Skip to Navigation
You are here: Home › About Us › Policies › Library Regulations

Library Regulations

  • ""

Readers wishing to use the Library are expected to acquaint themselves with, and observe library regulations. They are required to respect and comply with these regulations in order to ensure an appropriate atmosphere for study and research.

Any member of the library staff is empowered to enforce the regulations. The Librarian has the power to restrict or suspend any reader who contravenes regulations from the use of the Library and its services, and/or to impose a fine of up to €63.

All Library users are bound by the “General Rules of the University” published in the current NUI Maynooth Calendar.

Persons entitled to use the Library

  • Members of the Governing Authority of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth and the Trustees of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth; registered students and staff of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth and St Patrick's College, Maynooth; and retired members of the academic staff.
  • Staff and students of other institutions in accordance with agreed co-operative schemes – ALCID, CONUL, and SCONUL.
  • Members of the public requiring access for research purposes or scholarly needs may apply to use library facilities. A fee is charged.
  • Visitors to the John Paul II Library and the Russell Library are admitted at the discretion of the Librarian.
  • Such other persons as the Librarian may consider eligible.
  • External readers and visitors are admitted on the understanding that they do not hinder members of the University in pursuit of their research and studies.
  • The foyer of the John Paul II Library is open to all members of the public including children.  However, children must be accompanied and supervised by parents/guardians at all times.  While this is a public area we ask everybody to remember that it is a library and an appropriate atmosphere and noise levels must be maintained at all times. Children are not allowed past the library entrance turnstiles.

Code of conduct

  • All library users must produce identification on request from a member of security or library staff.
  • Talking is not permitted in the Library reading areas. Conversation is allowed on the ground floor.
  • Any person who seriously inconveniences other users or causes damage may be excluded from the Library and must make good any damage caused.
  • Smoking is not allowed in the Library. Food and drink (apart from bottled water) may only be consumed on level 1.
  • Ring and key tones of mobile phones must be switched off at all times.
  • Seats in the John Paul II Library may be reserved for 30 minutes. Readers are asked to use the seat reservation system provided.
  • The Library accepts no responsibility for personal belongings left in the building.
  • When leaving the Library, readers must produce for inspection all material in their possession if requested by a security officer or any member of library staff.
  • If the security check, mechanical or manual, discovers that an item has been taken inadvertently without being checked out, the first time defaulter will be fined €2.00.
  • The maximum fine of €63 may be payable when library property has been removed illegally. In addition to the fine the Librarian is empowered to suspend the library privileges of the wrongdoer and report the case to the Committee of Discipline.
  • The Librarian can request the replacement cost of defaced library materials. Mutilating or vandalising books will incur the penalty of exclusion from the Library for an appropriate period and/or a fine. In addition the case may be reported to the Committee of Discipline.
  • Loss of, or damage to library material or material borrowed on inter-library loan must be reported to the Library immediately. The reader responsible will be required to make good any such loss or damage.

Electronic resources

  • The electronic resources subscribed to by the Library are for use by registered staff and students of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth and St Patrick's College, Maynooth either on or off campus. Authenticated ‘walk-in users’ may also access the resources within the library building.
  • The resources may not be accessed by any other parties and may not be used for commercial or profit making purposes.

Borrowing

  • Items are borrowed and returned at the self-service machines on the ground floor.
  • No item may be removed from the Library until the appropriate borrowing procedure has been followed. A reader is responsible for all items borrowed in his/her name. His/her responsibility is not transferable and ends only when the appropriate return procedure has been completed.
  • Items must be returned on the date and time due. Fines are charged on all overdue items and borrowing rights are withheld until fines are paid.
  • All items are subject to recall after one week, regardless of the normal loan period allowed.
  • Standard Loan books can be renewed once unless another reader wants them or they are requested for the Short Loan or Reserve Collections.
  • Users of the Library leaving the University or College must return all items on loan before the end of their course or before they leave. Disciplinary action will be taken against those who do not return library material. The authorities will be notified and the maximum penalties will be imposed.
  • The Librarian has discretionary power to lend, to refuse to lend, or to recall any book at any time.
  • Certain material is either confined permanently to the Library or available for restricted loan only.
  • Information on the number of items which may be borrowed, fines and restricted material is to be found on the library web

Library PCs and laptops

Copying

Health and safety

  • Fire drills are held at intervals during the year and readers are expected to follow the procedures correctly.
  • All untoward incidents must be reported to a security officer or a member of the library staff.
  • Users of the John Paul II Library car park are requested to park in the designated spaces and not to block the entrances which must be kept clear for emergency services.

Russell Library

  • The Russell Library is for reference only; material may not be borrowed.
  • Admission is restricted to members of the academic staff and postgraduate students. Undergraduates are admitted on the recommendation of their lecturer.
  • External readers and scholars are admitted at the discretion of the Librarian.
  • Readers and visitors are admitted by prior arrangement only. Visitors must be accompanied by a library staff member. Parties larger than five must also be accompanied by a security officer.
  • Material in the Russell Library may not be photocopied. Digital images may be made available at the Librarian’s discretion.
  • The permission of the Trustees of St. Patrick’s College must be obtained before any manuscripts or rare books are removed from the Library.
  • The use of copying devices is prohibited.
  • Coats and bags may not be brought up to the reading room.
  • External readers must complete a library registration form.
  • Readers are required to complete call slips for items requested. Readers may not go to the shelves to retrieve material.

Store

Materials from the Store are transferred to the John Paul II Library for consultation and/or borrowing, on application to the Desk in the John Paul II Library.

Last edited: 30 May, 2013 - 12:15