Rules and regulations
Rules and regulations for the use of the University Library of the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)
(To be cited as: Library Rules and Regulations 2008)
Without prejudice to the application of other relevant legal regulations or regulations established internally by Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), such as the EUR code of conduct and the regulations included in the student bylaws, the following rules shall apply to the use of the EUR University Library (Woudestein campus), effective 1 January 2008:
Chapter I: General conditions
Chapter II: Reading rooms
Chapter III: Borrowing
Chapter IV: Digital information facilities
Chapter V: Enforcement of rules
Chapter I: General conditions
1. These rules and regulations apply to the use of the reading rooms (including the open journals stacks), the catalogues and electronic databases (including the related PCs), the circulation services and other public services and spaces forming part of the University Library of the EUR, hereafter referred to as the Library.
2. The Library is open to all who want to use the services of the Library, in compliance with these rules and regulations.
3. Visitors must provide proof of identity when requested to do so by the Library staff or the security staff of the EUR.
4. Visitors must leave outdoor clothing and bags (both large and small) in the designated lockers and storage areas before entering the Library. The EUR is not liable for loss of or damage to these items.
5. With the exception of topped bottles of water, no food or drinks may be brought into or consumed in the Library.
6. Visitors are expected to respect the peace and quiet within the Library. Absolute quiet should be maintained in the study halls particularly to enable people to study without being disturbed. Normal conversations may be carried on in the Mees room.
7. Smoking is not permitted in the Library.
8. The use of mobile phones is not permitted in the Library. They may only be used in the stairwells or on the overhead bridge leading to the Library.
9. Prior permission must be obtained from EUR’s Executive Board for taking professional photos of or shooting films in the Library. Applications for permission should be made at the Press Briefing department, tel. +31 (0) 10 4081216 / 4081777.
10. The books, journals and other documentary information materials of the Library, collectively referred to in these rules and regulations as publications, must not be changed or amended in any way.
11. Visitors to the Library and those who use the circulation services or other services of the Library are liable for any damage they cause to the collection, the building or the Library furnishings.
12. Anyone who has received substantial help from the Library in producing a piece of work that is published in print or other form is obliged to donate a copy to the Library, unless exempted from this obligation by the Librarian.
13. The Library aligns its procedures with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Data Act.
14. Anyone who feels that these rules and regulations have not been correctly applied in his case can complain (in writing or otherwise) to the Librarian. An appeal against a decision by the librarian can be made in writing to the Executive Board of the EUR within six weeks.
Chapter II: Reading Rooms
15. The reading rooms are only open to those who want to consult publications in the Library, to use the Library facilities in the reading rooms, or to study there. Groups led by a member of Library staff may visit the reading rooms.
16. Publications in a reading room may be used without first consulting the staff of the Library. They may not be taken out of the reading room unless for the purpose of making photocopies. In the latter case, after photocopying, the publications must be returned to the reading room where they belong.
17. It is not possible to reserve study places in the reading rooms. When leaving the reading room it is not permitted to reserve a space by leaving publications or personal belongings behind. Publications and/or personal belongings may be removed if left unattended longer than fifteen minutes at a study place in the reading room.
18. The language laboratory is only open to members of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, unless the librarian decides otherwise.
Chapter III: Circulation services
19. Anyone with a library card may borrow publications under the provisions of article 39 of these rules and regulations with the exception of the publications in the reading rooms and publications that the Librarian has designated as for reference use only.
20. Material published before 1850 is for reference use only, unless the librarian states otherwise.
21. A library card is issued free of charge to EUR staff. Staff members should be able to show proof that they are affiliated with the EUR.
22. A library card is issued free of charge to those registered at the EUR as a student, auditor, external student, course participant or exchange student and who have access to the facilities and collections of the EUR. The student card issued by the EUR is valid as a library card.
23. A library card is issued free of charge to members of the Rotterdamsch Leeskabinet and the academic staff and students of other universities on presentation of proof of identity and recent proof of their address. Students also have to show a valid student card. Staff members should be able to show proof that they are academic staff members affiliated with another Dutch university.
24. A library card will be issued to others on payment of an amount that is reviewed annually.
25. The library card is issued exclusively for the personal use of the cardholder. It is not permitted to use the library card on behalf of others.
26. Persons not connected with the EUR may be issued a library card under certain conditions. Legal or contractual conditions and restrictions regarding the access to information for persons who neither work nor study at the University may exclude these persons from using parts of the collection.
27. In principle, non-registered visitors may apply for a day pass, which entitles them to peruse publications, in so far as this does not conflict with other articles of these rules and regulations. A valid ID card may be used as security.
28. A borrower must show his card every time he borrows. If the borrower is represented by someone authorized to use his card, this person must show the appropriate card.
29. If the library card is lost or stolen, the person to whom the card has been issued remains responsible until the loss has been reported at the circulation desk. A charge will be made for issuing a new library card. Applications for new student cards must be made at the Admissions Office of the University.
