THE KERALA SECRETARIAT LAW DEPARTMENT LIBRARY - GENERAL RULES

          1. General.- The Kerala Secretariat Law Department Library, will be a general Reference Library for all officers of the Law Department.

            2. The Library is attached to the Law Department and is under the immediate control of the Secretary to Government, Law Department.

            3. Librarian-Duties- (i) There shall be a Librarian who will be responsible for the proper performance of all work connected with the Library.

           

            (ii) The Librarian should maintain discipline and have general supervision and control of the Library.

           (iii) The Librarian should see that all registers are correctly maintained and that books are issued promptly and their return carefully watched.

            (iv) The Librarian should particularly see that the correction slips are promptly and correctly incorporated in the reference books by the Assistant entrusted with that work and should see to the proper security of the Library.

            (v) The Librarian should inspect the Accession Registers of books and periodicals.

            (vi) The Librarian should render reference service also when asked for.

            (vii) The Librarian should see that the Library is safely locked while leaving the office and will be responsible for the safe custody of the keys of the rooms and book shelves.

            4. Working Hours of the Library - Library shall be kept open from 9 a.m. to 6 p. m. on all working days.

            5. Arrangement of Books - The books in the Library will be kept according to the Colon Scheme of classification.

            6. The card catalogue - The catalogue of the entire holdings of the Library will be prepared in the card form consisting of a classified part and an alphabetical part.

            7. Acquisition of new books - (i) The catalogues and circulars from publishers and book sellers may be circulated for selection of useful books for acquisition by the Library.

            (ii) The Law Secretary will make the final selection of books periodically. The Library will place orders with the approved standing Book-Vendors or Law Publishers for supply of the books.The Librarian will watch the progress of supply of each vendor or publisher and arrange for the performance of the unexecuted portion of the orders with the other selected vendors or publishers.

            (iii) The Librarian also will place orders for the periodicals, magazines, etc. required for the Library and will watch their prompt regular supply.

            (iv) The Librarian should scrutinise and verify each invoice or bill relating to the books and periodicals bought for the Library. A certificate in the following  form should be inserted.

Certificate for books

                        Certified that the books as per this invoice have been received in good condition and entered in the Accession Register Volume vide Nos…… …… …… …… …… on page ….. ….. ….. ….. …… …….

            8. Use of the Library by members of the staff.-

            (i) All officers of Law Department other than Typists, Stenographers, Attenders and Last Grade Servants will be members of the Library and they are free to use the Library for reference. Books will be issued to the above officers on written request made in the requisition forms prescribed for the purpose.

            (ii) Books taken by the members should be returned immediately after use. The members shall be responsible for any damage done to the books or other property belonging to the library and shall be required to replace the books or property damaged or to pay the cost thereof.

            (iii) Before leaving the Library the borrower should see that the book received is in good condition  and if damaged should bring the fact to the notice of the Librarian or the Assistant. Otherwise if the book is found to be damaged on return he will be liable to be held responsible and will be required to replace the book by a fresh copy.

            (iv) In the case of loss of a rare or costly book the compensation fixed by the Secretary to Government, Law Department for the book must be paid.*

            (v) Members are not allowed to sub-let the books of the Library.

            (vi) Certain Reference books on special demand may be lent for over night reading.

       9. Circulation of Accession list.- The Librarian will prepare a list of new arrivals or books added to the library and will be circulated to all officers of the Law Department.

            10. Clearance Certificate and Termination of Membership.- Members who cease to hold the positions by virtue of which they were eligible for membership , by retirement, transfer, suspension or due to any other reasons shall lose their membership and they shall return all books in their possession. They shall be required to produce a clearance certificate from the Librarian before their last pay is disbursed.

            11. Stock taking of book.- There shall be a verification of the stock of books in the Library every year.

            12. Restrictions in using the Library.-

                        (i) Books should be handled with great care.

                       

                        (ii) In the Library strict silence should be observed.

(iii) No personal belongings like private books, umbrellas,          handbags etc. shall be brought to the Library.

                        (iv) Smoking within the Library is strictly prohibited.

(v) No leaf should be moved from the gazettes, magazines,    periodicals, books etc.

(vi) No stranger or unauthorised person will be admitted in to the Library.

            13. Any infringement of these rules will render a member liable to forfeiture of membership or admission to the Library.

            14. In respect of any matter not provided for in these Rules the decision of the Law Secretary shall be final.

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* Rule 8 of the Kerala Law Department Library -General Rules in so far as regards the realisation of compensation for the loss of a rare or costly book stands amended as follows -

   

  " 1. If the same edition of the lost book is available, price for a new copy to be realised.

     2. If subsequent edition alone is available then the cost of the lost book need be realised unless the lost book is considered to be more valuable.

     3. If subsequent edition of the lost book is not available, then depending on the demand for the book, the price fixed by the Law Secretary to be realised."