including 1 language set), 8 music CDs, 6 DVDs (including 2 overnight loans) and 4 console games.

Defaulter 
No items can be borrowed until all outstanding items are returned and any outstanding fines and replacement charges are paid.

Short- term residents
4 books, 1 DVD & 2 music CDs

Young adult  
14 books, 8 audio sets (including 1 language set), 4 DVDs (from the children’s library stock only), 8 music CDs & 4 console games.

Child 
10 books, 4 audio sets (including 1 language set) and 4 DVDs from the children’s library stock only, plus 4 console games.

Teachers/Playgroup leaders (group loans)
10 children’s books (2 only on any one subject) issued for 42 days (six weeks).

Note: Members with outstanding fines of £1 or more will not be eligible to borrow items with hire charges i.e. console games, audio sets, DVDs or CDs

4. Overdue procedure

Due to resource constraints we are limited in the range of reader services that we are able to provide.  As we are not obligated to send out overdue reminders, it is advisable to keep a close eye on the due dates of return for all items borrowed to avoid fines being incurred.

5. Lost or damaged items

Damaged items are defined as those which can no longer be used for the purpose of loan to other readers.

The full original cover price is payable for the replacement of lost or damaged library materials.  An official receipt is given at the time of payment after which no refunds can be given.  However, if a lost item is found after it has been paid for it may be kept by the borrower.
We ask everyone at the time of making such payments to sign a form as confirmation that they have been made aware of this.

6. Loan periods

Books & Tapes         3 weeks
Music CD                 2 weeks
Videos                    1 week & overnight
DVDs                      1 week & overnight

7. Renewals

Due to our single site and stand alone status, the following limits have been decided to enable equal access to the stock as far as possible.  Loan charges are payable on all audio/visual items when they are renewed. See charges leaflet.

Books and audio sets including Language sets
3 renewals

Note:  3 renewals allows a borrower 12 weeks in total (3 weeks + 3 renewals of 3 weeks)

Console games, Music CDs & DVDs (except Overnight loans)
1 renewal

School classes
None

Teachers group/project loans
None (issued for 6 weeks)

8. Use of membership cards

By signing your membership card you are agreeing to abide by the library regulations, to pay any charges for late return, to pay for any damage or loss of library materials borrowed on your membership and to notify us of any change of address.

To protect borrowers from having to pay fines and charges incurred by others, membership cards are for the sole use of the signatory only and use by another person is not permitted unless specified in writing by the card holder.

The replacement of lost membership cards will incur a fee. See charges.

Note: It is essential to hand returned items to the counter staff as all items remain the responsibility of the borrower until they are removed from the membership record.