FALKIRK COUNCIL
MANAGEMENT RULES FOR THE REGULATION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Revised July 2025

FALKIRK COUNCIL, incorporated under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994, in exercise of the powers conferred upon them by Section 112 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 do hereby make and enact the following Management Rules for the preservation and regulation of the Public Libraries vested in them or under their control and management and for the prevention of nuisance or annoyance therein.

Definitions
In these Management Rules:

“The Council” means Falkirk Council.

“Library Premises” means any public library for the time being belonging to or under the control of the Council including any vehicles used for library purposes.

“The Team Leader Libraries” means the person appointed as such by the Council, or in their absence, any other person authorised by the Council to act on their behalf.

“Library Staff” means any person employed by the Council wholly or partly in connection with the provision of library services in Falkirk Council.

“Books” include any book, newspaper, magazine, periodical, pamphlet, picture, print, photograph, engraving, etching, deed, map, chart, plan, microfilm, music score, or article of a like nature, forming part of the contents of the library.

Membership

Any person that lives, works, or studies in the Falkirk Council area may apply to register as a borrower at any of the library premises.

All persons wishing to become borrowers must complete an application form and produce a form of identification containing their current name and address. If a paper copy of identification is not available, electronic versions of identification displayed on a smart device will be accepted.

Any person can join from birth, but those under the age of 16 years will need to have a registration form signed by a parent, or other adult with parental responsibility. This adult guarantor will be responsible for all items borrowed on this membership card.
Borrowers’ cards are not transferable, and books may not be lent or passed from one borrower to another.

The Council reserves the power to decline to issue a borrower’s card and cancel a borrower’s card if they see sufficient reason for doing so.

A person who loses a borrower’s card must advise the Team Leader Libraries of the position immediately, and such charge as the Council may from time to time determine will be levied to replace a lost card.

Borrowers ceasing to use the library must surrender their library card to be cancelled. A change of address must be notified to library staff within twenty eight days.

Registration as a borrower will lapse after a period of 3 years from when the membership was taken out. Thereafter, reregistration with appropriate identification will be required.


Borrowing

Borrowers must return books within the specified loan period.
A book may be re-issued for a further loan period if not required by another borrower. 

If a book is not returned after application for its return has been made, further proceedings will be made. These will include the replacement cost of the item being added to the library membership. Borrower cards can be suspended until overdue items are returned.

The maximum number of items which can be borrowed will be as determined by the Council and displayed online and at all library premises.

Borrowers will be responsible for any damage which items may sustain whilst in their possession, and damage shall be assessed by library staff. Borrowers’ cards can be suspended until payment of the damage is complete.

A person shall not willfully or carelessly or negligently, soil, damage, or destroy any item forming part of the contents of the library either within the library or whilst in their possession.

In the event of any infectious disease becoming known in a borrower’s household, no special precautions need to be taken. Unless there is evidence or information that an item on loan has been contaminated by blood or other bodily fluids. If this occurs, the item should be safely disposed of and the library alerted to the loss of the item within 14 days.





Conduct at Library Premises

Library users must comply with all directions given to them by library staff in the course of their duties. Standards of good conduct in public places will apply in Libraries. Undue noise or disturbance will not be permitted. 

In the event of the structure, furniture, fittings or other contents of any of the library premises being damaged or destroyed, the person responsible shall be liable for the cost of making good the damage or for replacing the articles destroyed. 

Food and drinks should be kept away from public computers and other library smart devices. Hot or messy food cannot be consumed on library premises.

Children under 12 are not permitted to consume hot drinks on library premises.

Library users are responsible for their own belongings, and items must not be left unattended. The Council shall have no liability in respect of the loss or theft of any personal item belonging to a library user.

Smoking, vaping and the consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs is not permitted on library premises. Any person who in the reasonable opinion of library staff is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or whose behaviour is likely to cause offence will be expelled or excluded from the library premises.

We require any person entering the building to be suitably dressed, this includes wearing tops, even during warmer weather.

