Library Regulations

The purpose of these Regulations is to enable all users of the Library to make the fullest use of the collections. Unless otherwise stated, the Regulations apply to all libraries administered by the University Librarian. In the Regulations, the word "book" means any book, pamphlet, periodical, manuscript, map, microform or other material in the custody of the Librarian. Modifications of these Regulations will be reported to Senate and will be incorporated into the University Calendar.

Users of the Library are reminded that Library Regulations have the force of University Regulations for discipline. Any penalties imposed for breaching the Regulations fall within the framework of the University's disciplinary system.

1. ADMISSION TO THE LIBRARY

(a) Admission as a Reader

The following have the right of admission as readers:
  1. members of the University as defined in Section 2 of the Statutes;

  2. members of the teaching, research, administrative, library, technical and clerical staff not included under 1(a)(i);

  3. members of staff as defined in 1(a) who have retired from service at the University;

  4. members of staff of organisations which have made special financial arrangements with the University explicitly for the delivery of Library Services.

Further information about admission as a reader is in Library Regulations Schedule 1: Admission to the University of Southampton Library as a Reader and as a Borrower, which is available on the Library website www.library.soton.ac.uk

(b) Admission as a Borrower

The following have the right of admission as borrowers:
  1. Members of Court and Council, members of the teaching, research, administrative, library, technical and senior clerical staff;

  2. students registered for internal courses leading to a degree, diploma or certificate of the University;

  3. members of staff as defined in 1(b)(i) who have retired from service at the University;

  4. senior members of staff and students of organisations which have made special financial arrangements with the University explicitly for the delivery of Library Services.
Further information about the right to borrow is in Library Regulations Schedule 1: Admission to the University of Southampton Library as a reader and as a borrower.

The privilege of borrowing from the Library is also extended to certain other categories of person. A complete list is in Library Regulations Schedule 1, which is available on the Library website, www.library.soton.ac.uk.

The privilege of borrowing from the Library does not include access to the Short Loan Collection or the Inter-Library Loan Service.

(c) The Privilege of Using or Borrowing

The privilege of using or borrowing from the Library can be restricted or withdrawn by the Librarian if, in his or her opinion, circumstances warrant this.

(d) The Right of Using or Borrowing

The right of using or borrowing from the Library cannot be restricted or withdrawn by the Librarian except as a penalty for a breach of Library Regulations. Any such penalty is subject to appeal through the normal channels.

2. CONDUCT IN THE LIBRARY

Any disorderly conduct in the Library, or any behaviour which unfairly inconveniences other users or causes damage or the risk of damage to books and library furniture, constitutes a breach of the Regulations. The user responsible may be penalised by the Librarian.

Regulations for orderly conduct in the Library include the following:
  1. use only the prescribed entrances and exits;

  2. do not take bulky personal possessions (suitcases, etc.) into the Library if requested not to do so by a member of Library staff;

  3. maintain silence in the reading areas; if you wish to talk then do so quietly elsewhere, for example in the Entrance Hall;

  4. switch off mobile phones on entering the library;

  5. do not smoke in the Library;

  6. do not consume food or drink in the Library;

  7. do not damage or deface any Library book or other Library property;

  8. show your reader or borrower ticket to a member of Library staff if asked to do so;

  9. show your books, briefcases, etc., to a member of Library staff when leaving the Library, if asked to do so.
A reader vacating his or her place will be deemed to have left the Library. His or her books and papers may be cleared by Library staff and the place taken by another reader unless a note of the time of leaving is left on the table. The place may then be reserved for up to thirty minutes.

3. BORROWING
  1. Books must not be removed from the Library unless they have been borrowed in accordance with the Regulations.

  2. Detailed borrowing regulations for different users and different categories of material can be found in Library Regulations Schedule 2: Borrowing Regulations, which is available on the library website www.library.soton.ac.uk.

  3. Books borrowed from the Library must not be taken abroad unless special permission has been obtained from the Librarian.

  4. The Librarian may require the immediate return of any book from any borrower after it has been on loan for 7 days during term or vacation.

4. ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY
  1. Details of opening hours of the Library are available from the Library website on www.library.soton.ac.uk.

  2. Everyone in the Library must leave the building immediately when the emergency bells are sounded.

  3. There are special regulations for access to manuscript collections in Library Regulations Schedule 4: Regulations for the use of Manuscript Collections which is available on the library website www.library.soton.ac.uk.