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Rules and Regulations

Opening hours


The Library is open from 0930 to 1730 Monday to Friday. It is closed on Public Holidays and occasionally at other times as directed by Council with prior notice being given in Geoscientist and on the Society's website.

Conditions of admission and use


i) Only Fellows, Candidate Fellows and employees of companies who are Corporate Affiliates may use the Library. The Library Register must be signed on entering the Library. Fellows may be asked to show their membership card. Non-Fellows may be admitted under certain conditions (see below).

ii) Fellows who fail to pay their annual subscription by 1st January will be suspended from using the Library services.

iii) Access to rare or special material shall be at the Librarian's discretion.

iv) Library books and maps must not be defaced or damaged in any way.

v) Direct tracing from Library books or maps is forbidden. Protective, transparent sheets must be placed between the original and the tracing paper or, in the case of maps, the light-table may be used instead.

Loans

Only Fellows residing in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland may borrow Library material which must not be taken abroad.

Certain categories of material may not be borrowed:
  • Rare books and archive material
  • Maps hanging in the large map 'presses' (except by special arrangement)
  • Current issues of journals on the Central Library display racks
Material published prior to 1919 may be borrowed at the Librarian's discretion. In some instances the Librarian may insist that such items be collected and returned to the Library in person, rather than by post.

Fellows may borrow up to 6 books/journals and 6 maps. Candidate Fellows may borrow up to 3 books/journals and 3 maps. The loan period is four weeks, but the loan may be extended for a further four weeks, provided another reader does not require the item. Following this, the item must be returned to the Library and may not be borrowed by the same person again until four weeks have elapsed.

The privilege of borrowing is a personal one and Fellows should not lend items to other people.

Fellows who retain overdue items from the Library will be invoiced for their replacement and will have their right to use the Library withdrawn until the items are returned or paid for. Names of persistent offenders will be referred to the Library Advisory Committee.

Liability


The borrower is responsible for any item from the moment of receipt until it is received back into the Library. Borrowers will be liable for damage to or loss of items while in their charge or while in return transit by post. Items being returned by post should be packed securely and sent Special Delivery.

Photocopying and fax service


Fellows visiting the library may use the self-service photocopying machine and pay for the copies by purchasing copy cards at the current rates. A list of charges is displayed in the Library and will be sent on application. The Library staff will undertake photocopying on behalf of Fellows residing in the United Kingdom or overseas, subject to copyright restrictions. A Copyright Declaration Form (available from the Librarian) must be completed and signed before copies can be made. Up to 30 pages only will be transmitted by fax.

Payment for library services


Receipts are issued for all self-service copying and other services provided for readers visiting the Library. Invoices will be enclosed with photocopies and loans sent by post. It is possible to deposit money with the Library to set up a Library Account from which Library charges will be deducted.

Failure to pay for Library services will result in the right to use the Library being withdrawn.

Visitors to the Library


Non-Fellows (including members of societies with which Geological Society has reciprocal agreements) must make an appointment to use the Library, unless introduced by a Fellow of the Society as their guest.  All visitors must sign the register and pay a daily fee.

Non-Fellows who are not introduced by a member of the Society will not of right be able to use the Library on a daily fee-paying basis. Admission to the Library will be at the Librarian's discretion.

Enforcement of Library regulations


All members of the Library staff are empowered to enforce the Library Regulations. Any infringement of them will be reported to the Librarian immediately.


Approved by the Library Advisory Committee
May 2008


 Use of the Library by Non-Fellows


Non-Fellows must make an appointment to visit the Library, unless accompanying Fellows and introduced to the Library staff or presenting a letter of introduction signed by a Fellow.  Access to the Library by Non-Fellows who are not introduced by a Fellow will be granted at the Librarian's discretion.

 The Library Advisory Committee has approved the following daily charges for Non-Fellows:
  • Daily fee £25.00 (£15.00 after 1pm)
  • Student (Student ID required) £10.00
  • Retired from gainful emplyment (over pensionable age) or unemployed (supported by appropriate documentation) £10.00
The following exemptions to charges apply:
  • Guests accompanying Fellows who wish to use the Fellows' Room only.
  • Members of the 'Courtyard Societies' by arrangement with their Librarians:
    • Linnean Society
    • Royal Astronomical Society
    • Royal Society of Chemistry
    • Society of Antiquaries
  • Members of the following organisations (on production of proof of membership):
    • AAPG
    • Geological Society of America
    • Institution of Materials Mining and Metallurgy
    • Institute of Geologists of Ireland
The following restrictions apply to non-Fellows:
  • Library materials are available for Reference use only. Material may not be borrowed.
  • The CD-ROM literature search facility may not be used.
  • Photocopying facilities are available on a self-service basis and charged at Non-Fellow rates.
  • No fax, phone, post or E-mail requests are accepted