1. The Rushden Public Library is a society established for the purposes of literature and science exclusively. The Library Committee shall have general charge of the Library, and shall be responsible for the safe keeping of the books and of all the property belonging thereto.

2. The Library is supported in part by a rate levied in accordance with the Public Libraries Act, and in part by voluntary contributions of money, and gifts of books and periodicals.

3. No alteration shall be made in the Rules of the Rushden Public Library except at a general meeting of the Committee convened for that purpose.

4. No person shall be admitted who is in a state of intoxication, nor shall any loud conversation or smoking be permitted in the rooms, nor shall any person be allowed to partake of refreshments therein.

5. No person shall be allowed to pass within the Counters or other Enclosures or take any books from the shelves except by permission of the Librarian.

6. The lending Library shall be open for the issue and receipt of books on Tuesday and Saturday evenings from 6 to 8 o’clock and on Thursday afternoon from 3 to 4 o’clock. No admission to the bookshelves shall be allowed after 8 o’clock. The Library shall be closed on Christmas Day and such other days as the Committee may from time to time appoint. (Times later altered to every evening from 6 to 8 o’clock)

7. Books shall be borrowed for home reading only by persons over 12 years of age who are rated, resident or employed in the Urban District of Rushden, or who are qualified under Rule 11. Every properly qualified borrower shall be entitled to select books from the shelves, but the Librarian has power to exclude messengers who may not be considered competent.

8. Any ratepayer of the Urban District of Rushden may borrow books on his or her own responsibility, but must first obtain a guarantee from a duly qualified person as defined in Rule 8, and must sign a Borrower’s Ticket on a form provided for that purpose.

9. Other residents and non-resident employees in the Urban District may borrow books, but must first obtain a guarantee from a duly qualified person as defined in Rule 8, and must sign a Borrower’s Ticket on a form provided by the Librarian. Anyone resident or employed in the Urban District unable to obtain the guarantee of a qualified person may borrow books on leaving a deposit of ten shillings with the Librarian.

10. The application and guarantee form, duly signed, must be delivered to the Librarian, and if, on examination, it is found correct, the Borrower’s Ticket or Voucher will be issued one day after (excluding Sundays) but will only be delivered to the Borrower in person.

11. In accordance with Section 11 of the Public Libraries Act, 1892, the Committee shall lend Books to persons other than those duly qualified under Rules 7, 8 and 9, who pay a quarterly subscription of one shilling, payable in advance, but such Borrowers must conform in every respect to all the Rules of the Library, and shall have no privileges other than those possessed by the other Borrowers.

12. All Tickets and Vouchers must be renewed annually, each ticket and Voucher being reckoned available for one year from date of issue. Borrowers and their Guarantors shall be held responsible for all books taken out on their Tickets, so that care should be taken to have them cancelled and renewed when they expire. A Borrower’s Ticket shall not be transferable. A Borrower losing his Ticket may have a new one on payment of 2d.

13. Borrowers must return each volume lent within 14 days. A fine of 1d. per week, or portion of a week, is recoverable for each volume kept beyond that period. Books must be produced for the purpose of renewal, but may be taken out again if not bespoken by another member.

14. Borrowers or their Guarantors shall be required to pay the amount of loss or damage done to Books while in their possession, or to procure New Copies or series of equal value; but in the latter case the person supplying the new Copy shall be entitled to the damaged Copy or series on depositing the new one.

15. Borrowers should endeavour to return their Books personally, but when this cannot be conveniently done, they must employ responsible messengers able to deliver their messages and to take due care of the Books.

16. No Book will be issued to any person residing in a house in which there is an infectious disease; nor shall any person having a Book permit the same to be read by anyone suffering from an infectious disease. A Borrower resident in an infected house will be required to at once notify the Librarian.

17. In wet weather, Borrowers are required to protect the Books during their passage to and from the Library, and on all occasions to keep the Books clean. Any Borrower writing in, or otherwise defacing a Book belonging to the Library, will be suspended from using the Library for such time as the Committee may decide. The earliest opportunity should be taken of reporting damage or injury done to Books, otherwise Borrowers will be held responsible for any damage noticed when the Books are returned.

18. Any change in the residence of Borrowers or their Guarantors, or any withdrawal of guarantee must be forthwith intimated to the Librarian.

19. Borrowers leaving the Urban District, or ceasing to use the Library, are required to have their Tickets cancelled by the Librarian, otherwise they will be held responsible for any Books taken out on such Tickets.

20. The Librarian shall have power to suspend the use of the Ticket of any Borrower, to limit the admissions at any time, and to refuse Books to any reader who shall neglect to comply with any of these Rules and Regulations; but such Borrower shall have the right to appeal to the Library Committee who shall decide all disputes.

21. Dogs and Bicycles must not be brought within the Buildings, and when left outside must be so placed as not to encumber the entrance.

22. Upon every Book that may be presented to the Committee, a label shall be placed, stating the name of the donor, and the date of presentation.

23. The Reading Room shall be open to all persons over 16 years of age, from 10am to 10pm on every Weekday. It shall be closed on Christmas Day, and other such days as the Committee may from time to time appoint.

24. The use of Ink is not permitted, but Extracts or Copies of Drawings may be made in pencil.

25. Any Newspaper in use which is wanted by another reader must be given up within ten minutes to the person giving notice.

1. The Rushden Public Library is a society established for the purposes of literature and science exclusively. The Library Committee shall have general charge of the Library, and shall be responsible for the safe keeping of the books and of all the property belonging thereto.

Other rules found on miscellaneous documents