Library rules of service
IN IVAN VAZOV PUBLIC LIBRARY PLOVDIV

SECTION ONE
GENERAL

Art. 1. These rules of service of the Ivan Vazov Public Library Plovdiv hereinafter referred to as "Rules", govern the relations of the "Ivan Vazov" Public Library, hereinafter referred to as "the Library", with its patrons. The Library is a cultural institution that provides library and information services and delivers library items to the patrons.
Art. 2 The Library provides access to knowledge, information, and provides for lifelong learning through a variety of resources and services. The Library is accessible to all members of society regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, language, special needs, political beliefs, economic or labor status or educational level.
Art.3. (1) The working hours of the Library are determined by order of the Director.
(2) The working hours of the lending department, the reading rooms, and the patron services are specified in Appendix 4 of these Rules.
(3) The Library does not work with patrons on the last Thursday of the month from 08.00 to 12.00.
(4) The Library is closed during official public holidays of the respective calendar year.

SECTION TWO
PATRONS REGISTRATION

Art. 4. Every citizen has the right to use the services of the Library. For this purpose, they must register as a patron, according to the terms of these Rules.
Art. 5 The relationships between the Library and the patrons are settled in accordance with the provisions of the Public Libraries Act and the Law on Obligations and Contracts and are established by the act of issuing a personal library card.
Art.6. When the Library provides patrons with library, bibliographic, and information services or information resources with a return obligation, a contract is enacted between the two parties - a loan for servicing under Art. 243, 244, 247-249 of the Obligations and Contracts Act. The conclusion of the contract is established by a written document - personal library card or an order slip signed by the patron.
Art. 7. (1) In order to use the Library patrons must pay a subscription fee, determined by order of the Director. All patrons are required to present their cards at all service points and on every request.
(2) The options for issuing a free library card are listed in the current Price List of the services provided by the Library.
(3) The library card is personal and is not transferable.
Art.8. Library cards are issued in the central building of the Library at Avksentiy Veleshki Str. N. 17, and at the Children's Department at Avksentiy Veleshki Street, N. 15.
Art. 9. Conditions of registration:
1. Citizens over 14 years of age are registered after presenting an ID and a photo.
2. Children up to 14 years of age are registered with an identity document of their parents or tutors.
3. When registering, Bulgarian citizens must present an identity document according to Art. 13 of the Bulgarian Personal Documents Act.
4. In order to register as library patrons, foreign citizens must present an identity document according to Art. 14 of the Bulgarian Personal Documents Act.
Art.10. Citizens who are unable to register personally on site at the Library may use its services after a registration made by a person authorized by a written document (Annex 5, Template No 7). In such cases the authorized person bears full responsibility for compliance with the rules when borrowing library documents from the Library's fund.
Art. 11. Patrons with unresolved debts to the Library cannot be re-registered.
Art. 12. Patrons must notify the Library when a change of their address of permanent residence or ID occurs.
Art. 13. The Library issues the following types of library card (Annex № 5, Form № 8):
(1) Annual Library card. It is issued for a period of 12 (twelve) consecutive months from the date of registration and entitles the patron to borrow books for home reading and to the use of other home services and services in the Library.
(2) Six months library card. It is issued for a period of 6 (six) consecutive months from the date of registration and entitles the patron to the use of library items and services only at the Library.
(3) 30-day library card. It is issued for a period of 1 (one) month from the date of registration and entitles the patron to the use of library items and services only on the library premises.
(4) One-day library card. It is issued on the day of the visit and entitles the patron to the use of library items and services only at the Library for that day.
(5) Honorary library card. It is issued for free and has unlimited validity. Issued by order of the Director.
(6) Free library card. Issued to current and retired employees and staff members of the Library.
(8) Patrons who have declared a lost or stolen card may obtain a duplicate, after paying a fine of 2.00 (two) BGN.
Art. 14. Patrons and visitors who by their actions violate the authority of the Library or distribute false information about it are not allowed to use its services or have their cards revoked for a certain period of time at the discretion of the management.
Art. 15. Upon registration, patrons are informed about the types of services, where and how to use them, as well as the obligations and responsibilities they agree to in accordance with these Rules.

