Policies and regulations

1. The Library service is designed to support the learning and research needs of the students and staff of Birmingham Newman University. A core role of the Library is to share resources and space. You can read about the services provided by the Library in our Service Expectations. To provide an effective service to all library users, there are policies and licence terms you must observe. Where you do not respect these policies or terms, we may take disciplinary action. 

2. Membership of Birmingham Newman University Library is open to the following groups of people: 
   1. Students and staff of Birmingham Newman University.
   2. Visiting scholars registered as members of the University.
   3. Staff and students of other UK universities who are registered through the SCONUL Access scheme.
   4. People who join as part of the library’s external membership scheme.
   5. Pupils, aged 16-18 years old, who are eligible to join our Revision Space scheme. 
   6. Members of the West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy, whose library collection is housed on Level 1 of the Library.

Note: External members, Revision Space scheme members and visitors do not have access to the computers, electronic networks or electronic resources belonging to or licensed to Birmingham Newman University. However, visitors' Wi-Fi is available throughout the Library. 

3. People who are not members of the Library and/or who do not have a Birmingham Newman ID card can only enter the building during staffed hours. They must follow the same behavioural expectations as full members. If non-members behave inappropriately, they will be told to leave the Library by a member of Library, University or Security staff. 

4. Unaccompanied under-18s are only allowed in the Library under the terms of the Revision Space scheme, or by prior agreement with a Library manager. 

5. As a member of or visitor to Birmingham Newman University Library, you accept the following terms and conditions when you use Library services:
   1. Borrowing
      1. You will not remove materials from the Library unless they have been issued to your library account. 
      2. You will return, or renew, library materials according to the borrowing rules. 
      3. You will not use any Birmingham Newman ID card except your own. 
      4. You will not allow anyone else to use your Birmingham Newman ID card. 
      5. You will pay any fines resulting from the late return of library materials. 
      6. You will pay the Library to replace any library material that you do not return or that is lost or damaged while in your possession. 
   2. Behaviour
   1. You will treat all other library users, including staff, with respect and consideration. 
   2. You will conduct yourself appropriately in accordance with Library zoning and following the guidance on signs displayed in the Library. 
   3. You will always carry your Birmingham Newman ID card with you. 
   4. You will show your Birmingham Newman ID card to a member of staff when asked. 
   5. You will move to a more appropriate zone of the Library, or leave the Library entirely, if instructed to do so by a member of staff. 
   6. You will use headphones to take video calls and will not take video or phone calls in Quiet or Silent zones. 
   7. You will ensure that any children under your supervision behave themselves appropriately in accordance with the Library zoning, and you will not leave them unsupervised. 
   8. You will leave the facilities clean and tidy, clearing any waste to the appropriate bins. 
   9. You will treat furniture with respect and will not intentionally cause damage to library property or facilities. 
   10. You will not stay in the Library outside of its scheduled opening hours. 
   11. You will not leave belongings unattended. 
   12. You will not bring hot food into the Library. 
   13. You will not use your Birmingham Newman ID card to let non-members into the building. 
   14. You will not use the library as a place to sleep. 
   15. You will comply with the University’s General Conditions of Use of Computing and Network Facilities (PDF) and Information Security Policy  when you use the University’s computers or networks. 
   16. You will not share your usernames or passwords with anyone else, and will not share materials with those who are not entitled to use them. 
   17. You will comply with the licence terms and conditions of our e-resources. More information about this can be found on our E-resources Licences page. 

6. If you breach these terms, you will face penalties or enforcement actions based on the nature of the breach and your membership category.  

   1. For students, these penalties reflect those laid out in Birmingham Newman’s Student Disciplinary Procedure, which include: 
      1. Requirement to leave the premises for a set period. 
      2. Written reprimand. 
      3. Final warning letter. 
      4. A fine of up to £100. 
      5. Compensation award for damage to or loss of University property of up to £500. 
   2. For Birmingham Newman University staff, these penalties include
      1. Requirement to leave the premises for a set period. 
      2. Being reported to your line manager and/or the Human Resources department for disciplinary action. 
   3. For members of the SCONUL Access scheme, these penalties include: 
      1. Requirement to leave the premises for a set period. 
      2. Withdrawal of your Birmingham Newman University Library membership and permanent ban from the Library. 
      3. Report of your breach to your home institution, which may result in the permanent withdrawal of your SCONUL Access membership. 
   4. For external members and members of the Revision Space scheme, these penalties include: 
      1. Requirement to leave the premises for a set period. 
      2. A disciplinary fine of up to £100.
      3. Withdrawal of your Birmingham Newman University Library membership and permanent ban from the Library. For external members, no return of membership fee is allowed. 
      4. In the case of Revision Space scheme members, your breach will be reported to your school. 

7. Breaches of the University’s General Conditions of Use of Computers and Network Facilities will be reported to the Director of IT and/or the University Secretary for further disciplinary action. 

8. If you ever feel unsafe in the Library, please contact Security using the details on this page. For information about what to do if you experience harassment at University, please visit the Disclose and Support pages. 

Please review the Library User Policy (PDF) before visiting.

This version published: 05/09/2025.