the library lending facility

borrowing

  1. We are open during normal Waterston House visitor hours. Please ring or email first if possible to ensure someone will be available to help you if required and to check access (occasionally, meetings are held in the library).
  2. Books (no more than two items) may be borrowed by SOC members for a maximum of two months. The decision to lend books may be determined by the value of individual publications. Whilst on loan, the item is the responsibility of the person to whom it is issued, who must ensure that it is returned to the Library promptly and undamaged. Any replacement or maintenance costs must be met by the borrower.
  3. Journals are not lent out as whole issues, but individual papers may be copied for personal use by both members and non-members - see photocopying and scanning below.
  4. The library catalogue is available to view on the main library page. Items that are not available for borrowing are flagged as such. This applies especially to major handbooks, field guides, encyclopaedias and equivalent material. More valuable items are also restricted to reference only.
  5. All Bird Reports, Ringing Reports and Bird Observatory Reports are for reference only, although individual papers or sections may be photocopied or scanned.
  6. Items on loan must on no account be taken overseas and we regret we are unable to lend to overseas members.
  7. Borrowed books will be issued with a slip indicating the date by which they should be returned. Please ensure they are returned promptly.
  8. The SOC reserves the right to refuse and/or withdraw the lending facility if the rules are not followed.

ordering items

If it is not convenient for you to visit personally, items may be requested by phoning or emailing us at Waterston House. Details of titles/authors should be as complete as possible in order to help staff and volunteers. Ordered items will be posted to members by Royal Mail standard packet/parcel services (unless requested otherwise). For a request which involves searching for and copying many scattered references, we would prefer members to visit the library in person.

The borrower must pay for postage and packing prior to the order being dispatched - see payment details below.

Every effort is made to pack items securely when dispatching, and it is expected that they will be returned with similar care. Jiffy bags are ideal. Please return all borrowed items to The Librarian at Waterston House.

photocopying and scanning

Photocopies and electronic scans will be supplied with a Copyright Declaration Form, to be completed and returned to Waterston House, in person or by post/email. It is most important that you declare that the copies will be used non-commercially. (Copying for commercial use may only be undertaken with prior permission from the copyright holder.) Please note that Copyright allows the copying of up to one chapter, entire article or 5% of the publication, whichever is the greater.

Current charges are 5p per page for the first 20 pages, and 10p per page thereafter. (See payment details below.)

payment

Payments can be made in cash, by credit/debit card, or by cheque (payable to "SOC"). If not visiting in person, you can make credit/debit card payments by telephone, or post a cheque.

If the cost is nominal, stamps (preferably 2nd class) may be accepted in lieu of cash/card/cheque payment.