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Library Regulations

GENERAL RULES

 

  1. All readers must enter and leave the Library through the Main Entrance.
  2. Entrance into the Library building shall be upon the production of an acceptable identification. The Library shall reserve the right not to serve any person without an ID.
  3. The following should not be taken into the Library: bags, brief cases, hats, top coats, umbrellas, radios, walkman cassettes / CDs, musical equipment of any kind and any other items as may be determined by the Librarian.
  4. Use of cell phones, smoking, eating and drinking is prohibited. This includes entering the Library whilst drunk.
  5. Library Guards and other Library Staff have the right to inspect any Library user within the Library building at any time.
  6. All publications, including personal books being taken out of the Library, must be shown to the Guard on duty at the “EXIT” desk who will check the date labels of all outgoing Library books and other materials before they are taken out.
  7. No person who already has any overdue material from the Library may borrow a publication or item from it.
  8. Leaving of personal valuable items such as calculators, money purses, watches, etc., shall be at owner’ risk.
  9. Booking of reading space in the Library is not acceptable. Library staff are mandated to remove books and other  materials used for such purposes.
  10. Movement of Library stock of materials from proper areas to other areas for selfish ends will incur severe punishment, based on the Librarian’s discretion.
  11. All library users will be responsible for any item appearing in their Reader’s Tickets.
  12. Library Reader’s Tickets are not transferrable, i.e., they cannot be used  at any other Library apart from the home Library and by no other users.
  13. The Librarian reserves the right to withdraw or refuse Library facilities to anyone who contravenes these Library Regulations.
  14. The Librarian reserves the right to restrict some services to certain categories of users.
  15. Users shall declare any computer hardware pieces they bring into the Library with Library Security.

 

OFFENCES

 

  1. Any person who removes any Library item or any part thereof from the Library without permission shall be guilty of theft.
  2. Any person who receives or retains any Library material which he or she knows, or ought to know, or has reason to believe to have been   stolen from the Library, shall be guilty of an offence.
  3. Any person who mutilates marks or disfigures any Library materials shall be guilty of an offense.
  4. Any person who makes noise in the Library or acts in any manner that disturbs Library users shall be guilty of an offence.
  5. While staff and students are welcome to use Library computers, users shall be guilty of an offence if they get into sleazy sites.

 

PENALTIES

  1.  If the person who is guilty of the offences specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 above is a student of the University of  Malawi, he or she shall be liable to dismissal from the University in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed by the College of Disciplinary Committee.
  2. If the person who is guilty of the offences specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 above is a member of staff of the University of Malawi, the case shall be reported to the College Disciplinary Committee for its action.
  3. If the person who is guilty of the offence specified in paragraph 2 above is not a member staff  student of the University of Malawi, he or she shall be banned from membership of the Library for such a period as the College Principal, on recommendation of the College Librarian, may determine.
  4. If the person who is guilty of the offence specified in paragraph 3 above is a student of the University of Malawi, he or she will be liable to dismissal, in addition to payment for full cost of the item, including handling charges. How ever, the Principal may impose a lesser penalty depending on facts of the case.
  5. If the person who is guilty of the offence specified in paragraph 3 above is a member of the University of Malawi, the matter will be referred to the College Disciplinary Committee for appropriate disciplinary action.
  6. If the person who is guilty of the offence specified in paragraph 3above is an outsider, the Principal of the College shall impose an appropriate penalty on recommendation of the College Librarian.
  7. Any person who is guilty of the offence specified in paragraphs 4 and 5 above, shall be liable to suspension from the use of the Library for a minimum period of three months in addition to any other penalties which may be imposed by the Principal.

 

FAILURE TO RETURN BORROWED MATERIALS ON TIME AND DATES DUE

 

  1. Any person who fails to return any item in general circulation shall pay a fine of Twenty Kwacha (MK20.00) per item per day until the item is returned or the person indicates that he or she has lost it.
  2. Any person who loses a Library item shall pay for the full cost of replacement of the lost item, including 25% for handling and other incidental charges.
  3. Any person who fails to return to the Library any Library item which has been duly recalled within four days from the date on which the recall is made shall pay a fine of Twenty Kwacha (MK20.00) per item per day.
  4. Any person who fails to return any short loan / reserve item shall be required to pay Twenty Kwacha (MK20.00) per hour.

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

  1. Any Library user who loses his or her Reader’s  Ticket(s) may be  issued with replacement Ticket(s) provided he or she pays for the replacement Ticket(s) at the rate of Forty Kwacha (MK40.00) per ticket.
  2. Examination results of any student, who owes money to the University of Malawi as a result of a fine or fines imposed under these Regulations, shall be withheld until such a fine or fines are paid in full.
  3. The fines provided for under these Regulations are subject to revision by the University of Malawi Library Committee from time to time, provided that Library users shall be notified of any revisions through a public notice.
  4. These regulations supersede any other library rules in force in the University of Malawi, whether general or specific.

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