Department for Culture Media and Sport

public library byelaws

Under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, a local authority may make byelaws regulating the use of the library facilities they provide and defining acceptable behaviour of library visitors.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport confirms these byelaws. The requirements that need to be followed are set out in section 236 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Procedure for the Publishing of Byelaws

Please use the Model Public Library Byelaws template (RTF 49kb) [link to model byelaws] when creating or revising byelaws.

Please send proposed byelaws to the Libraries & Archives Team [mailto: Abigail.smith@culture.gsi.gov.uk] at DCMS for draft approval.

On receipt of notification that the draft byelaws have been approved, the local authority must:

  1. Give notice of the proposed byelaws in newspapers published in the geographical area where the byelaws come into effect. A specimen notice is available on this site for your convenience (RTF 9kb) [link to specimen notice].

  2. Deposit a sealed copy of the byelaws for public inspection at the offices of the local authority for one month from the date of the above notice.
  3. Send:
  • The signed and sealed byelaws 

  • The newspaper cuttings showing the notices 

  • A certified copy of the byelaws for DCMS records 

  • Confirmation that one month public inspection has taken place

to:
Libraries & Archives Team
Department for Culture, Media & Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH


DCMS then authorise and return the byelaws to the local authority.  

The local authority must display a copy of byelaws in any public library building maintained by the authority to which the public have access.

Note: To download any documents on our website: Click the right-mouse button over the relevant links and choose ' Save Target As...' , you'll then be able to save the document in the appropriate place on your computer and view offline at your leisure

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