PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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RULES OF THE PLYMOUTH FREE LIBRARY, 1876
Naturally various rules were laid down for the use of the library. The newsroom, where the daily and weekly newspapers could be read, was open to all over the age of 14 years. However, 'No one who is in a state of intoxication, or who persists in engaging in audible conversation, or in partaking of refreshments therein, or is guilty of any misconduct, will be allowed to remain in the building'. Rule 5 provided that: 'Persons enrolled as burgesses of the borough of Plymouth, or donors of £5 and upwards, shall be entitled to borrow books for home reading, on their own responsibility, on signing acceptance of these rules, on a form which shall be kept for the purpose. Persons not so enrolled, or not otherwise eligible, shall be required to obtain the signature of one burgess to the following voucher, which must be renewed annually:- I, the undersigned, being a burgess of the borough of Plymouth, declare that I believe .......... occupation .......... aged ..........of No. .......... to be a person to whom books may be safely entrusted for perusal; and I hereby undertake to replace, or pay the value of any book belonging to the Corporation of Plymouth, which shall be lost or materially injured by the said borrower. This engagement can be withdrawn from by written notice, and in any case the guarantee expires at the end of a year. The voucher form may be had on application to the librarian, must be left at the Library filled up two clear days before the first issue of books to the person recommended, and on being found correct, a borrower's ticket will be delivered to the person so recommended entitling him or her to borrow books, subject to the rules and regulations in force for the time being. The sum of one penny shall be charged for each ticket issued, to cover the cost. These tickets are not transferable, and must be returned to be cancelled in the event of the borrower leaving the town, or ceasing to use the Library. The borrowers are likewise, as at the British Museum and all Free Libraries, required to sign the Library-book, assenting to the rules. Application for books are to be made for on proper forms; and if any book is soiled, written in, or otherwise injured, or if any book be lost, the borrower or his guarantor must immediately replace the book, or the set to which it may belong, or pay for the damage or loss. When a new copy of a book or set of books is deposited or paid for, for one that has been injured, the person depositing or paying for them will be entitled to the damaged copy or remaining volumes, each volume being stamped "Sold as damaged". The rules continued: 'Borrowers may propose books to be added to the Library, and such propositions the committee will consider'. The as to the reference department: 'Books may be obtained to read in the Library by singing a reader's ticket, which may be had on application. This signature will be considered as an assent to the general rules and regulations of the Library; but the committee recommend regular readers to provide themselves with a reader's medal, price twopence, which will render the forms unnecessary. This medal must be presented on every application for a book, and will be returned when the book is handed back to the attendant. Books so obtained are not under any circumstances to be taken out of the Library'. Mr J Shelley designed the Reader's Medal and a book plate that was presented with it. Sources:
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