Library Regulations

1 Any person wishing to join the library may do so by completing the prescribed application form. By completing this form you are agreeing to comply with all public library regulations.

2 The information provided by you constitutes personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998, and will be used for library purposes only by the Library Service of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Cromwell Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. The data will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Act and disclosed to no other person. Details of your rights under the Act may be obtained by writing to the Director for Sustainable Communities, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Council Offices, Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.

3 When an application form has been properly completed, a library card will be issued. No item may be borrowed unless this card is produced.

3.1 The library card is valid for up to 6 books and/or recorded sound. 2 videos may be borrowed on payment of a registration fee.

3.2 Visitors (staying in the islands for under 3 months) may borrow material provided they deposit their home library cards or make a cash deposit at the prevailing rate as guarantee of return of borrowed material. A library card will be issued, which will be valid for up to 4 books and/or recorded sound.

3.3 Children under the age of 16 require a counter-signature of parent or guardian before they can borrow library material.

4 Any borrower who changes his/her address or permanently ceases to use the library must notify the librarian immediately.

5 A borrower who loses a card must notify the librarian immediately. A charge of £5.00 will be made for the issue of a replacement card.

6 Cards are issued on condition that the borrower shall be responsible for all material issued on the card bearing their name.

7 Returned items must not be left on the counter or elsewhere but should be delivered to the librarian. The borrower is responsible for items not delivered to the librarian.

8 A borrower or reader must report to the librarian at the earliest opportunity any damage to or loss of any library stock. Any person, or the parent or guardian of any child, who loses, defaces or damages any library material shall pay on demand the cost of repair or the cost of replacement to equal value. Items stolen or damaged are the property of the library authority even though a replacement or repair charge may have been paid.

9 The loan period for books and recorded sound is three weeks. A borrower returning adult material after the date due is liable to a charge at the prevailing rate. The loan period for videos is one week and fines will be charged by the day immediately the due date has passed.

10 If an item is not required by another reader the period of loan may normally be extended by presenting it at the library or by written or telephone application. There is no extension of loan for videos.

11 Books may be reserved whether or not the book is in stock; however the library authority does not bind itself to supply each and every book or to supply it by a given date or to lend it for use outside the library.

11.1 Books will be obtained to meet requests by one of the following methods:

a. Upon return, if out on loan.
b. By purchase.
c. By borrowing from another library.

11.2 Any loans made under (c) are subject to the regulations of the lending library in addition to those of Western Isles Libraries.

11.3 Videos and recorded sound may only be reserved if they are already in library stock.

Please write to the Chief Librarian with any comments you may have to help us improve the services we offer or e-mail bobeaves@cne-siar.gov.uk