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University of Plymouth Library Terms of use

Any person (“User”) becoming a member of, and/or using the services or facilities provided by, the Charles Seale-Hayne Library (Library and Digital Support) (the “University Library”) is bound by the following terms of use (“TOU”). The purpose of these TOU is to protect the interests of all Users and to enable the University Library to provide an efficient service.

1. General

(a) Admission to, and use of the University Library and its services and facilities are conditional upon compliance in full with these TOU. Users are required to comply with these TOU and any other relevant terms and conditions of use brought to their attention (for example, without limitation, in respect of computer use, fire and health and safety regulations)

(b) These TOU are displayed within the library and on the Library website. If any user requires assistance in reading or understanding these TOU, please ask a member of the University Library staff.

(c) University Library staff are empowered to enforce these TOU and all Users are required to co-operate in their implementation. Membership of the University Library and/or the use of any University Library services or facilities may be suspended for such period as shall be specified or withdrawn by the Head of Library and Digital Support or other University Library staff from anyone in breach of these TOU or otherwise abusing any of the University Library’s services or facilities (at the absolute discretion of the Head of Library and Digital Support or other University Staff member). Breach of these TOU may constitute a disciplinary offence under the University’s disciplinary procedures. University rules and regulations can be found on the University regulations website, here.

2. Admission

(a) Subject to Rule 2(b) and (f):

(i) All duly registered students of the University are entitled to become members of the University library.

(ii) All staff of the University are entitled to become members of the library.

(iii) Associate members of the University with University cards may also be granted free Associate membership of the Library. 

Associate membership will normally involve the payment of a fee although free Associate membership may be granted to eligible members of the SCONUL Access scheme

(b) To become a member of the University Library in accordance with Rule 2(a), each person must be registered as such in accordance with the University Library’s registration procedures in force from time to time, whereupon he or she will be issued with a University Associates with cards or Library Associates with cards (paid and unpaid) and will become a “User” for the purposes of these TOU. The University card or Library membership card is solely for the User to whom it is issued and is not transferable. Each User is responsible for their own card and shall notify a member of the University Library’s staff immediately in the event:

(i) that a card is lost, defaced or destroyed; or

(ii) of any change in address or personal circumstances which affect or might affect their membership or use of the University Library; or

(iii) that they wish to cancel their membership of the University Library.

The User will remain responsible for any items borrowed on their card until he or she reports the loss of that card or his or her card is returned to the University Library for cancellation.

(c) Subject to Rule 2(f), members of the public may be admitted to the University Library subject to their signing the University Library’s visitors’ register and producing proof of identity on each visit and promptly upon request by University Library staff. Unless otherwise agreed with the University Library, the use by members of the public of University Library materials is limited to reference purposes only. This normally excludes the use of electronic sources. While attending the University Library, a member of the public will be treated as a “User” for the purposes of these TOU.

(d) Anyone under 18 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times while attending the University Library.

(e) A valid University card is required to gain entry to the University Library during the period between 18:00 hrs – 08:00 hrs on any day during term-time and between 18.00 - 08.00 during the vacation.

(f) Any use and membership of the University Library is conditional upon compliance in full with these TOU in accordance with Rule 1(a).

3. General Conduct

(a) All users of the facilities must behave responsibly and should not knowingly cause annoyance, inconvenience, offence, disruption or nuisance to others.

(b) Silence is required in certain areas as designated on the floor plans available on the Library website. The use of mobile phones or personal music players or the audible use of computer or other electronic equipment is not allowed in these areas.

(c) The consumption of food and drink is not generally permitted in the University Library (including in Computing areas or near electronic equipment) although it may be permitted in areas duly designated by University Library staff.

(d) With the exception of study rooms or computer equipment duly designated by University Library staff and for which there is an official booking system, study places may not normally be reserved by Users in the University Library. With regard to study rooms or computer equipment for which booking is permitted, Users must vacate such study rooms or equipment and remove any personal property at the end of the relevant booking period. Any such items left unattended may be removed and the University Library assumes no liability in respect of them.

(e) Users may be requested to present for inspection any briefcase, bag or similar item brought into the University Library and University Library staff shall be entitled to full access to any such item and their contents for the purposes of such inspection.

(f) Users shall produce proof of identification (in the form of their University card or library membership card) promptly upon request by University Library staff.

(g) The marking, defacing, damage, misuse or loss of any books, materials, furniture and equipment of the University Library is not permitted. The relevant User will be held responsible for, and will be required to make good, any such damage or loss promptly upon demand.

(h) Smoking (including the use of e-cigarettes) is not permitted within the University Library or outside its building near the entrances/exits of Levels 0 or 1 of that building.