Disorderly, violent, threatening or insulting behaviour including the use of indecent or offensive language towards other library users or staff members by any person, will result in that person being expelled and excluded from the library premises. If the person is aged under 16, their parent or carer will be informed.

The Team Leader Libraries reserves the right to impose a longer exclusion from library premises of three, six or twelve months. Or in exceptional circumstances a permanent exclusion may be imposed.

Photography, video or sound recording on the library premises may be undertaken only with the prior permission of the Team Leader Libraries.

No trading or sale of goods is permitted in any of the library premises, without the consent of the Team Leader Libraries.

No person other than an officer of the Council shall affix or post any poster, placard or notice to or upon any part of the library or remove any such poster, placard or notice.

Copying of certain items of stock may be arranged within the terms of current copyright legislation, and payment for this work will be charged at the prevailing rate set by the Council. 

Members of the public should not violate copyright laws by unauthorised reproduction or distribution of copyright or licensed materials in any format.

Except with the consent of a staff member, no person shall cause or allow any dog (other than a working dog accompanying a disabled person) or any other animal belonging to them, or under their control to enter or remain in the library. 

No person shall bring in any wheeled conveyance other than wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs, or prams.

Children and Young People
Parents and carers are responsible for the supervision and behaviour of their children at all times within the library premises. Children aged seven years and under must be accompanied by a parent or adult with parental responsibility when visiting the library premises. 

The library is a busy environment and can be hazardous for children. Library staff cannot accept responsibility for the safety of unaccompanied children whilst visiting the library. Children aged between eight and twelve must not be left unaccompanied by a parent or carer for long periods of time.

Parents and adults with parental responsibility must ensure that if their children are left in the care of library staff for an organised activity, they behave in a manner considered reasonable and appropriate. Library staff will be entitled to remove any child not behaving in an appropriate manner from an organised activity. 

Public Access Computers and Smart Devices

Any person may use public access computers and other library smart devices within the library premises. However, if they are aged 11 or under, they must be accompanied by a parent or other adult with parental responsibility.
If they are not a borrower, they will need to show identification and apply for temporary public computer access. 

Library users using internet and computer facilities and devices must abide by the Acceptable Use Policy. They should not access, download, transmit or print any obscene, offensive or illegal material. 

Library staff reserve the right to terminate any internet connection, which, in their reasonable opinion, does not meet this requirement. 
Any contravention of these terms of use may result in access to internet and computer facilities being withdrawn. 

Where it is suspected that a criminal act or acts has taken place, the Council shall immediately refer an internet user to the police and shall provide details to the police of all information accessed. 

Library users using internet and computer facilities should end their session promptly when requested to do so by library staff.

The Acceptable Use Policy is available from all library premises, online and on all public access computers

The use of personal mobile devices must not disturb other library users. Headphones should be used or the sound muted. Phone and conference calls should be taken away from busy areas.


Access to Library Premises 

The library and all public departments thereof shall be open every day except Wednesday, Sundays, Public Holidays and such other days as the Council may from time to time appoint.

The designated opening hours for the library premises will be displayed at the premises and online.

No member of the public shall enter or remain in any part of library premises identified for staff or private use.

No member of the public shall remain in the library after an emergency situation has been made known to them. 

Designated areas of library premises may be hired for a fee, for community, cultural, educational or social purposes. The amount of such payment shall be determined by the Council. Bookings are covered by separate “Library Meeting Rooms – Conditions of Hire”. Such uses shall be controlled by means of a written agreement between the user and the Council.

Expulsion and Exclusion

Library staff acting on behalf of the Team Leader Libraries may, if they have reasonable grounds for believing that a person has contravened or is about to contravene any of these Management Rules, expel that person from the premises to which the Management Rule applies.

A person who has, in respect of a particular premises, persistently contravened or attempted to contravene these Management Rules and is, in the opinion of the Team Leader Libraries, likely to contravene them again, may be excluded permanently. 

The Council may, at its absolute discretion, alter these Management Rules or any part of them from time to time, and make and enforce such other Management Rules.



Revised and updated 28th July 2025