Wellcome Library Conditions of Use

Access
Security and safety
Considering others
Food and drink
Personal equipment
Computer use
Copying and copyright
Care of the collections
Rare materials
Complaints

1. Access

(a) The Library welcomes users with research or study interests in the history and understanding of medicine and related subjects.

(b) In joining the Library and gaining access to our collections, you agree to abide by our regulations.

(c) The regulations are not intended to cover every eventuality. Please follow any instructions you receive from Library and Security staff.

(d) You must produce evidence of identity and permanent address before a full Library card can be issued.

(e) You must bring your card each time you visit and show it to Library or Security staff whenever it is asked for.

(f) Please take care of your card. If you repeatedly lose or forget it, we may decline to replace it or to admit you.

(g) The card remains the property of the Library. It is issued to you personally. You must not allow others to use it, nor should you disclose your PIN or card number to anyone else.

(h) Children under 16 are admitted only by exception and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

(i) The Head of the Library reserves the right to refuse admission.

2. Security and safety

(a) The Library is open to the public for reference and research only. Library materials must not be removed from the reading rooms.

(b) Only small non-expandable bags, no larger than 29 x 21 x 7 cm, can be taken into the Library.

(c) Larger bags (including computer cases), umbrellas and outdoor coats must be left in the staffed cloakroom or personal lockers on the ground floor of the building.

(d) You must present your bag, papers and/or other personal possessions for inspection if requested to do so by Library or Security staff.

(e) Ladders and kik-steps are provided for your use and are regularly maintained by the Library but are used entirely at your own risk.

(f) Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Wellcome Building.

(g) For your safety and the safety of others, you must follow the instructions of Library or Security staff in the event of a building evacuation or other emergency. Failure to do so could result in the withdrawal of your Library card.

(h) CCTV cameras operate throughout the Library.

3. Considering others

(a) We will maintain a quiet and friendly environment and treat all our users with courtesy and respect. We ask you to do the same for fellow users and Library staff.

(b) Mobile phones, PDAs etc. should be switched to silent, non-vibrate mode. Please do not make or receive calls anywhere within the Library.

(c) You may use personal audio equipment with headphones but please ensure it is not audible to other users.

4. Food and drink

(a) Food and drink, including bottled water, sweets and gum, must not be brought into the Library.

5. Personal equipment

(a) Personal property is brought into the Library at your own risk.

(b) When using cameras for copying purposes please comply with the Library's handling and copyright regulations.

(c) The use of scanners and other portable copying devices is not permitted.

(d) Laptops may be used anywhere in the Library.

(e) Use of our free WiFi internet facility is monitored. You must abide by our Computer Use Policy at all times.

6. Computer use

(a) You must be a registered user of the Wellcome Library in order to access Library workstations.

(b) All computer use on our premises, on Library-owned or private equipment, is subject to a separate Computer Use Policy [PDF 50KB].

(c) In signing your application to join the Library you agree to abide by the Computer Use Policy [PDF 50KB].

(d) The Library’s computer facilities, electronic resources and internet access are made available solely to support research and study relevant to the history of medicine, biomedical science and health.

(e) Recreational web browsing is not permitted on Library machines. You should not use Library-supplied word processing and/or other facilities for purposes unconnected with your reasonable research or study needs.

7. Copying and copyright

(a) All copying (scanning or photography) done in the Library must comply with current UK copyright and data protection laws, and be for non-commercial research or private study only.

(b) All copying is subject to the Library’s guidelines for handling Library material. Copying of items that might be damaged by the process is not permitted.

(c) Users of electronic resources must comply with copyright and other use restrictions imposed by database providers.

8. Care of the collections

(a) All material is issued at the discretion of Library staff.

(b) Please help us to take care of the collections for current and future users.

(c) Please ensure your hands are clean before using Library materials or equipment.

(d) Theft, deliberate mutilation of materials or any other acts detrimental to the collections will result in the immediate withdrawal of your Library card and a demand for reimbursement. Serious offences may result in prosecution.

(e) Please do not annotate, mark or otherwise deface Library materials.

(f) The use of scissors, glue, correcting fluid, paints or other substances that could be harmful to Library materials is not allowed.

(g) Please do not rest anything on top of, or against, an open book or document.

(h) Please do not place books or journals face down on any surface, or bend back their covers. Bookmarks are available from the Enquiry Hall.

9. Rare materials

(a) Rare materials include manuscripts, archives, early printed books, printed ephemera, prints, drawings and paintings.

(b) To access these you must have a valid Library card.

(c) Rare materials can be consulted in the Rare Materials Room only and are subject to special handling conditions.

(d) Handling guidelines are on display in the Rare Materials Room but please follow any instructions you receive from staff.

(e) If you wish to take notes, please use only a lead pencil.

(f) When using a laptop, please ensure that materials are not at risk of damage from a trailing wire or adaptor.

(g) The use of cameras is not permitted in the Rare Materials Room.

(h) Access to some material is subject to special arrangements. These will be explained by a staff member as necessary.

(i) Material may not be removed from the Rare Materials Room or be left unattended. Please inform the duty librarian if you plan to take a break.

(j) You are responsible for each item issued to you until you return it to the duty librarian.

(k) Materials must be returned to the duty librarian 15 minutes before the Library closes.

(l) The exit from the Rare Materials Room is security-controlled. You must not leave the room without informing the duty librarian.

10. Complaints

(a) We hope that you will enjoy your visits.

(b) If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, please speak to staff in the Enquiry Hall in the first instance.

(c) If they are unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction they will seek advice from another appropriate staff member.

Richard Aspin
Head of Research and Scholarship
January 2010