{"id":"regulations-for-the-conduct-of-the-state-library","name":"Regulations for the Conduct of the State Library","slug":"regulations-for-the-conduct-of-the-state-library","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":181836,"registerId":"wa-regulations-for-the-conduct-of-the-state-library-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations for the Conduct of the State Library","content":"![Crest]()Western Australia\n\nLibrary Board of Western Australia Act 1951\n\nLibrary Board (State Library) Regulations 1956\n\nWestern Australia\n\nLibrary Board (State Library) Regulations 1956\n\nContents\n\n1. Citation 1\n\n2. Terms used 1\n\n4. General control vested in librarian 2\n\n11. Photocopies 2\n\n14. Persons to comply with directions of librarian 2\n\n32. Persons may be excluded from library 2\n\n34. Use of books from library 4\n\n35. Recovery of penalties 4\n\n36. Penalty for breach of regulations 4\n\nNotes\n\nCompilation table 6\n\nDefined terms\n\n  \n\nWestern Australia\n\nLibrary Board of Western Australia Act 1951\n\nLibrary Board (State Library) Regulations 1956\n\n##### 1. Citation\n\nThese regulations may be cited as the *Library Board (State Library) Regulations 1956* 1.\n\n[Regulation 1 amended: Gazette 6 Dec 2013 p. 5737.]\n\n##### 2. Terms used\n\nIn these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires —\n\n  Act means the *Library Board of Western Australia Act 1951* (as amended);\n\n  Board means The Library Board of Western Australia constituted pursuant to the provisions of the Act;\n\n  book includes periodical, newspaper, pamphlet, music score, picture, print, photograph, map, chart, plan, manuscript, film, slide, gramophone record, or any other article of a like nature, forming part of the contents of the library, whether or not the property of the Board;\n\n  librarian means the State Librarian, and includes the person for the time being in charge of any part or section of the library;\n\n  library means The State Library of Western Australia and includes any rooms, offices, passages, staircases, entrances, exits and gardens whatsoever forming part thereof and adjacent thereto.\n\n[Regulation 2 amended: Gazette 6 Dec 2013 p. 5737.]\n\n[**3.** Deleted: Gazette 6 Dec 2013 p. 5737.]\n\n##### 4. General control vested in librarian\n\nThe librarian has the general control and charge of the library and is responsible to the Board for the safe custody of the books and all other property therein or belonging thereto.\n\n[**5‑10.** Deleted: Gazette 6 Dec 2013 p. 5737.]\n\n##### 11. Photocopies\n\nPhotographic copies made by the librarian for the personal use of a person shall not be used for further reproduction without the permission in writing of the owner of the copyright and of the Board. The Board may impose conditions on such reproduction and the person shall comply with such conditions.\n\n[**12, 13.** Deleted: Gazette 6 Dec 2013 p. 5737.]\n\n##### 14. Persons to comply with directions of librarian\n\nA person shall comply with any reasonable direction of the librarian and shall not wilfully obstruct any officer or servant of the Board in the execution of his or her duty or wilfully disturb, interrupt or annoy any other person in the proper use of the library.\n\n[Regulation 14 amended: Gazette 6 Dec 2013 p. 5738.]\n\n[**15‑31.** Deleted: Gazette 6 Dec 2013 p. 5738.]\n\n##### 32. Persons may be excluded from library\n\n(1) The librarian may exclude a person from the library if the person —\n\n(a) is behaving in a disorderly manner; or\n\n(b) appears to be affected by alcohol or drugs; or\n\n(c) accesses any indecent, obscene or offensive content on a computer or other electronic device in a public area of the library and continues to do so after being directed to stop by the librarian; or\n\n(d) is not using the library for the purpose for which it is intended; or\n\n(e) has committed a breach of these regulations and it appears likely that the person’s continued presence in the library may lead to a further breach of these regulations.\n\n(2) The librarian must give a person who is excluded under subregulation (1) a written notice that —\n\n(a) states the person is excluded from the library; and\n\n(b) specifies the period of exclusion; and\n\n(c) explains the reason for the exclusion; and\n\n(d) informs the person about the person’s right to apply to the Board under subregulation (4)(c) for a review of the exclusion.\n\n(3) The librarian may determine the period of exclusion for the purposes of subregulation (2)(b) which must not be longer than 2 years.\n\n(4) A person who is excluded under subregulation (1) —\n\n(a) if applicable — must leave the library immediately; and\n\n(b) must not enter the library during the period of exclusion; and\n\n(c) may apply in writing to the Board for a review of the exclusion.\n\n(5) On application under subregulation (4)(c), the Board may —\n\n(a) confirm the exclusion; or\n\n(b) revoke the exclusion; or\n\n(c) substitute a different period of exclusion.\n\n[Regulation 32 inserted: Gazette 23 Jun 2017 p. 3178‑9.]\n\n[**33.** Deleted: Gazette 23 Jun 2017 p. 3178.]\n\n##### 34. Use of books from library\n\n(1) The Board shall conduct the State Library primarily as a reference library. Books from the stock of the State Library may, at the discretion of the Board, be lent —\n\n(a) to an approved library;\n\n(b) to any department or instrumentality of the Government of Western Australia or of the Commonwealth of Australia, for official use;\n\n(c) to other persons or bodies in exceptional circumstances.