Library Services Regulations

Introduction

These Regulations inform all Library users about the rules governing use of Library facilities and services. The Regulations are designed to ensure that all Library users have the fullest opportunity to make proper use of our many facilities and services. Ignorance of the Regulations may lead to inconvenience for other users and to fines and penalties for you, so please take the time to read them. The Library Service Standards show the standards of service which you have a right to expect from us. In return we ask you to follow these Regulations for the benefit of yourselves and other users.

The Regulations cannot cover every eventuality and we recognise that there are occasions where a strict interpretation of rules may not be justified. Please contact a member of Library staff as early as possible if there are potential difficulties and we will try to assist before problems arise. If you are dissatisfied with the application of any of these Regulations or your treatment by our staff, University staff, visitors and members of the public should refer to the Library’s complaint procedure.

Students should follow the University complaints procedure.

General

1.1 Full access to Library facilities and services is normally permitted to registered users only and is conditional on observance of the Regulations and associated guidelines in force at the time. These Regulations also apply to walk-in users, visitors and guests. The Regulations are from time-to-time updated to reflect changes in law and local experience. All users are fully bound by such changes. Major amendments are advertised via the AU weekly bulletin, which is emailed to all registered users, and via the AU Service Status webpage. All registered users are therefore presumed to know and agree to these Regulations and any associated guidelines and policies which are available via the University Web pages.

1.2 Throughout these Regulations the term Library means all or any of the library services of Aberystwyth University and buildings where such services are delivered. Use of facilities means use directly associated with the academic, administrative or business work of the University, or personal use by registered users. Throughout these Regulations the word University refers to Aberystwyth University.

1.3 Library staff are empowered to levy charges for specific services, as displayed within the Library and in general publicity.

1.4 The Director of Student Journey is authorised to suspend the Library privileges of any user and to impose fines or other appropriate penalties for breaches of the Regulations. The power to impose a fine or suspend facilities may be delegated by the Director to a member of Library staff. Any action taken by the Director under this Regulation may be reported to the appropriate authorities.

1.5 All users undertake to indemnify Aberystwyth University against all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands and costs (including any legal costs or expenses properly incurred and any compensation costs and disbursements paid by the University on the advice of their legal advisers to compromise or settle any claim) occasioned by the University in consequence of any breach of Library regulations or breach of national or international law which they commit.

Access to Library

2.1 Members of staff and registered students at the University, together with any others who have appropriate privileges as members of the University are entitled to the use of Library facilities. Students who have taken their final examinations cease to have full access. After graduation they may register as associate readers under regulation 2.3.

2.2 Graduates of the University may use the libraries for reference purposes. A fee will be charged for borrowing privileges (associate reader).

2.3 Staff and students of certain other institutions are entitled to use Library facilities in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the institution and the University. Such users agree to comply with the Library Regulations of Aberystwyth University.

2.4 Any use of Library facilities for commercial and social purposes must be authorised by the Director of Student Journey and a fee may be levied for such activity.

Conduct

3.1 Users must carry their Aber Card or other identification with them and must be prepared to show this to Library staff or other authorised University staff on request.

3.2 Any behaviour likely to disturb or inconvenience other users or be detrimental to the property of the Library is forbidden. Users of Library facilities must not behave in a manner likely to bring the University into disrepute, must not disrupt teaching, studying, examining, research or administration in the University nor should obstruct any member of the University in pursuit of their studies or the performance of their duties.

3.3 Users must not mark, deface, or damage books, journals, computers, printers or other property of is the Library. Users will be charged for replacement or repair for any such damage, to the satisfaction of the Director of Student Journey.

3.4 Users must not attempt to remove any property belonging to the Library except such as may have been properly issued to them under the borrowing regulations. All members of Library staff are authorised to inspect any books, bags or other goods in the possession of users entering or leaving Library premises. Library staff are entitled to routinely access library lockers made available to users, at all times and without notice to the user for the purposes of security, maintenance and repair, searching for unissued loan materials and all other purposes deemed necessary.

