NATIONAL MALTA LIBRARY ġ S.L.92.03 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 92.03
NATIONAL MALTA LIBRARY REGULATIONS 
15th February, 1938
GOVERNMENT NOTICE 82 of 1938 as amended by: Government
Notices 522 of 1939 and 357 of 1950; and Legal Notices 18 of 1974 and 24
of 1989.
Title.
Regulations.
Purpose of library.
and studying.
Persons, however, under sixteen years of age may only be
allowed to use certain rooms in the library, if furnished with a
ticket issued to them by the Librarian. This ticket shall be liable to
be withdrawn, permanently or for a time fixed by the Librarian,
whenever in his opinion the holder of the ticket does not behave
properly in the library.
Separate reading 
room.
3. A separate reading room may be reserved for ladies.
Application for 
perusal of a book 
or manuscript.
Amended by:
L.N. 18 of 1974.
4. For the perusal of a book or manuscript, application is to
be made to one of the library attendants, to whom clear indications
of the book or manuscript desired should be given on a form
provided for the purpose.
Books to be 
returned to the 
attendant.
5. After perusal, books or manuscripts are to be returned to
the attendant and not left on a table or returned to the shelves.
Exception is made in the case of such books of reference as are
placed on special shelves for the purpose.
Refusal to issue 
books by the 
Librarian.
6. The Librarian may refuse to issue such books or
manuscripts which he does not consider adapted to the age or the
intelligence of the persons applying for them provided that the
applicant may appeal to the Committee against such refusal.
Borrowing of 
books.
7. Books may be borrowed from the library with the
exception of - 
( a ) manuscripts, rare editions, prints, periodicals and
books difficult to replace;
( b ) books of reference which are in frequent demand;
( c ) books not yet registered and stamped in the library;
( d ) books, which, in the opinion of the Librarian, are not
in a condition to be issued.
Special 
permission.
8. Books and periodicals, but not manuscripts or prints, as
provided in regulation 7, may be lent out of the library, if a written
application, made to the Librarian, is approved by the Committee.
The Committee may lay down conditions under which the loan of
such books is to be made.
2 ġ S.L.92.03 NATIONAL MALTA LIBRARY
Persons to apply to 
the Librarian in 
order to obtain the 
loan of books.
9. A person wishing to obtain the loan of books can do so by
applying to the Librarian, who will have the name and address of
such applicant, and such further particulars as may be necessary,
entered in a special book. The Librarian may require the signature
of a surety guaranteeing to make good the loss or damage of a
borrowed book or pay the amount chargeable for the said loss or
damage.
Procedure for 
borrowing books.
10. Borrowers must sign a receipt in which their address and
particulars relating to the borrowed books are entered. At the back
of the receipt shall be printed regulations relating to the loan of
books, and the receipt shall contain a declaration that the borrower
undertakes to observe the library regulations.
Borrowers to 
return book within 
a specified period.
11. Borrowers shall return the book within seven days, or
within any period specified in writing on the receipt form.
Detaining of book 
by borrower.
12. A borrower detaining a book beyond the time allowed
becomes liable to have the privilege of taking out books withdrawn.
Damage to books 
and property of the 
library.
13. Any person who damages any book or property of the
library shall be liable to pay its value, and, in addition, the
Committee may impose a fine not exceeding five liri.
Persons improperly 
using the library.
14. Persons improperly using the library by refusing to observe
silence, damaging books or other library property, or disturbing
others frequenting the library, are liable to instant dismissal.
Without prejudice to any judicial proceedings which may be
undertaken, the Librarian may exclude from the library for a period
not exceeding fifteen days any person guilty of a breach of order in
the library; and that period may be extended by the Committee as
they may determine.
In the case of damage to any book or other library property,
the exclusion will hold good beyond the term of punishment until
the offender shall have paid to the Librarian a sum equal to the cost
of replacing the object damaged, or if it cannot be replaced, a sum
equal to the estimated valve of the object.
Opening hours of 
the library.
Substituted by:
G.N. 522 of 1939;
G.N. 357 of 1950;
L.N. 18 of 1974;
L.N. 24 of 1989.
15. (1)  The Library shall be open to the public as follows -
( a ) From the 1st October of any year to the 15th June of
the next following year:
From Monday to Friday - from 8.15a.m. to
5.45p.m.
Saturday - from 8.15a.m. to 1.15p.m.
( b ) From the 16th June to the 30th September of any year:
From Monday to Saturday - from 8.15a.m. to
1.15p.m.
(2) The library will be closed on Sundays and public holidays.
The Librarian may, with the approval of the Minister responsible
for Public Libraries, direct that the library, or any part thereof, be
closed for any specific period not exceeding fifteen consecutive
days.