30. The circulation desk must be notified directly of a change of physical or e-mail address (see also article 36). Recent proof of address must be produced. EUR students should also notify the Admissions Office on the same day.
31. Publications can be requested through the circulation function of the online public catalogue or at the circulation desk. They can be collected at the circulation desk.
32. Publications requested by borrowers will be held at the circulation desk for a limited amount of time. Publications requested on weekdays between 8:30 and 16:30 can be collected on the same or the following weekday. Requests made after 16:30 or in the weekend can be collected on the following two weekdays.
33. On request, publications can be sent by post, under the terms of the relevant rules. The borrower must pay a set charge (which is reviewed annually) per publication for this service.
34. The loan period is three weeks, except for publications for which the librarian has set a different loan period. After this period, a so-called courtesy period of a maximum of 27 days becomes operational exclusively for EUR staff. During this period the borrower is asked to return the book only if it is reserved by another borrower.
35. If a book has not been reserved by another borrower, it can be renewed either online by the borrower or at the circulation desk at his request.
36. Borrowers must have a valid e-mail address for receiving overdue notices and for other announcements from the Library. EUR students and staff must use the e-mail addresses issued to them by EUR. The library card will be blocked if overdue notices and announcement are undeliverable.
37. Borrower must return borrowed publications to the circulation desk before expiration of the borrowing dates. Failure to do so will result in a fine and, possibly, blocking of the library card concerned. Library cards will be automatically blocked after issuing a third overdue reminder.
38. If the publication is not returned after repeated reminders, the matter will be referred to a debt recovery agency. The library card will remain blocked until all the costs have been paid to the debt recovery agency and the Library has received confirmation of this. Under all circumstances, the publication remains the property of the Library.
39. If the Library repeatedly has to refer cases of non-returned publications by the same reader to the debt recovery agency, the librarian may permanently bar that user from borrowing.
40. The borrower is liable for damage to or loss of the publications he has borrowed from the moment that they are handed over to him or his representative, regardless of how and whether he has caused the damage or loss. Borrowed items are considered to be lost when they are not returned on time after the Librarian has requested their return.
41. On written request, the librarian may, at his discretion, lend publications for use within the EUR for a maximum period of one year.
42. When a user wishes to borrow a publication that is already on loan he can reserve this publication through the online public catalogue or at the circulation desk. The publication can be borrowed as soon as it has been returned to the Library and processed. The Librarian will notify the user when the publication is available. It will be reserved for one week after the date stated on the notification.
43. The maximum number of requests, loans and reservations per borrower are as follows:
a Maximum number of loans per borrower:
- EUR staff: 25
- Other borrowers: 10
b Maximum number of reservations per borrower: 5
c Maximum number of requests at one time: 5
d Maximum number of reservations per book: 2
44. The librarian can negotiate the loan of publications from other libraries for a charge agreed annually. Borrowing these publications is subject to the same provisions of these rules and regulations unless the other library has different regulations.
45. All holders of a library card, with the exception of students and staff of other universities, may open an ILL account or an ILL + Post account with the Library. The holder of such an account is bound by the 'Conditions for the use of an ILL account' and the 'Supplementary conditions for the use of an ILL + Post account'.
46. Payments should be made electronically at the circulation desk (cash cards or direct debit). If this is not possible, payments should be made in cash in the exact amounts.
Chapter IV: Digital Information Services
47. The ‘Rules and Regulations for the Use of Computers and Networks’ apply to use both inside and outside the Library building, for each contact or consultation of the digital information facilities made available by the Library.
48. The software on the PCs in the Library is for the exclusive use of the students and staff of the EUR. It is forbidden to use software on the PCs that has not been provided by the Library.
49. Because of noise pollution, the use of laptop computers is permitted only in the Mees room and at designated locations in the reading rooms.
50. Bringing laptops or other equipment and/or other goods that do not belong to the Library into the Library is at the risk of the library user and/or owner of the goods. The Library does not accept any liability. Using wall sockets in the library for such equipment is only allowed in positions where this does not lead to dangerous situations of any kind at all. Thus a wall socket can only be used if it is positioned on the very wall against which the study table is placed on which the equipment is placed and/or used. All liability for damage to persons or goods caused by the equipment as mentioned above and/or by the use of such in the Library lies with the owner and/or user of these goods.
51. Users other than EU staff or students may use only those digital information services within the Library that are offered by the Library on a digital information services licensing basis (‘walk-in use’). These users should apply at the circulation desk for a so-called one-day ERNA account.
Chapter V: Enforcement of Rules
52. The Library staff is authorised to call to account anyone who does not comply with these rules and regulations or the ‘Rules of Conduct’ or who otherwise misbehaves. Failure to comply with instructions could result in a refusal to provide Library services, or in the person or persons concerned being summoned to leave the Library by the librarian’s designated staff.
53. In accordance with the ‘Rules of Conduct', chapter 2, the librarian is authorised to take measures against rule violators, including fining or probationary, temporary or permanent refusal of entrance to or use of the Library facilities.
