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Basic Information

Library Rules and Service Standards

Service Standards

You can expect us to:

  • Provide 24 hour access to  the libraries during semesters and access to the digital library all year round

  • Tell you of any changes in opening hours or other services

  • Provide a welcoming, polite, and professionally trained staff

  • Provide a help service at each of the libraries in core staffed hours  during semesters and vacations, and an online help service – ‘Ask a Librarian’ during semesters

  • Provide self-service facilities in all libraries

  • Provide training in information skills to help you get the most out of your studies;

  • Make sure you have access to a wide range of up-to-date books and resources, including core texts, and to the web based library search tool that is easy to use and can be accessed both on and off campus

  • Continue to develop new ways of providing information, including e-books and other digital resources

  • Provide a range of technologies and facilities for disabled and dyslexic students

  • Provide clearly designated areas for silent, quiet and group study

  • Provide you with high-quality presentation and photocopying facilities

  • Respond promptly to feedback about the Library and use all feedback to improve the services we offer

We would like to hear from you about how we are doing in keeping our promises to you and how we could do even better. Please give us your feedback online at uel.ac.uk/library; by email; by filling in a ‘Tell Us’ form available at all Library help desks; or come and talk to a member of staff.

Click Service Standards for details about how we achieved our Service Standards last year.

What we expect from you

  • Treat our staff and other students with courtesy and respect

  • Produce your UEL identity card each time you visit our libraries

  • Use designated areas  for the specified purposes only, and take care not to disturb others

  • Check our your university email daily for information about your library account and return requested items on time

  • Observe current Library Rules, the copyright and patent laws, and our computer regulations

  • Not bring food into the libraries and to keep the libraries tidy

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Library & Learning Services (LLS) Rules

We have rules in place to help us maintain an environment that is conducive to study. They are intended to safeguard the interests of all library users and to ensure that everyone can make use of our collections and services freely and fairly. Whilst LLS staff are committed to providing a high quality service, students are also expected to behave responsibly and considerately when using our libraries.

  • Access to all UEL libraries is by valid UEL identity card only. Students and staff must carry their ID card with them every time they visit the library, and must show it to a member of staff or security when asked to do so. All visitors must apply to the appropriate library for access.
  • Loans or renewals may only be carried out on presentation of a UEL identity card. The person named on the card is responsible for all the items issued to that card.
  • Loaned items must be returned or renewed by the due date and time. This is the responsibility of the borrower. We will renew your loans automatically unless they are requested by another user. Charges will be incurred if items are returned or renewed after the due date.
  • LLS staff and Student Administration must be informed immediately of lost ID cards.
  • The replacement cost of any library materials lost or damaged beyond repair must be paid by the user in whose name they are loaned.
  • Library users should inform LLS staff and Student Services immediately of any change of address. LLS accept no liability for missed notices or other information due to inaccurate or incomplete address details, or to other communication failures outside the control of the LLS.
  • Silence must be maintained in designated areas and conversation should be kept to a minimum in quiet areas.
  • Staff and students have the right to carry out their work and study in the University libraries without intimidation or aggression from others. This includes verbal abuse, racial harassment and intimidating behaviour. Any such incident will be dealt with under the University's Disciplinary Procedures. This will include the withdrawal of library facilities.
  • Only children accompanying current UEL students are permitted in UEL libraries. No other visitors are permitted to bring children into the library.
  • Children are permitted in the libraries with a responsible adult on condition that, before entry, parents/guardians sign that they take full responsibililty for the child’s health and safety and behaviour. If a child is disturbing other library users the parent will be asked to take them out of the library.
  • Alcohol must not be consumed on library premises.
  • Food is not allowed in the libraries.
  • Library users must assist in maintaining a clean and tidy environment by disposing of any rubbish in the bins provided.
  • Personal music players can only be used with earphones and they must be inaudible to others. Mobile phones must be set to silent mode.
  • Sleeping is not allowed in the libraries.
  • Work appropriate for studio/workshop spaces must not be carried out in the libraries. This includes modelling, cutting, gluing, painting and large drawings.
  • Users are responsible for their own property at all times and should keep their belongings with them. Unattended possessions may be removed if they are likely to cause a security or health and safety hazard.
  • Equipment (e.g. PCs) or materials which have been left for longer than 15 minutes may be assigned to another user at the discretion of the LLS staff on duty.
  • LLS does not accept liability for lost work or the late submission of work because of a failure to provide any service due to circumstances beyond its control.
  • Library materials may not be removed from the Libraries without authorisation. LLS staff and Security staff may ask to examine bags and possessions if the security alarm is triggered.
  • Users found damaging or stealing LLS property will be subject to the full University Disciplinary Procedures.
  • Any outstanding fines or other charges, including replacement costs, may result in library facilities being withdrawn until full payment has been made. All students will be expected to clear their outstanding fines and charges by the end of each semester. Final year students may have their results withheld if they fail to clear all fines and charges when they complete their studies.

LLS staff reserve the right to withdraw facilities from any user in breach of these rules.

 Children in Libraries

We do understand that sometimes students would like to bring their children into UEL libraries and IT areas when arrangements can’t be made for them to be cared for.
Numbers of students have complained about the noise and disruption caused by some children in our library and IT centres. We are also concerned that our buildings are not suitable for young children and can be hazardous.
To ensure that the needs of all our students are accommodated and to ensure the safety of young children on our premises, Library Services and IT Services have produced the following guidelines for parents/guardians:
• Children should only be brought into libraries and IT areas for brief visits, e.g. when collecting or returning items or printing a document
• Students must take full responsibility for their child's safety and behaviour when in libraries and IT areas, and the child must be supervised at all times.
• Students must be aware of our libraries and IT areas as quiet places for study, and should leave if their child becomes a nuisance to others
• Children are not allowed in silent study areas
• Children are not allowed to use any UEL computer
Parents or guardians of children who do not follow these guidelines or who have previously caused disruption will be asked to leave and can be refused access in the future.

Please note: Only children accompanying current UEL students are permitted in UEL libraries. No other visitors are permitted to bring children into any UEL library.

Students who are bringing in children must sign to agree that they will abide by the new guidelines.

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