Open Access

Registered Open Access users are subject to the following terms and conditions of use:

• you must have a current membership in one of the LibrariesWest library services: South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Dorset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole or Somerset
• you must have no history of misusing library services or been banned from using Open Access within the LibrariesWest group in the last year
• if you owe £10 or over on your account, your access to some library systems, including Open Access, will be restricted until your account is under £10.
• do not let anyone else use your library card to access the library or share your PIN
• each adult must be a registered Open Access user to enter the library outside of staffed hours
• all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied at all times by a parent or carer who will be responsible for their safety
• doors open when anyone walks towards them from inside, so please be vigilant if you have young children with you
• from the child’s 16th birthday they should complete an induction and register for Open Access in their own name
• when entering or leaving the library please take all reasonable steps to ensure no one else enters at the same time. You will be held responsible for the behaviour of anyone you intentionally allow in
• if you feel uncomfortable due to the behaviour of others using Open Access, you may report it by email to openaccess@southglos.gov.uk, use the Help phone, or during office hours phone the contact centre yourself on 01454 868006
• make sure you leave the library as directed by the pre-recorded messages and dimming of lights when the service closes. A pre-recorded announcement will be played 15 minutes before closing and again 5 minutes before closing. The lights will begin to dim during this time.
• any loanable item taken from the library must be borrowed through the self-service kiosks
• please use all equipment and services responsibly and respect others using the space. Only laptops, mobile phones and tablets may be charged using library sockets. Please do not leave any trailing leads. Do not unplug any library equipment
• groups will continue to use the library during Open Access hours
• as staff are not present other people may be using the library but are unable to assist you – individual staff members may appear, especially in the morning to set the library up and again may not be able to help.
• use of the library when unstaffed is at your own risk, there is CCTV installed for your safety which monitors the library 24/7 with images recorded. This is for your safety. Windows will not be open and must remain closed for security reasons
• any infringement of these conditions, breach of the library byelaws or misuse of libraries during staffed or Open Access hours may result in the removal of Open Access from your library membership
• we reserve the right to update these terms and conditions as required, and will notify registered users via email and update our website at www.southglos.gov.uk/OpenAccess

For data protection information visit LibrariesWest

Only library members who have completed an induction session are registered for the
service. Anyone who has a history of misusing library services in the 12 months leading
up to wanting to register for Open Access will be refused.

Heating and lighting are automated, and CCTV installed with images recorded.

However, use of the library when unstaffed is at your own risk and we ask you to please
consider any health or other issues that need to be taken into account.

The main entrance doors will automatically open when you leave the library and if there is a power failure or fire alarm then they can be pushed open. Our security service is alerted when there is power failure, a fire door is opened, or a fire alarm goes off and if the main door remains open for 3 minutes.

There is an emergency phone available which you are shown during the induction session.

Email OpenAccess@southglos.gov.uk to report any issues or concerns or give us
feedback on the service; or you can visit a library during staffed hours and speak to a
member of staff.

There are no toilet facilities during Open Access (apart from at Bradley Stoke and Kingswood, where toilet facilities are in the communal area during normal building opening hours).

During Open Access hours, the Open Access panel screen says: ‘Welcome.
Scan your library card below.’

Hold your library membership barcode (on your membership card or LibrariesWest app on your mobile phone) between 10cms and 15cms under the black Open Access box so that the red line can read the barcode.

When prompted on the screen use the keypad to enter your PIN and press ‘Enter’. After a few seconds the doors will open and you can enter the library.

If your card does not work this may be because there is a 15 minute period between the library closing if it has been open with staff earlier in the day and Open Access becoming available. Check times above.

Check the message on the Open Access box display panel:

• if it says “Library Open” staff are available and you do not need to scan your card to enter
• if it is blank or showing an error message, Open Access is not currently working at that library
• if, after scanning your card, it shows the message “No entry” this means either you are not registered for the Open Access service or there is a problem with your card. To resolve email libraries@southglos.gov.uk or visit a library during staffed hours and speak to a member of staff.

If you have set up the LibrariesWest app on your smartphone, you can find a digital barcode under ‘my barcode’. Scan the barcode and enter your PIN to gain entry to the library.

If you have forgotten your PIN go to www.librarieswest.org.uk, select log in, use the forgot my PIN option and an email will be sent to the email address we hold for you so you can reset your PIN.

If you cannot do this call our contact centre on 01454 868006 between 8.45am and 5pm Monday to Thursday; 8.45am and 4.30pm Fridays or email libraries@southglos.gov.uk or visit a library during staffed hours and speak to a member of staff

The LibrariesWest privacy notice.