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Library Use Policy

Section 1 - Executive Summary

(1) The Library facilities and resources are provided to support the learning, teaching, research, and administrative requirements of the University of Newcastle (University), and its regional communities, in support of the University Strategic Plan.

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Section 2 - Purpose

(2) This policy establishes the principles by which Library users may access and utilise the resources of the University Library.

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Section 3 - Scope

(3) This policy applies to all sites and services of the University Library.

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Section 4 - Audience

(4) Staff, students, University affiliates and alumni, honorary academics, general public, and resource-sharing organisations.

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Section 5 - Definitions

(5) In the context of this document the following definitions apply:

Defined Term Meaning
Alumni Graduates of the University, past and present members of Academic staff and of the University Council. Graduates of the University's former institutions are also included - Newcastle Teachers College; National Arts School; Newcastle University College (Tighes Hill); Newcastle Conservatorium of Music; Newcastle College of Advanced Education; and the Hunter Institute of Higher Education. Study Abroad, Exchange Students and Enabling program participants are considered Associate Alumni.
Special Collections Special Collections refers to resources in a variety of formats that are distinguished, and have intrinsic value to the University and its regions. Special Collections include materials such as, but not limited to, archives, rare books, and manuscripts.
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Section 6 - Library

Library Use

(6) Library users have access to the facilities and services of the Library within the following parameters:

  1. Library members may:
    1. enter the Library during its hours of opening;
    2. borrow from the Library according to the terms and conditions established in the various reciprocal agreements and this policy; and
    3. access services which are determined by license agreements, or other contractual or legislative requirements, if the Library member is specified by the providers of those services, or by relevant legislation.
  2. Library users may:
    1. enter the Library during its hours of opening; and
    2. access services which are determined by license agreements, or other contractual or legislative requirements, if the Library user is specified by the providers of those services, or by relevant legislation.

Hours of Opening

(7) The hours of opening of each Library will be determined by the University Librarian, upon advice of the appropriate Library Manager, and notified to the users of each Library. Any variation to standard opening hours shall be notified in advance through appropriate University and Library channels and posted on the Library website.

Access to the University Library and Resources

(8) Admission to use the Library is conditional on adherence to the Library's policies and general conditions as displayed on the Library website.

(9) Library members have:

  1. access to the public areas within the libraries and to the facilities and collections in these areas;
  2. borrowing rights to library materials, as detailed on the Library website; and
  3. priority for services and facilities, including computers and workstations.

(10) Library users:

  1. have access to the public areas of the libraries and to the facilities and collections in these areas;
  2. have limited access to electronic resources through specified community access terminals, in accordance with licensing agreements, and to computers and restricted collections; and
  3. do not have borrowing rights unless they have a library membership. 

(11) In addition to other relevant University rules, policies, and procedures Library users must observe the University's Copyright Compliance Policy, and where relevant the Staff Code of Conduct and Student Code of Conduct when accessing library resources in any format, both on and off campus.

(12) Library staff areas are wholly restricted to the use of Library staff and cannot be accessed without the permission of Library staff.

(13) Personal information collected, stored and used for the purposes of facilitating Library services is managed in accordance with the University's Privacy Management Plan.

(14) Library users may be requested by Library staff to provide identification to confirm their library member status (such as staff or student identification).

Use of The Library

Borrowing

(15) Loanable Library materials and equipment may be borrowed for prescribed periods of time and must be returned within the prescribed timeframe or renewed accordingly. Online renewals may be made at any time. Materials and equipment must be returned upon request.

(16) Borrowing conditions, periods, and penalties for overdue items may vary according to membership type, and are detailed on the Library website. Library members are required to familiarise themselves with these requirements before borrowing. 

(17) Materials and equipment must be returned in good condition. Any damage must be reported upon return and the borrower may be liable for charges as prescribed in Clause 34 to 38.

(18) Certain types of material, including but not limited to theses and rare or valuable materials, are not available for loan and will be marked accordingly. Such items must not be removed from the Library.

(19) No material or equipment can be removed from the Library without a borrowing transaction record.

(20) Library members are responsible for any materials or equipment for which there is a borrowing transaction record in their name. This responsibility ends when the material or equipment is returned to the Library and the loan is discharged from the computer system.

(21) Library members must borrow in their own name, using their own identification.

(22) Library members cannot transfer a borrowed item to another member. The member in whose name the borrowing transaction record is held is regarded as the borrower, and remains responsible for the condition and timely return of the material or equipment.

(23) The University Librarian has discretionary power to lend, or to refuse to lend any item at any time.

(24) When leaving the Library, library users must produce any Library item in their possession for inspection by Library staff, if called upon to do so.