3.5 Smoking/vaping, hot food, alcoholic drinks and use of illegal substances are not permitted on Library premises. Users must abide by local regulations relating to the consumption of food and drink.

3.6 Study spaces and study rooms in Library premises must be left clean and tidy after use.

3.7 Animals (other than those providing assistance as defined by the University’s Animals on Campus policy) may not be brought into any Library premises.

3.8 The informal reservation of seats in any Library premises is not permitted. Books and other items left unattended for any length of time may be removed by staff.

3.9 The Library accepts no responsibility for personal belongings left anywhere in is the Library, including lockers, at any time.

3.10 Personal devices must be set to silent and there must be no audible sounds from headphones or audio devices in library premises.

3.11 Use of laptops and other mains powered computing equipment is allowed in Library premises if it is used in a safe manner and it does not cause an obstacle or hazard to other users. It is the responsibility of the owners of mains powered equipment to have it tested for electrical safety, and use is conditional on the owners’ acceptance of responsibility for damage to University property caused by their equipment.

3.12 Users must observe the law of copyright and the terms of any licenses for materials they use. Information about copyright and about the University’s licence agreements with the Copyright Licensing Agency and other organisations covering print, audio visual, electronic and other materials, is available on the University webpages.

3.13 All users must abide by the terms of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 or equivalent legislation in other jurisdictions where the University operates and have due regard to the guidelines provided on the University webpages.

3.14 Users must leave the libraries by closing time, immediately on hearing a fire alarm, or on the request of Library staff.

3.15 Users must immediately report any accident, theft or other such incident involving Library property to a member of Library staff.

3.16 Users must not film or take photographs in Library premises without prior permission from IS  and completion of the online Library Filming and Photographing permissions form.

3.17 The University uses email as an official form of communication with staff and students. Registered users must regularly check their Aberystwyth University email for such communications.

3.18 Users must treat other users and Library staff with respect and courtesy at all times.

Borrowing

4.1 Users may borrow materials up to the limits applicable to their status. These limits are determined by the Library and published on the Library website.

4.2 Users will be required to use their Aber Card to borrow materials, including equipment, from any Library.

4.3 Users must not attempt to remove materials from any Library which are not available for loan except as permitted by Library staff. Certain materials will be subject to restricted loan availability.

4.4 Users must return library loans by the date specified or upon demand. It is the responsibility of users to ensure that they are in a position to respond promptly to any request to return loans. The Library will send notices to the user’s University email address. External library users, such as Associate users, should inform the Library of any change of contact details for receipt of Library notices.

4.5 Users must not lend any book or other Library property issued to them to another person.

4.6 Any user who loses Library books or other property on loan will be required to bear the cost of a replacement. Should the item subsequently be found and returned to the library, the replacement cost will be refunded.

4.7 Any charges accrued by the user when returning library materials and equipment to the Library when not using the postal loan service, should be met by the user themselves. This may include import charges, even when using the postal loan service.

Penalties

5.1 For the breach of any Library Regulations which are not simultaneously covered by the wider University Rules, the penalties may be a warning, a fine, or suspension or withdrawal of the right to use Library facilities.

5.2 Compensation must be paid for damage to, or loss of, Library property.

5.3 In any case involving a breach of University Rules, penalties may be imposed as set out in appropriate University regulations.

Procedures for imposing penalties

6.1 In the case of penalties relating to loss of items fines may be levied by any authorised member of Library staff in accordance with the rates currently in force for different materials.

6.2 In the case of any other breach of Library Regulations the matter will be referred to the Director of Student Journey or their nominee for attention. The matter will be discussed between the user, who may be accompanied to the hearing, and the appropriate member of Library staff and if a case is proven a penalty will be determined in accordance with the severity of the offence.

6.3 Students are subject to the University’s Student Discipline Procedure. Staff are subject to the University’s Disciplinary Procedure.

6.4 In the case of any serious breach of University Rules the matter will be referred to the appropriate authority, although the Library will reserve the right to take further disciplinary action as appropriate.

Related Policies see https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/about/regulations/

These Regulations are maintained by the Library, were last reviewed in January 2026 and are due for review in January 2027