SECTION THREE
LIBRARY SERVICES

Art. 16. Patrons are entitled to borrowing library items and using library services at the following service units:
1. Circulation desks;
2. Reading rooms;
3. Children's Department;
4. Public Information Center;
5. German Center;
6. American Center;
7. Training Center
Art. 17. (1) The Library provides its patrons with basic (Annex 1) and specialized (Annex 2) library services, in accordance with Art. 27 of the Public Libraries Act.
(2) The main library services are provided free of charge.
(3) The Library performs specialized paid services in accordance with the Price List of the services provided by the Library, approved by order of the Director and adopted by resolution of the Municipal Council of Plovdiv.
Art. 18. Patrons up to the age of 14 are served by the Children's Department. They use the Library services in the central building only if a parent or guardian accompanies them.
Art. 19. Patrons are entitled to receive library documents from other libraries in the country or abroad in accordance with the rules for Interlibrary Loans.
Art. 20. (1) The Library must provide conditions for servicing patrons with special needs and disadvantaged patrons.
(2) The Library is accessible for patrons with physical difficulties via a lift ramp located next to the building entrance from Ivan Vazov Str.

SECTION FOUR
BORROWING BOOKS

Art. 21(1) Only patrons registered with ID identifying their permanent residence address are entitled to borrowing books from the Library. Registration with any other type of identity document allows the patron to utilize library items and services only in the Library Building.
(2) Patrons can borrow up to 10 library items at a time.
(3) While using items from the open-stack areas, the patron must take care to retain item order.
Art. 22. (1) According to the Law on Cultural Heritage, the Compulsory deposit law of printed and other works and to announce the distributors and suppliers of media services, the Ordinance for the Preservation of Library Funds, and the Interlibrary Loan Guidelines, patrons are not permitted to borrow the following for home use:
1.Documents submitted to the Library under the Compulsory deposit law of printed and other works and to announce the distributors and suppliers of media services (with the status of Archives of Bulgarian Literature) and marked with a red label;
2.Rare and valuable documents (manuscripts, paleo-prints, incunabula, archival funds, photographs, personal collections, unique editions);
3.Reference Material Books from the reading rooms, Local History Department, Reference, Bibliographic and Information department, and documents from the Repository that are marked with a green label;
4.Cartographic publications, printed music and graphic publications from the Repository, organizational, minor and unpublished documents, patents and standards, magnetic tape films, slides and slide films, microforms, original works of art;
5.Periodicals;
6.Information resources received by Interlibrary Loan from the country and abroad.
(2) The use of documents from the Archive of Bulgarian Literature is allowed in exceptional cases and only with the permission of the Library Director.
Art. 23. (1) Library items from the Repository are made available to patrons after the submission of an order slip (Annex No. 5, Forms 1, 3). It is filled in in a straightforward and legible manner by the patrons and submitted to the Take-in-orders desk.
(2) Patrons can make up to 5 requests at a time.
(3) The delivery time for the requested items is up to 15 minutes.
(4) The deadline for the execution of the order from depot No. 0 is 30 minutes.
(5) Ordered documents are received at the loan desk and must be checked out by a librarian at the circulation desk.
Art. 24. The on-duty librarian registers the borrowed items in the patron’s account. The borrowing system is automated, the library card is electronic, the barcode on the card serves as a unique patron identifier to the system.
Art. 25 Loan periods:
1. Books, graphical publications and printed music publications from the open-stack areas: 30 days;
2. Magnetic / optical / digital media documents: 7 days;
3. Reproductions: 3 months.
Art.26 (1) The due date of the borrowed item is marked on its checkout card (if available) by the patron.
(2) The due date of a library item can be pushed back on patron request. This can be done by notifying the on-duty librarian in the Patron Registration unit within a reasonable time-frame or renewing the item online. The loan period can be extended no more than twice.
Art. 27. (1) Patrons are notified about overdue items by letter (traditional or electronic), informing them that the loan term of the borrowed items has expired. Within 30 days after receiving the first notice they can return the overdue borrowed library documents without being charged a penalty for it.
(2) In case of non-observance of the due date for returning the borrowed items, patrons must pay a fine of BGN 1.00 (one) per month plus postage expenses for the notifications sent.
Art. 28. (1) In the German Center books are borrowed with a library Book Card.
(2) Patrons of the German Center are serviced in accordance with the specific Rules of service of German Center (Annex № 6).

