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The University Library

1. Introduction

1.1     The University of Bristol Library service with its headquarters in Tyndall Avenue comprises: the Arts and Social Sciences Library, the Medical Library, the Queen’s Building Library (containing the collections of Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science), the Wills Memorial Library (containing the collections of Law and Earth Sciences), the Education Library, the Worsley Chemical Library (School of Chemistry), the Maria Mercer Library (School of Physics), the Biological Sciences Library, the Geography Library (School of Geographical Sciences), the Veterinary Science Library and the Library Store at Brislington.

1.2     The Library service is available throughout the year. Opening times can be found at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/library/using/branches

1.3     The University Card acts as the Library Membership Card (as well as the identity card) for all students, members of staff and members of Council of the University. The University Card (or, for registered external users, the University of Bristol Library Membership Card) must be presented on request, whether to gain access to the Library, or to prove identity, or to borrow books in the Library. The University Card must not be given to, or used by, anyone else.

1.4     Throughout these regulations the term ‘book’ is deemed to include all types of material in physical format (e.g. printed books, printed journals, DVDs, etc.) provided by the libraries of the University.

2. Admission

2.1     Admission to membership of the Library is subject to individuals being and remaining in good standing and may be refused or suspended by the Director of Library Services subject to paragraph 5 below.

    2.1.1     The following categories of persons are entitled to all privileges, subject to registering as a member of the Library:

    a) members of the University Council;

    b) members of staff;

    c) enrolled students of the University.

    2.1.2.     The following categories of persons may  be granted a limited range of borrowing facilities, at the discretion of the Director of Library Services, subject to registering as a member of the Library:

    a) former members of the University of Bristol's staff who have at least 10 years of continuous service who have either: (i) reached the State pension age, or (ii) had no further employer;

    b) graduates of the University of Bristol and associate members of Convocation (on payment of a fee);

    c) members of staff and postgraduate students registered for research degrees at other universities and institutions of higher education in the UK (on payment of a fee, which may be waived for members of approved reciprocating institutions in the UK);

    d) designated representatives of certain institutions which have corporately been granted library privileges (a fee may be charged);

    e) members of groups for which special arrangements have been agreed (a fee may be charged);

    f ) such other persons as the Director of Library Services may consider eligible (a fee may be charged, but may be waived for members of approved library reciprocal borrowing schemes).

    2.1.3     The following categories of persons may be allowed to use the library facilities for reading and reference, subject to satisfactory registration:

    a) graduates of the University of Bristol and associate members of Convocation;

    b) members of staff and postgraduate students registered for research degrees at other universities and institutions of higher education in the UK on production of a document of certification from their institution;

    c) during University of Bristol vacations, other students of universities and institutions of higher education on production of a document of certification from their institution;

    d) such other persons or designated representatives of other approved institutions as the Director of Library Services may consider eligible(a fee may be charged, but may be waived for members of approved library reciprocal borrowing schemes).

2.2     Readers from outside the University may be subject to restrictions on the times when they may use the library services and facilities.

2.3     Readers wishing to use any library within the University are expected to acquaint themselves with and observe any particular regulations in force in that library.

3. Conduct

3.1     Users are required to carry proof of Library membership when in any of the University libraries, and to produce this on request by any member of library or security staff.

3.2     Conversation or any behaviour likely to disturb or inconvenience other users must be avoided in the reading and silent study areas. Speaking into mobile telephones is not permitted except in designated areas. Within the library telephones must be switched off or set to silent mode.

3.3     Eating and drinking are not permitted (except in designated areas, and elsewhere only water from bottles or a library water fountain).

3.4     Books, equipment and furniture must not be damaged or defaced in any way.

3.5     Loss of, or damage to, books must be reported immediately. The user responsible may be required to make good any such loss or damage.

3.6     Any member of staff is empowered to enforce the regulations.

3.7     Subject to paragraph 5 below, the Director of Library Services has power to restrict or suspend the library privileges of any user contravening these regulations.

3.8     Users are required to comply with the provisions of copyright law and with any restrictions imposed by manufacturers’ licences when using library material. The Library and its resources are to be used for the purpose of academic learning and research alone and not for other forms of commercial gain. 

3.9     Personal belongings may be brought into the Library at the discretion of the staff and at the user’s own risk. The Library cannot be held responsible for loss of, or damage to, personal property.

4. Borrowing

4.1     Books may normally be borrowed in accordance with the appropriate procedures laid down in each library; certain classes of books, however, are either confined permanently or available for restricted loan only.

4.2     No book may be borrowed until the appropriate borrowing procedure for that library has been followed. The Director of Library Services is authorised to impose a fine of not more than £30 in respect of any attempt to remove a book without following the appropriate borrowing procedure.

4.3     Users are responsible for all books borrowed in their name. Their responsibility is not transferable and ends only when the appropriate return procedure has been completed.

4.4     Books must be returned by the date or time due. Users are expected to check their online borrower record and University email frequently and respond to Library notices. Users who fail to return a book by the due date or time may incur a fine.

4.5     Users leaving the University must return all books on loan and pay all outstanding charges before the end of their course or before they leave. Subscribing users must return all their books before the period of their subscription expires. Users who fail to return their books will be charged for the cost of replacement. In the case of those graduating the books must be returned, or the cost of replacement paid, and all other outstanding charges paid, at least one week before the award of their degree.

5. Powers of the Director of Library Services

The Director of Library Services has discretionary power to restrict, suspend or refuse library membership, to refuse to lend, or to recall any book at any time. Suspension of membership of an enrolled student under these regulations is a temporary measure only and will be referred to the Vice-Chancellor as soon as possible for further consideration under the student disciplinary procedures.

Last updated November 2011.