\n\n(2) No book shall be removed from the library without the authority of the librarian, who may at his discretion decline to give such authority or impose conditions as to the manner in which the book shall be used, the period of loan, or as to any other matter. A person accepting a book on loan shall be deemed to have assented to any such conditions and shall comply with them.\n\n(3) In respect of any such loan the *Library Board (Registered Public Libraries) Regulations 1985* 2 shall apply, in so far as they are applicable, as if the State Library were a registered public library and any person borrowing a book shall comply with those regulations.\n\n##### 35. Recovery of penalties\n\nAny sum or penalty payable under these regulations may be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction by the Board as a debt due to the Board.\n\n##### 36. Penalty for breach of regulations\n\nA person who commits a breach of these regulations is liable to a penalty not exceeding $100 and in addition to any penalty imposed, the amount of any expense incurred in consequence of the breach shall be paid by the person.\n\n[Regulation 36 amended: Act No. 113 of 1965 s. 8(1).]\n\n![dline]()\n\nNotes\n\n1 This is a compilation of the *Library Board (State Library) Regulations 1956* and includes the amendments made by the other written laws referred to in the following table. The table also contains information about any reprint.\n\nCompilation table\n\n| **Citation** | **Gazettal** | **Commencement** |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| *Regulations for the Conduct of the State Library* 3 | 3 Aug 1956 p. 1913-16 | 3 Aug 1956 |\n| *Decimal Currency Act 1965* assented to 21 Dec 1965 | | Act other than s. 4-9: 21 Dec 1965 (see s. 2(1));   s. 4-9: 14 Feb 1966 (see s. 2(2)) |\n| **Reprint of the *Regulations for the Conduct of the State Library* as at 6 Dec 2002**   (includes amendment listed above) | | |\n| *Library Board (State Library) Amendment Regulations 2013* | 6 Dec 2013 p. 5737‑8 | r. 1 and 2: 6 Dec 2013 (see r. 2(a));   Regulations other than r. 1 and 2: 7 Dec 2013 (see r. 2(b)) |\n| **Reprint 2: The *Library Board (State Library) Regulations 1956* as at 7 Feb 2014**   (includes amendment listed above) | | |\n| *Library Board (State Library) Amendment Regulations 2017* | 23 Jun 2017 p. 3177‑9 | r. 1 and 2: 23 Jun 2017 (see r. 2(a));   Regulations other than r. 1 and 2: 24 Jun 2017 (see r. 2(b)) |\n\n\n2 Under the *Interpretation Act 1984* s. 16(1), a reference to the *Regulations for the Conduct of Public Libraries* may be read as including a reference to the *Library Board (Registered Public Libraries) Regulations 1985*. The reference was changed under the *Reprints Act 1984* s. 7(3)(g). The *Regulations for the Conduct of Public Libraries* were repealed by the *Library Board (Registered Public Libraries) Regulations 1985* r. 32.\n\n3 Now known as the *Library Board (State Library) Regulations 1956*; citation changed (see note under r. 1).\n\nDefined terms\n\n*[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined. The list is not part of the law.]*\n\n**Defined term Provision(s)**\n\nAct 2\n\nBoard 2\n\nbook 2\n\nlibrarian 2\n\nlibrary 2\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulations have been narrowed in some technical areas by deletion of many earlier clauses, but their practical scope was expanded by later amendments (notably the 2017 insertion of Regulation 32). The new exclusion power (Regulation 32) adds explicit modern conduct grounds — including computer/electronic-device use in public areas and intoxication — and sets a substantial maximum exclusion period of up to 2 years, with an internal review route to the Board. That is a substantive expansion of enforcement tools compared with a simple code of conduct: it increases the library’s ability to impose long-term access restrictions and formalises procedures for notice and review. Other changes preserved or clarified limits on copying (Regulation 11) and reaffirmed the library’s primary role as a reference collection with tightly controlled lending (Regulation 34), but did not materially broaden lending rights. Overall, the instrument retains its original purpose (conduct and use rules) while adding stronger exclusion/enforcement mechanics and modernising behaviour rules for digital/public-computer use."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument: 7 substantive regulations remaining (1,2,4,11,14,32,34,35,36) after many deletions","4 defined terms in regulation 2 (Act, Board, book, librarian, library)","Several deleted provisions (Regulations 3, 5–10, 12–13, 15–31, 33) reduce length but create historical cross-referencing in the compilation notes","Discretion-heavy provisions: broad librarian and Board powers (Reg 4, 11, 32, 34) increase interpretive complexity","Conditional processes with review: exclusion process includes immediate action, written notice, time limit (≤2 years) and internal review by Board (Reg 32(1)–(5))","Cross-reference to an external instrument (Library Board (Registered Public Libraries) Regulations 1985) for loan rules (Reg 34(3))","Penalty plus cost-recovery mechanism, and civil recovery as debt (Regs 35–36)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What these regulations do, in plain English**\n\n- These are the rules that govern behaviour, use of materials, and the running of The State Library of Western Australia (the library). They sit under the Library Board of Western Australia Act 1951 and set out who runs the library, what people must and must not do, and the remedies available if the rules are broken.