SECTION FIVE
USING LIBRARY ITEMS IN THE READING ROOMS

Art.29. (1) In order to use the reading rooms, patrons must present a library card and a reading seat number for the respective reading room, which is provided by the door-person. The Library has five reading rooms (Appendix 3).
(2) The use of documents in the reading room of “Special Collections” department takes place in compliance with specific requirements (Appendix 6).
Art.30. The Library items are made available to the patrons after an order slip is filled out (Annex 5, Template No 2), which is then forwarded to the Take-in-orders desk.
Art. 31. (1) Patrons present their library cards to the on-duty librarian in the reading room. The librarian keeps the cards and the order slips for the borrowed items during patrons' stay in the reading room.
(2) Patrons bringing personal books in the reading room must notify the on-duty librarian of the quantity and type of said items.
(3) Patrons have the right to exchange borrowed items between each other only after informing the on-duty librarian.
(4) Patrons have the right to use periodicals from the current year and other items located in the reading rooms without filling an order slip, but are required to strictly preserve the original stacking order.
(5) Patrons have the right to use documents from reading rooms other than the one they have received a number for from the wardrobe, but only with the knowledge and assistance of the duty librarian in the respective reading room.
(6) Fifteen (15) minutes before closing time, every patron returns all library items used in the reading room to the duty librarian and is given back their library card.
(7) Patrons can hold the borrowed items up to 10 days. If the items on hold are not used for three consecutive days, the librarian is entitled to release them.
(8) In cases where the ordered item cannot be made available to the patrons, the reason must be written on the back of the order slip: "currently borrowed by another patron", "on interlibrary loan", "missing", "for restoration", "undergoing maintenance"," currently part of an exhibition", "for staff use only ". Order slips are kept by the duty librarian. Patrons must be informed about the order outcomes no later than the end of the next work day.
Art.32. It is forbidden to bring library items out of the reading room except in the cases of authorized copying performed inside the Library and with the knowledge of the duty librarian.
Art.33. Library items can be used in Reading Room № 1 on Saturday and Sunday only if requested on the preceding Friday.

