Blegen Rules

The Blegen Library is non-circulating.  No book may leave the library.

Members and visitors all abide by the same general rules, with the exception that members have daily access to the library and occupy assigned seats in the library.  Visitors may use the library during open hours.

INFORMATION FOR VISITORS

Visitors’ hours:  Monday-Friday 8:30-21:00 ; Saturday 9:00-14:30 .  Shortened summer hours are usually in effect in August.  The library staff will normally be available to provide assistance from 8:30-17:00 Monday through Friday.

Library cards:  Members are issued a card the American School which serves as an identification card and a library card.  Long-term readers who are not members are issued blue cards, and short-term readers who are not members are issued pink cards.  All visitors with the exception of members of the British School at Athens must submit 2 small recent photographs of themselves and some proof of their eligibility to use the library (members of the BSA may use their BSA cards to enter the library). New visitors’ cards are issued on Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. and on Mondays and Thursdays from 14:30-15:30.  Blue cards are renewed October 1st of every year; renewal cards are issued for three years.  Proof of current eligibility should be presented when renewing cards.

Sign-in:  Visitors are required to register in the visitors’ book upon entry and exit.

Visitors may not use the Computer Room, even if accompanied by a member.

RULES FOR MEMBERS AND VISITORS

Do not bring any of the following items into the library:  handbags, briefcases, plastic bags, computer cases, mobile telephones, food or drink of any kind except water bottles.  Please note that mobile phones may not be taken into the library even if they are turned off.  Violators may have their library cards revoked.

Lockers are available for temporary storage of these items and keys may be obtained from the receptionist in exchange for a library card.  Please use a locker only during the time you are actually in the buildings, and return the key when you leave.  Readers must present their papers and bags to the receptionist for search when leaving the library.

Signing out books to tables and carrels:  No book should ever be removed from a shelf unless a sign-out card is completely and legibly filled out and put in place of the book.  Sign-out cards are available at the ends of the stacks.  Cards already on the shelves must not be removed from their places. Failure to check out books properly may result in forfeiture of library privileges.

Members may sign out up to 20 books at a time to a carrel or table.  Books may be checked out from a member’s carrel for up to a day by placing a sign-out card in place of the book.  Please return the book to the carrel the same day.  Members are requested to keep their books upright between bookends to facilitate locating them on the desk. Members and staff are requested to reshelve their books if they will be away from the library for more than one week.

There are visitors’ tables on each floor of the library.  All are clearly marked with pink signs; visitors should use only these tables.  Anyone using these tables (visitors or members) must reshelve their books before leaving the library.

Books from the New Books Shelves, Reserve Shelves, and Reference Tables, and unbound periodicals (fascicles) should be consulted at the tables on the first floor of the New Extension, and not taken to other parts of the library.

For access to the Rare Book Room please see the receptionist.

Photocopying is limited to 150 photocopies per month per person for visitors and 150 photocopies for members. Cards valid for 50 or 100 copies can be purchased from the receptionist.  Certain materials may not be photocopied (maps, fold-outs, oversize books, damaged or brittle books):  please observe the restrictions posted by the photocopier.  If you are not sure whether a certain book can be photocopied, please consult the library staff.  Visitors should complete photocopying 15 minutes before closing time to allow time to reshelve the books.

Laptop computers may be used throughout the library.

Smoking, food, and drinking (except for water bottles) are not allowed anywhere in the library.

Please avoid talking in the library.

Vandalism of library books will result in loss of library privileges.  Underlining and writing notes in books in pen, pencil, or highlighter is absolutely forbidden.  Please do not use adhesive post-it notes to mark pages because they can tear pages or lift the print.  Do not leave one open book stacked upon another.  Books checked out to carrels and tables should be supported by bookends to protect the bindings and the text.  Please keep windows and curtains closed to protect the books.

Your cooperation in abiding by these rules is essential to the smooth opration of the Blegen Library.

Please do not hesitate to ask the library staff for assistance of any kind.