Rules & Regulations

Guidelines for Reference Book Circulation Area (Library on Huaihai Road)

Notice: The following rules and opening hours apply to the Reference Book Circulation Area of Shanghai Library. All readers shall comply with the relevant regulations.

Rules for Use and Borrowing

1. Readers may enter the Reference Book Circulation Area with a valid Shanghai Library reader's card. This area provides reading and loan services for books from the library's closed stacks (for periodicals from the closed stacks, please proceed to the service desk in the Periodicals Reading Area on the third floor). For borrowing books from this area, the reader's card must have the borrowing function for reference materials.

2. The closed-stack books available for reading in this area are publications dated after May 1949. The materials available for loan include books shown in the library catalog system as "reference loan materials" (published within the last 25 years). To borrow books, please proceed to the catalog hall to request the books and then retrieve them from the comprehensive service desk. Each reader's card can be used to request a maximum of 4 books for reading or 6 books for borrowing.

3. The reference books reading room provides open-shelf reading and loan services for foreign language new books, donated books in the Friendship Library, reference books (for reading only), etc. Readers may take a maximum of 2 books at a time for reading, and when finishing reading, please place them in the book return cart.

4. The closed stacks reading room provides reservation-based reading services for materials located in library storages outside this library. Readers can retrieve reserved materials for reading by presenting their reader's card and reservation slip upon receiving notification of availability.

5. Please return reference reading materials before the library closes on the same day. Overdue fees of 5 yuan per book per day will be charged for items not returned on time.

6. The loan period for reference books is 28 days. Renewal of 28 days is allowed once if the loan period has not yet expired. If during the loan period, the book is on hold for another reader, renewal is not available. Readers who hold overdue books or have outstanding late fees must return the overdue materials and settle the late fees before borrowing additional materials. A late fee of 0.5 yuan per day per item is applicable for overdue returns. In the event of accidental loss of borrowed books and periodicals, readers can compensate by purchasing a new book with the same ISBN and edition, and pay a document processing fee of 10 yuan. If it is not possible to compensate with a new book, compensation will be made in accordance with the "Interim Measures for Compensation for Materials Borrowed from Shanghai Library".

7. Please take care of the library materials. Do not bring colored or sugary drinks into this reading area, and refrain from annotating or underlining the pages. Folding, staining, cutting, tearing, or swapping pages is strictly prohibited. Violators will be dealt with according to the relevant provisions of the "Interim Measures for Compensation for Materials Borrowed from Shanghai Library".

8. Please use power outlets only in designated areas. Do not connect external power sources without authorization, and pay attention to electrical safety.

9. Please maintain silence within the library and keep your mobile communication devices on silent mode. If you need to discuss or communicate, you may proceed to the study room in the Reference Book Circulation Area on the first floor.

10. Please respect intellectual property rights, and engage in scanning, copying, and other activities based on the principle of fair use.

11. If readers need assistance, please contact the librarians, and we will be dedicated to serving you.