SECTION SIX
OTHER SERVICES

Art. 34. Through Interlibrary Loan the Library provides its patrons with temporary access to library items belonging to other libraries in the country and abroad and also lends its items to other libraries in the country and abroad. The Interlibrary Loan policy and procedures are established by the Code of the specialized library service Interlibrary Loan and the Rules for its application in the Library (Annex № 5, Sample № 4)
Art. 35. Internet access and use.
(1) Registered patrons are entitled to use a wired internet connection on the designated computer workstations in the Library, as well as a wireless internet connection.
(2) The use of personal laptops or other mobile devices is permitted on the territory of the Library.
(3) Patrons are not allowed to:
1. Download software, movies or music;
2. Change the configuration of library computers, install or modify software that has been already installed;
3. Use the service for political, advertising, commercial and criminal (within the meaning of the Penal Procedure Code) purposes.
(4) The computer usage time limit is 60 minutes per patron. This limit can be extended only with permission from the on-duty librarian.
(5) Patrons must finalize their work with the computers 15 minutes before closing time.
(6) Personal storage of information as a result of Internet searches occurs only in the presence of the duty librarian.
(7) When using the Internet all patrons must observe Bulgarian law. Patrons must not visit or propagate sites containing violence, pornography, human rights violations; Patrons must observe copyright and intellectual property laws.
(8) In case of non-compliance with the Internet usage rules, the duty librarian has the right to discontinue patron activity. In the case of repeated violation, the patron’s access is suspended for one to three months at the discretion of the management.
Art. 36. Reproducing library items.
(1) Reproducing of library items is only conducted within the premises of the Library, strictly observing the requirements of Art. 24 (1) (9) and (11) of the Copyright and Related Rights Act.
(2) Patrons can obtain copies (photocopies or digital copies) of library items in accordance with the procedures established by these Rules.
(3) Documents belonging to the Special Collections Department can be reproduced only after fulfilling the special requirements established by the Rules for Access to the Special Collections in the Library and Rules for the Use of the Manuscript Collection (Annex № 6).
(4) It is not allowed to photocopy:
Library documents that have undergone restoration;
Library documents published before 1945.
(5) The reproducing of library documents with patrons' own reproduction devices occurs only with permission from Patron Services, Book Repository and Interlibrary Loans Department’s Head librarian, who also assigns the location for photographing.
(6) Documents made available to the patrons via Interlibrary Loan can be reproduced only by the patron that has ordered them and within the Library building.
Art. 37. The Library offers educational services to patrons and citizens in the Training Center.
Art. 38. The Library provides exhibition space, pursuant to its annual plan of cultural events.
Art. 39. The Library performs publishing activity. The publications of Ivan Vazov Public Library can be purchased from the Library's pay office.
Art. 40. The Library performs printing, bookbinding, and other services in accordance with the Price List of the services provided by the Library. Orders are accepted at the Editorial and Publishing Department.
Art. 41. The Library rents out the following premises: Conference Hall, Training Center, Information Center, and other spaces in the Library, according to the current Price List of the services provided by the Library.

SECTION SEVEN
PATRON RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Art. 42. All patrons must:
1.Upon entering the Library present their library cards to the door-person, and upon every request by a staff member.
2. Leave their outerwear and bulky luggage in the wardrobe (luggage larger than 70/40 cm). An exception is made for musical instruments. Use of the wardrobe is compulsory and free of charge for all patrons visiting the reading rooms.
3. Not leave money and/or valuables at the wardrobe. The library is not responsible for their storage. Food items are not accepted for storage at the wardrobe.
4. Not bring food in the areas designated for patron access. Liquids (water etc.) must be carried in tightly closed bottles.
5. Persons who are visibly intoxicated or otherwise inebriated, aggressive, bearing stabbing weapons or firearms, dressed indecently or unhygienically are not allowed on library premises. Any hate speech, hostile speech or such, disrespecting ethical norms are not allowed when communicating with employees and other visitors. Refusing to comply with these basic requirements will lead to said persons being forcefully evacuated from the premises by law-enforcement officials.
6. Declare all professional recording and photographic devices upon entering the Library.
7. Maintain order and silence on the premises of the Library. All mobile devices must be used in silent mode.
8. Inspect borrowed items upon receiving them and inform the on-duty librarian in case of damage. Notify the librarian in case of missing pages.
9. Return borrowed items on time, as specified by these Rules.
10. Maintain the order and location of library items in the open-stack areas and reading rooms.
11. Use library items only in the reading rooms. For the needs of photocopying or reproducing in any other way, their removal from the reading room must occur only with permission from the on-duty librarian.
12. Preserve borrowed library items. Patrons must not damage library items, must keep the books clean, must not highlight or make notes in the margins of the pages, fold or tear pages or fragments of pages, copy illustrations or tables, write on paper placed directly over the library item.
13. Order required items by means of correctly and legibly filled order slips; Clarify beforehand any peculiarities regarding the desired items with the Consultant, the librarian at the Take-in-orders desk and the librarians from the circulation desks and the reading rooms.
14. Personally return used items to the on-duty librarian.
15. Not enter the Repository and staff-only areas.
16. Not remove catalog cards from the catalog cabinets and file cabinets, tear the labels or swap the drawers.
17. Finalize work with library items 15 minutes before closing time.
18. Upon leaving the Library, all patrons must present a token with the number of borrowed items to door-person.
19. Upon removal of library item not checked by the patron, said patron is sanctioned by temporary or permanent revocation of their library card. The duration of the sanction is established after examining the case.
20. Patrons may visit the Library’s internal departments only after a phone call from the door-person to the respective department.
21. Smoking in the Library buildings is strictly forbidden. Smoking in the surroundings takes place only at the designated smoking areas.
22. Abandoned or lost items are stored in the wardrobe for a period of 30 days and returned on request to their holders by the door-person. The library is not responsible for the storage of items after the expiry of the established time limit.
Art. 43 In the event of non-compliance with these responsibilities, the patron’s right to use the Library services is revoked for a certain period of time or permanently, depending on the extent of the violation. Once the penalty has expired, this right is restored.
Art. 44. If a patron loses or damages a library document to the point of rendering it unfit for use, the patron must:
1. Replace it with a bibliographically identical copy;
2. Replace it with another edition of the same title;
3. Replace it with a copy of the original document;
4. Replace it with a title of equivalent content and value;
5. Pay a compensation amounting to its fivefold value at market prices.
Art.45. If a patron fails to compensate the Library under Art.44, the Library obtains a writ of execution for the amount of the indemnity under the procedure of Art. 242 in connection with Art. 237 letter C of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Art.46. The revocation of the right to use the Library does not preclude the recovery of damages under Art. 44.
Art.47. Written documents with contract value between the Library and the patrons are: a library card, an order slip, and service certificates specified in the text of these Rules.
Art. 48. In the event of an infringement of the Rules by a Library employee, patrons must notify the Head of the respective Department or the Deputy Director. For unresolved infringements, patrons must inform the Library Director.
Art. 49. If there is evidence of a crime committed by a patron or visitor that violates the public order or the property of the Library, the institution must notify the specialized law-enforcement bodies to which it provides the available information and documentation for the prosecution.