4. Borrowing Library Material

(a) Books and other items may be borrowed and removed from the University Library by a User free of charge, subject to and in accordance with the University Library’s borrowing procedures in force from time to time or the instructions of University Library staff. Books and other items designated as for reference use only may not be borrowed or removed from the University Library unless the Head of Library and Digital Support (or another duly authorised member of the University Library staff) expressly permits the loan of any such reference material

(b) Each User shall produce his or her University card or library membership card whenever an item is borrowed.

(c) Each User is permitted to borrow at any one time such number of items as shall not exceed the limit duly specified by the University Library from time to time (which limit may be subject to variation and annual review by the University Library).

(d) The University Library operates two loan periods in respect of items available for loan:

(i) Subject to paragraph (ii) below, items can normally be borrowed for up to 6 weeks.

ii) In the event that an item on loan is required by another User, a recall notice shall be issued and the User borrowing such item is required to return the recalled item within 7 days of the date of that notice.

Specified equipment may also be available for loan on a free basis and the loan periods for such equipment and any other loan terms shall be as duly specified by University Library staff.

Items must be correctly returned by the end of the designated loan period or by the earlier date specified on a recall notice. Items can be renewed unless they are requested by another service user. Users are asked to return loans within 7 days on request.

(e) Items must be duly returned to the University Library on or before midnight on the final day of the relevant loan period set out in Rule 4(d)(i) or (ii). The loan period for items referred to in Rule 4(d)(i) can be renewed unless they are requested by another User in accordance with Rule 4(d)(ii).

5. Overdue Return or Loss of Library Material

Each user is responsible for the safekeeping and return of all items borrowed on his her card during the period of their loan. In the event that any such item is lost, stolen or damaged during this loan period or otherwise not returned at the expiry thereof, the relevant user shall notify a member of the University Library’s staff immediately. That User will be fully responsible for, and will be required to make good, repair, replace or reimburse the University Library for the full replacement cost of any such item (or the series to which the item belongs) in the amount specified by the University Library. The University Library reserves the right to charge delivery costs and/or an administration fee

(a) In the event that any item borrowed on his or her card is not returned at the end of the period of loan of such item in accordance with Rule 4(e), the relevant User:

(i) will be subject to fines or other sanctions at the rates then in force (subject as amended from time to time), the current rates being set out here.

(ii) may be subject to additional charges for retaining an item duly recalled pursuant to Rule 4(d)(ii) more than 7 days after the date of the relevant recall notice at the rates displayed in the University Library and in electronic format from time to time.

(b) In the event that any item borrowed on his or her card is not returned within 6 weeks after the end of the period of loan of such item (or such other period as the University Library may specify from time to time for such purpose) [or after three reminder notices have been issued to the User], that item shall be deemed to have been lost in which case the provisions of Rule 5(a) shall apply.

(c) In the event that any outstanding sums under Rule 5(a) and the amount of outstanding fines, charges or other sanctions within Rule 5(b) reaches or exceeds a limit specified by the University Library from time to time for such purpose or that any such amount, fine, charge or sanction remains overdue (in whole or part) for 6 weeks after the end of the period of loan of the relevant item (or such other period as the University Library may specify from time to time for such purpose), that User may have their membership of the University Library suspended or terminated by the University Library (at the discretion of the Head of Library and Digital Support or any other duly authorised member of the University Library staff).

6. Communications

The University will send any notices relating to the use of its books, materials, equipment, services or facilities (including any recall notices issued under Rule 4(d)(ii) or any notices of any changes in the services provided by the University Library) to Users at their e-mail addresses registered with Plymouth University. All Users are expected to read and act as appropriate upon any such notice sent by the University Library.

7. Copyright

In their use of any items or other material borrowed from or used in the University Library, all Users shall comply with:

(a) the law of copyright; in particular but without limitation, no User may copy, scan, transmit or store electronically any original or copy documents, materials or other items (in whatever format) received from the University Library unless the User has the permission of the copyright owner or any other authorised licensing body or except as permitted by statute;

(b) the terms of any licences Plymouth University may hold relating to such material (which may be obtained by request. Email: copyright@plymouth.ac.uk; and

(c) Plymouth University's copyright policy (available here)

8. Exclusion of Liability

The University will send any notices relating to the use of its books, materials, equipment, services or facilities (including any recall notices issued under Rule 4(d)(ii) or any notices of any changes in the services provided by the University Library) to Users at their e-mail addresses registered with Plymouth University. All Users are expected to read and act as appropriate upon any such notice sent by the University Library.