(25) Library users who attempt to leave the Library with materials or equipment that have not been borrowed may be subject to the following actions:

  1. for staff – disciplinary action in accordance with the relevant Enterprise Agreement, or their employment contract;
  2. for students – disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Conduct Rule;
  3. other Library users – withdrawal of Library access and borrowing rights.

Special Collections

(26) The Library will facilitate and promote access to the Special Collections in accordance with the principles in this Policy and the Library Collection Development Policy.

(27) Onsite access to the Special Collections will be provided in the Reading Room of the University of Newcastle, Auchmuty Library by advanced appointment. Instructions for safe handling of these materials will be provided by Library staff.

Electronic Resources

(28) Library members have access to the Library's electronic resources, including hardware and software. Restrictions may be placed on the use of some services, as determined by:

  1. any relevant license agreement;
  2. the providers of those services; or
  3. by any relevant legislation.

Computers, Photocopying, Printing, Recording

(29) Computers and connectivity to the University network are provided for staff and students of the University and must be used in accordance with University policies and conditions of use. This includes not sharing passwords to assist unauthorised users to gain access to Library resources. (Please see Information Technology Conditions of Use Policy).

(30) Library users using copying, printing or recording devices must do so in accordance with the Copyright Compliance Policy and Copyright Compliance Guidelines. Notices indicating permissible actions are located within the relevant copying facilities.

Library Spaces

(31) Library members cannot reserve places such as study desks and computer workstations in public areas of the Library. If a place is vacated without being cleared of books, or a computer is unoccupied for 15 minutes, it is regarded as available for use by another member. Personal belongings left unattended may be removed by Library staff and kept in a secure place.

(32) Reservations may be made for certain study rooms and working places by staff and students or for particular types of work (e.g. media viewing). Reservations are subject to availability and may be cancelled at short notice by Library staff. Information on the locations of these areas and the manner for booking them is available on the Library website.

(33) Services will cease 15 minutes before closing time of the Library during which time any present Library users should finalise their work / study and be prepared to leave the premises or relocate to a 24-hour study space.

Infringements and Penalties

(34) The University Librarian may withdraw borrowing privileges from Library members who fail to return material or equipment after recall or overdue requests. Borrowing privileges may be restored when the material is returned, or at the discretion of the University Librarian.

(35) The University Librarian may restrict access and borrowing privileges or exclude Library users who breach the provisions of this Policy.

(36) A schedule of penalties and fines for borrowing infringements will be displayed on the Library website. In the event of fines or penalties being imposed staff, students and other Library members may have their borrowing rights restricted until finalisation of the matter.

(37) The deferral, waiver, reduction, refund, or the implementation of a repayment plan for library fees or fines may be approved by a delegate.

(38) Library users may be required to pay for any loss or damage to Library material or equipment, plus a processing fee. This includes items on loan or being used by a user whilst in the Library. If the lost or damaged item is part of a set, the Library user may be required to pay for the cost of a new set, if this is the only way to replace the lost part. When an item on loan has been lost, a copy (or an appropriate substitute) will be reordered if available, and the Library member will be charged to pay the cost of the item, together with handling fees, even if the original copy belonging to the Library is subsequently found.

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Section 7 - General Conduct

(39) Library users must respect the rights of others and behave in a manner not likely to disrupt or inconvenience other Library users, and refrain from using offensive language or gestures. The Library observes zero tolerance to verbal or physical abuse of staff or Library users.

(40) Children must always be within the immediate supervision of an adult.

(41) Display of posters and notices may be allowed at the discretion of the  University Librarian or relevant Library Manager. Permission must be obtained in advance by contacting the Library.

(42) Filming or taking photographs within the Library requires prior permission from the University Librarian or relevant Library Manager. Suitable signage will be displayed to notify of filming and photography in progress. Photography of staff or students is not permitted without their explicit permission.

(43) Library users must leave the Library immediately when requested to do so by Library staff.

(44) In addition to clauses 39 to 43:

  1. observance of the noise zoning levels within the Library should be maintained, and noise levels kept low in designated areas, in consideration of others. Mobile phones should have ring tones set to ‘silent’ or ‘vibrate’ in the silent zones;
  2. during periods of high demand, Library members using University computers for amusement or social activity may be requested by Library staff to relinquish their use until a more appropriate time;
  3. Library users who are proven to have wilfully damaged library property or materials may be subject to disciplinary action, which may include penalties as prescribed in Clause 34 to 38.
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Section 8 - Roles and Responsibilities

(45) The University Librarian has overarching responsibility for all the sites and services of the University Library. This includes withdrawing and restoring borrowing privileges and access in accordance with delegations of authority.