SECTION EIGHT
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EMPLOYEES

Art. 50. Duties of the employees
(1)At the Wardrobe and main entrance:
1.To welcome and guide visitors and patrons of the Library;
2.Provide patrons, after they've displayed a library card, a number from the wardrobe that defines the patron's seat in the reading rooms and request the return of the numbers when leaving the Library;
3.To receive and store outerwear and bulky luggage in the wardrobe;
4.To control and prevent the removal of library documents outside the norms of their use established by these Rules;
5.To prevent patrons with inadequate behavior and clothing from entering the building of the Library;
(2)Department “Patron registration”:
1.To welcome the patrons and inform them about the Rules, and guide them according to their interests.
2. To inform new patrons about the norms of use of the library items and services, about their rights and obligations; to provide primary factual information about the Library;
3. To receive payment from patrons (fees, fines, etc.) and to provide a cash receipt for each payment.
4. To check the condition of the borrowed items, and give the patrons a token with the number of borrowed items, that must be presented upon exiting the Library;
5. As authorized personal information administrators, the employees are responsible for the protection of such information (under the Personal Data Protection Act).
(3) Take-in-orders desk:
1. To accept up to 5 order slips per patron and compare the data filled in by the patron to the digital key database;
2. In case of omissions and inaccuracies, clarify the problem carefully and clearly to the patron and help to remedy the problem;
3. Redirect order slips as intended and control their delivery. In case of a delay (in excess of 15 minutes), refer to the Repository and provide information to waiting patrons.
(4) Consultant’s desk in the catalog room:
1. Assist patrons working with the Library catalogs and perform reference, bibliographic and information services.
(5) Circulation desks:
1. Provide library, reference, bibliographic and information services to the patrons;
2. Tend to patrons in a polite manner, competently, and with attention to the needs of each individual.
(6) Reading rooms:
1. Monitor the timely and accurate execution of patron orders;
2. Register in a timely manner the taking and release of documents;
3. Make sure that no highlighting, page tearing or other damage to the library items occurs;
4. Provide assistance to patrons when working with reference documents and the open-stack items in the Reading Rooms. Maintain the relevance of the reference apparatus in the relevant reading room;
5. Ensure compliance with the 10-day time limit for the documents on hold and release them immediately after;
6. Prevent the removal of documents from the reading rooms and unauthorized book exchanges between patrons;
7. Exercise control over the photocopying of library documents used in the respective reading room;
8. Maintain order and silence in the reading room.
(7) Repository:
1. Accept only fully, accurately, and legibly filled -in order slips;
2. Carry out orders according to the established times-table and regulations;
3. Provide patrons with items in good condition;
4. Explain precisely and exhaustively in writing (on the back of the order slip) the reasons why the ordered library item cannot be made available to the patron;
5. Maintain the order of the documents in the Repository and observe the established norms of preservation and protection of the library items;
6. Control the access to the Repository.
(8) Specialized library services are performed according to the established specific rules in the respective departments.
(9) All librarians assisting the patrons must identify themselves by name, by wearing a name tag.
Art. 51. While tending to patrons, the employees must respect the adopted norms of the internal normative documents, as well as the principles of the Code of Ethics for members of Library staff.
Art. 52. In case of non-compliance with these Rules, the employees must notify the Head librarian of the department in question or the Deputy Director. Should unresolved infringements occur, the employees must inform the Library Director.
Art. 53. Library staff who do not comply with the requirements of these Rules are subject to administrative penalties as defined by the Internal Staff Regulations for employees and staff members of the Library.

