Library policy for external Library membership

The following people are normally eligible to register as Outside Borrowers with the RNCM Library:

• Fellows & Honorary Members of the RNCM and its predecessor institutions and members of staff who have retired in post (Honorary Outside Borrowers - no charge)
• Former students of the RNCM and its predecessor institutions who have completed their studies, on payment of a subscription as detailed below.
  (Wherever possible the library staff will try to verify the eligibility of an applicant; however in the case of alumni of the RMCM & NSM and graduates of the RNCM prior to 2000, the applicant may be required to show proof of his / her eligibility to register as an outside borrower)

The following people are not eligible to register as Outside Borrowers with the RNCM Library:

• In the case of former students or members of staff who are in default to the Library or have been persistent defaulters in the past, the Librarian reserves the right to refuse to allow their registration as an outside borrower
• Former students who have not completed their studies at the RNCM or its predecessor institutions e.g. withdrawn from course

Subscription rates

Membership of the Library is by annual subscription. There are three levels of subscription

• Standard rate: £30 per annum
• Sets rate: £50 per annum, which enables the borrowing of orchestral sets
• Graduate: A free year of membership for students who have just graduated

In addition to this, as surety, the Library requires a deposit of £50 for standard rate and graduate subscriptions, and £100 for the sets rate subscription. This deposit is returnable on expiry or termination of membership, provided that all items are returned and any debts paid.

Deposit and subscription levels are subject to review and revision by the senior Library team.

Membership may be renewed on payment of the subscription fee current at the time of renewal. A renewal letter will be sent before the subscription is due to expire.
Membership may be terminated by the registered borrower at any time and the deposit requested under the terms outlined above. The annual subscription fee will not normally be refunded if membership is terminated during the subscription year.

The Librarian reserves the right to terminate or refuse to renew membership if a registered borrower persistently defaults or is in debt to the Library.

All registered outside borrowers are bound by the Library Rules & Regulations currently in force, including the payment of fines for overdue material and replacement costs for lost items.

Standard £30 membership includes:

• Borrowing up to 10 standard loan items - books and music
• Borrowing up to 5 Audio-visual items –CDs and DVDs (excluding overnight loans and offair recordings)
• Use of the listening, viewing and reference facilities in the Library
• Library only access card
• Courtesy & overdue notices sent to the borrower’s email or home address
• Telephone & online renewals options

Sets £50 membership includes:

• All of the above
• Borrowing rights for up to 5 orchestral sets, provided that the set is not required for use within the College, has not been designated for College use only, or is held by the Library on permanent loan from the publisher.

Graduate membership includes

• Loans of up to 5 items, including Books, Music, CDs and DVDs

• Use of the listening, viewing and reference facilities in the Library
• Library only access card
• Courtesy & overdue notices sent to the borrower’s email or home address
• Telephone & online renewals options

Excluded (both categories)

• Loan of short loan (overnight) and 7 day loan items
• Loan of offair recordings
• Interlibrary loans or Hire
• Reservations (unless by prior arrangement with the Library, e.g. orchestral set for a specific date)
• Requests for the purchase of items for library stock
• Access to the College computer network (email, internet etc.)
• Access to online resources
• Printing
• Loan of recording devices

Approved by Learning and Teaching Committee May 2018