\n\n**Key mechanical features (what the law requires or allows)**\n\n- The librarian (the State Librarian or the person in charge of a section) has overall charge of the library and is responsible to the Board for the safekeeping of books and other property (Regulation 4).\n\n- People in the library must follow reasonable directions given by the librarian and must not wilfully obstruct staff or disturb other users (Regulation 14).\n\n- The librarian may make photographic copies for a person’s personal use, but those copies cannot be further reproduced without written permission from the copyright owner and the Board; the Board may attach conditions to reproduction (Regulation 11).\n\n- The library is run primarily as a reference library; lending from its stock is limited and discretionary. Loans may be made to approved libraries, government departments/instrumentalities for official use, or to other persons only in exceptional circumstances. The librarian decides whether a book can be removed and may impose conditions on how it is used (Regulation 34).\n\n- The librarian may exclude (ban) a person from the library for specified reasons: disorderly behaviour, appearing to be affected by alcohol or drugs, continuing to access indecent/obscene/offensive content on a public computer or device after being directed to stop, using the library for an unintended purpose, or where a prior breach suggests the person’s continued presence may cause further breaches. The librarian must give written notice specifying the period and reasons and advise the person they can apply to the Board for a review. Exclusion periods may be up to 2 years. The Board may confirm, revoke or vary the exclusion on review (Regulation 32).\n\n- Any fine or sum payable under these regulations may be recovered by the Board as a debt in court (Regulation 35). A breach carries a penalty of up to $100 plus any expenses the Board incurred as a result (Regulation 36).\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Library users (members of the public, researchers, students) who must follow directions, accept conditions on loans and copying, and face possible exclusion for misbehaviour.\n- The librarian and library staff, who have delegated enforcement powers and discretion over loans, copying and exclusions.\n- The Board, which has the power to review exclusions and to set conditions on reproduction and lending.\n- Copyright owners, whose permission is required before further reproduction of photocopies (Regulation 11).\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and practical effects)**\n\n- The stated aim is to manage and protect the library’s collections and users by giving the librarian operational control, setting limits on lending and copying, and providing enforcement tools (notably exclusion powers and financial penalties). That is presented as protecting library property, preserving access for legitimate users and controlling inappropriate use of facilities (see Regulations 4, 11, 32, 34, 36).\n\n- Testing those purpose-claims against trade-offs and costs: the regulations concentrate decision-making and enforcement power in the librarian and the Board (Regulations 4, 14, 32, 34). This centralisation reduces transaction costs (single decision-maker for day-to-day issues) but increases discretion — decisions about exclusion, lending and reproduction are largely non‑prescriptive and fact-dependent, creating potential variability in outcomes and reliance on internal review (Board review for exclusions under Reg 32(4)(c)).\n\n- Compliance burden is modest for routine users (follow directions, don’t misbehave), but copying or borrowing from the State Library is subject to more conditions and permissions than a typical public lending library. That increases paperwork and access friction for users seeking copies or loans (Regulation 11 and Reg 34).\n\n- The exclusion power (Regulation 32) creates a strong enforcement lever: exclusion for up to 2 years is a significant non‑monetary sanction that affects access to public resources. The Board provides an internal review route, but there is no express external or tribunal appeal mechanism in the regulations themselves.\n\n- Financial impact is limited by the low monetary penalty (up to $100) but augmented by a costs-recovery element (Regulation 36). The Board can also recover debts through the courts (Regulation 35).\n\n**Concrete incentives and who pays/decides**\n\n- Who pays: individuals who break the rules may pay penalties and any expenses the library incurred as a consequence (Regulation 36). Users seeking to reproduce material must obtain permissions (which may impose costs) from copyright owners and the Board (Regulation 11).\n\n- Who decides: the librarian decides day-to-day directions, loans and immediate exclusions (Regulations 4, 11, 14, 32). The Board has final internal review power over exclusions and sets conditions on reproduction and lending (Regulations 11, 32(5), 34).