SECTION NINE
PENALTY PROVISIONS

Art. 54. Whoever intentionally damages, destroys or loses Library items is fined according to Art. 66 (1) and (2) of the Public Libraries Act.
Art. 55. A staff member who fails to provide suitable conditions for the protection of library items and allows them to be lost, damaged or destroyed is liable to a fine of BGN 200 to BGN 2,000.
Art. 56. (1) Infringement actions under Section Nine of these Rules are established by decree of Library Director.
(2) The establishment of the liability, the issuing, appealing and execution of the penalties are carried out in accordance with the Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act.

SECTION TEN
TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

§ 1. The present rules of service of the Ivan Vazov Public Library Plovdiv enter into force on 00.06.2024.
§ 2. These Rules are associated with the following Annexes:
1. Annex № 1 Main library services;
2. Annex № 2 Specialized library services;
3. Annex № 3 List of reading rooms circulation desks;
4. Annex № 4 Working hours of the circulation desks, the reading rooms, and the departments assisting the patrons;
5. Annex №5 Example forms for servicing the patrons in the Ivan Vazov Public Library Plovdiv
6. Annex №6 Internal regulations.

ANNEXES
Annex № 1 Basic library services:
1. Using the library collections inside and outside the Library;
2. Providing verbal bibliographic and factual information;
3. Providing access to traditional and digital data bases;
4. Providing Internet access for scientific, educational, social and recreational purposes;
5.Organizing cultural events;
6. Educational services;

Annex № 2 Specialized library services:
1. Providing written bibliographic information;
2. Providing retrospective bibliographic researches;
3. Delivery of library items from the country and abroad;
4. Providing access to external Internet resources and digital data bases;
5. Reproducing of library items;
6. Exhibition curation;
7. Qualification and expert-consulting services.

Annex № 3 List of reading rooms and circulation desks.
Main building

Open-stack areas (Circulation desks)
Philological, social, natural, precise and applied sciences
Arts Reading Room

Reading rooms
№ 1 Philological, social, natural, precise and applied sciences
№ 2 acad. Peter Dinekov
№ 3 Current periodicals
№ 4 Arts
№ 5 Special collections "Boris Dyakovich"

Children’s department

Open-stack areas (Circulation desks)
Reading rooms:
Foreign languages reading room
Reading room for children up to 11 years.
Reading room for children over 11 years.