Admission to the Library

1. All Lingnan University students and staff, members of the Court and Council, and all other users holding valid Lingnan Library cards are all eligible users.
2. For admission, students should obtain a Student Identity Card from the Registry. Staff Identity Cards are issued by the Human Resources Office. Other users should apply for relevant Library Cards.
3. Council and Court Members may apply for a Library Card free of charge.
4. Lingnan staff members employed by individual departments / research units or Visiting Scholars who are not issued the regular staff ID card may apply for a Library Card free of charge.
5. Staff’s spouses and children aged 15 or above (up to 21) are eligible to apply for reader/borrower privileges.
6. Long-serving Retired Staff may apply for reader/borrower privileges.
7. JULAC Library cardholders can register with the Library for borrowing books. Students of other UGC-funded universities can access the Library based on mutual agreements reached with JULAC.
8. Staff of government departments, quasi-government bodies, and non-profit organisations can apply for readers’ cards with the recommendations from their department heads or senior executives.
9. Other external users can apply for reader/borrower privileges.
10. Users must show their valid Library Cards when they enter the Library.
11. The University Librarian reserves the right to decline access to all users other than the current staff and students under special circumstances without giving prior notice. All charges are not refundable.
12. The University Librarian may approve other persons to use the Library for a specified period or purpose.
13. Library cards are individual and personal, they cannot be transferred to other parties. Loss of cards or change of address must be reported to the appropriate University authorities without delay.
14. The Library Card application is considered on an individual basis. The Library reserves the right to reject any new / renewal application.

Departure from the Library

1. Staff members and students are responsible for returning all loans and settling any outstanding fines and charges before departing upon cessation of employment, withdrawal or graduation from the University.

Fees and Charges

1. Library may impose fees and charges for the use and access of Library services, facilities and resources as deemed appropriate.
2. Charges will be imposed for any of but not limited to the following services upon approval of the relevant University Committees:
   • Membership
   • Loss or damage of a Library card
   • Overdue items
   • Loss or damage of a Library item
   • Printing and copying of Library materials
   • Interlibrary loans
3. Any user who refuses to pay the outstanding charges may result in declining of access and use of Library services, facilities and resources until the payment has been settled.

Conduct of Library Users

1. All Library users should abide by the Library Regulations and follow any other instructions from the Library staff on the use of the Library.
2. The Librarian or deputy may temporarily exclude any person who has infringed any of the Library Regulations or who has interfered with the comfort of the other users and the work of the Library staff.
3. Umbrellas, food, drink or anything which in the opinion of the Library staff may interfere with the proper use and management of the Library are not permitted inside the Library.
4. Users must not wear rain-coats or any clothing likely to soil Library property.
5. Smoking is strictly prohibited in the Library. Any user found smoking in the Library will be sent to appropriate University disciplinary bodies.
6. No games are allowed in the Library.
7. Library users are required to sit in the seats provided. Tables and chairs should not be moved from their original positions.
8. Reservation of seats in the Library is not permitted. Items including Library books left unattended on Library desks may be removed by the Library staff.
9. The Library is not responsible for the safe keeping of any belongings left in the Library.
10. Silence must be maintained in the Library. Use of mobile phones or pagers will lead to disciplinary actions.
11. All Library materials must be kept clean and in good condition. Any user found mutilating or defacing Library materials will be sent to appropriate University disciplinary bodies.
12. When doing photocopies in the Library, the users must observe the laws regarding copyright. Users are warned that they are fully responsible for any legal consequences that may arise concerning copyright.
13. When necessary, the Library may make special arrangements concerning the use of particular areas of the Library.

Disciplinary Measures Against User With Inappropriate Behaviour

1. All Library materials must be properly carried out the check out procedure before they leave Library area.
2. Users who committed inappropriate behaviour, including but not limited to using another user's Library card to enter/leave the Library/Rooms/Facilities, consuming food or drinks in the Library area, leaving the Library with materials that have not been properly checked out, will be dealt with in the following manner.
   • First Time Violation
     • A note will be recorded in the Library's user record.
     • Duty staff will warn the user that his / her Library privileges will be suspended if the violation is repeated.
   • Second Time Violations Within 12 Months
     • A note will be recorded in the Library's user record.
     • User's Library privileges will be suspended for a period of 3-14 days, subject to the decision of the Access Services Librarian or Associate Librarian.
     • The Access Services Librarian or Associate Librarian may interview the users concerned if needed.
   • Third Time or more Violations Within 12 Months
     • A note will be recorded in the Library's user record.
     • User's privileges will be suspended for a period of 14-28 days, subject to the decision of the Access Services Librarian or Associate Librarian.
     • The Access Services Librarian or Associate Librarian may interview the users concerned if needed.
     • A report will be submitted to the respective Department/Unit Heads and/or Disciplinary Committee for necessary actions.
3. Users who committed certain serious types of inappropriate behaviour, including but not limited to excessive download of resources, sharing the Library privileges to outsiders, will be dealt with in the following manner.
   • A note will be recorded in the Library’s user record.
   • User’s Library privileges will be suspended immediately.
   • The suspension period of the resumption of Library privileges is subject to the decision of the Access Services Librarian or Associate Librarian.
   • The Access Services Librarian or Associate Librarian may interview the users concerned if needed.
   • A report will be submitted to the respective Department/Unit Heads and/or Disciplinary Committee for necessary actions.

Regulations against Use of Mobile Phones and Pagers in Library

Personal mobile phones and pagers must be turned off before entering the Library or they should be used in designated areas. To maintain a quiet reading environment in the Library, the Senate at its meeting held on 18 March 2000 approved the recommendation of the Library and Information Services Committee that the following measures be taken against users using pagers/mobile phones in the Library with immediate effect:

1. To record the name of a user who is talking on a mobile phone or has a beeping pager/ringing mobile phone after entering the Library. Library staff will remind him/her of appropriate actions for future violations.
2. If the same user is found to violate any of the above regulations for a second time within one year from the date of the first case, his/her checkout privileges will be suspended for 14 days with immediate effect. The Access Services Librarian will interview the user and remind him/her of appropriate actions for future violations.
3. If the same user is found to violate any of the above regulations for a third time within one year from the date of the first case, his/her checkout privileges will be suspended for 28 days with immediate effect. The Associate Librarian will interview the user and remind him/her of appropriate actions for future violations. If the same user is found to violate any of the above regulations for a fourth time within one year from the date of the first case, he/she will be referred to the Student Disciplinary Committee or any relevant committee which will determine further appropriate actions.