\n\n**Implementation risks and likely behavioural effects**\n\n- The high degree of discretion (particularly over exclusions and lending) risks inconsistent application between staff or over time unless the Board issues clear internal policies. That could produce uncertainty for researchers or organisations seeking access.\n\n- Tight control over reproduction and limited lending preserves collection security and copyright compliance, but it may reduce ease of access and increase administrative work for legitimate users who need copies or loans.\n\n**Statutory citations**: key provisions are Regulations 4 (control), 11 (photocopies), 14 (directions), 32 (exclusion), 34 (use/loans), 35 (recovery of penalties), and 36 (penalty)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"No scope assessment is possible. The document provided contains no legislative content — only a website error message and an Acknowledgement of Country. There is nothing to compare against an original intent."},"complexity_factors":["No legislative content was available to analyse — the source URL returned a broken page error rather than any statutory text","Complexity cannot be meaningfully assessed without actual legislation"],"plain_english_summary":"**No legislation could be analysed.**\n\nThe link provided does not lead to actual legislation. Instead, it points to a **broken or moved page** on the Western Australian legislation website. The page simply displays an error message explaining that the content is no longer available at that web address due to system upgrades.\n\nThere is **no legislative text** present to summarise, assess, or explain. If you are trying to find the *Regulations for the Conduct of the State Library* (Western Australia), you would need to:\n- Navigate the Western Australian legislation website (legislation.wa.gov.au) directly using the site menu\n- Contact the Parliamentary Counsel's Office Helpdesk as suggested on the error page\n- Search for the regulations by name in the site's search function"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1956 regulations appear to have been much broader, covering detailed operational matters (regulations 3, 5-10, 12-13, 15-31, and 33 have all been deleted). The 2013 amendments stripped out most of the original content, leaving a leaner framework focused on core governance (librarian's control), user behaviour, and exclusion powers. The 2017 amendments then added modern concerns like accessing indecent content on electronic devices. The legislation has shifted from detailed administrative rules to a broader enabling framework with emphasis on behavioural management and exclusion powers."},"complexity_factors":["Only 5 defined terms in the interpretation section (regulation 2)","Straightforward structure with numbered regulations, though many have been deleted over time (regulations 3, 5-10, 12-13, 15-31, and 33 are deleted)","Single level of subsections in regulation 32 (exclusion powers) with clear procedural steps","One cross-reference to external regulations (Library Board (Registered Public Libraries) Regulations 1985) in regulation 34","Simple conditional logic (if/then) in regulation 32 for exclusion criteria","No nested exceptions or highly technical provisions","Short document - approximately 6 pages including compilation tables and notes"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set the rules for how the State Library of Western Australia operates and how visitors must behave.\n\n**What it covers:**\n- **Who's in charge:** The State Librarian has overall control of the library and answers to the Library Board for keeping everything safe.\n- **Behaviour rules:** Visitors must follow reasonable instructions from library staff, not block staff from doing their jobs, and not disturb other people using the library.\n- **Kicking people out:** The librarian can ban someone from the library for up to 2 years if they:\n  - Act disorderly\n  - Appear drunk or drug-affected\n  - Look at indecent or offensive material on computers in public areas after being told to stop\n  - Aren't using the library for its proper purpose\n  - Broke the rules before and might do it again\n  \n  If banned, the person gets a written notice explaining why and for how long, and they can ask the Board to review the decision.\n- **Borrowing books:** The State Library is mainly a reference library (books stay on-site), but the Board can lend books to other approved libraries, government departments, or in exceptional cases to individuals. The librarian decides the conditions of any loan.\n- **Photocopies:** If the library makes photocopies for you, you can't copy them again without written permission from both the copyright owner and the Board.\n- **Penalties:** Breaking these rules can cost you up to $100, plus you have to pay for any damage you caused.\n\n**Who it affects:** Anyone visiting or using the State Library of Western Australia, including researchers, students, and the general public."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/regulations-for-the-conduct-of-the-state-library","history":"/api/acts/regulations-for-the-conduct-of-the-state-library/history","analysis":"/api/acts/regulations-for-the-conduct-of-the-state-library/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/regulations-for-the-conduct-of-the-state-library/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/regulations-for-the-conduct-of-the-state-library/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/regulations-for-the-conduct-of-the-state-library/documents"}}