Library Byelaws
Public Library Byelaws made under Section 19 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964
Reviewed and updated in October 2018
1. Definitions
In these byelaws, unless the context otherwise requires:
- “the Act” means the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964;
- “charge” means any charge imposed in accordance with the Regulations and Policies of the Library Authority;
- “child” means a person under the age of 16;
- “emergency situation” includes situations where a library or part of a library is required to be evacuated for security reasons or because of threat from fire or other hazard and practices and false alarms in relation thereto;
- “last known address” means the last address held on the library authority’s records;
- “the library authority” means Lancashire County Council;
- “library” means any premises or vehicles used by the authority to provide a public library service, including all parts of such premises or vehicles;
- “the library officer” means any officer employed by the library authority in connection with its functions under the Act;
- “library property” includes property owned or provided by the library authority for use by the public;
- “the Regulations” means The Library Charges (England and Wales) Regulations 1991 S.I. 1991/2712;
- Words importing the masculine gender include the feminine, singular includes plural, and plural includes singular.
2. Library Officers
An act necessary for the proper execution of duty by a library officer shall not be a contravention of these byelaws.
3. False Information
No person shall supply false or misleading information for the purpose of entering the library or using any library facility.
4. Offensive Condition
No person who is offensively unclean in person or clothing shall remain in the library after being asked to leave by a library officer.
5. Prohibited Without Consent
Except with consent of a library officer, no person shall:
- Cause or allow any dog (other than an assistance dog) or other animal to enter or remain in the library;
- Bring into the library a wheeled vehicle (other than those necessary for mobility assistance);
- Enter any part of the library prohibited to the public;
- Access or remain in the library outside of opening times.
6. Emergencies
No person shall remain in the library after an emergency situation has been made known to them.
7. Library Property
No person shall, unless permitted, take or attempt to take library property past a checkout or security point.
8. Damage
No person shall destroy or damage library property intentionally or recklessly.
9. Behaviour
No person shall behave in a violent, disorderly or indecent manner in the library, use offensive language, or cause injury to another person.
10. Proper Use
No person shall remain in the library without making proper use of its facilities after being requested to do so by a library officer.
11. Obstruction
No person shall obstruct library officers or disturb, interrupt, or annoy others properly using the library.
12. Displaying Materials
No person shall display, distribute, or leave bills, notices or documents on library premises without consent.
13. Commercial Activity
No person shall offer anything for sale, seek donations, or canvass/petition without consent.
14. Supervision of Children
No person having charge of a child shall leave them unsupervised without consent.
15. Flames
No person shall bring into or light any flame on library premises.
16. Intoxication
No person shall supply, take or be under the influence of alcohol, toxic substances, or controlled drugs (except prescribed medication) in the library.
17. Refreshments
No person shall partake of refreshments in the library without consent.
18. Borrowing Restrictions
Persons with overdue items or unpaid charges may not borrow further property without consent.
19. Return of Items
Persons who fail to return borrowed items after notice must return them or pay replacement costs within 14 days.
20. Personal Details
Library users must notify changes to personal details as soon as possible or update their own accounts.
21. Online Resources
Users must comply with Conditions of Use policies for online resources. Breaches may result in being barred.
22. Contraventions
Persons contravening byelaws may be liable to prosecution and a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.
23. Exclusion
A library officer may exclude persons who contravene byelaws.
24. Revocation of Previous Byelaws
These byelaws revoke those made by Lancashire County Council in December 1997 and confirmed in March 1988.
Note
Users are reminded that general law applies at all times. The Criminal Damage Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 apply.
The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 applies to photocopying; copies may only be made lawfully.