Terms of use and fees

§ 2 – General

• The Stadtbibliothek Bremen is an Eigenbetrieb der Stadtgemeinde Bremen in accordance with the “local law on the in-house operation Stadtbibliothek Bremen , Eigenbetrieb der Stadtgemeinde Bremen ” (BremStBOG).

• These usage and fee regulations establish a private law usage relationship between the Stadtbibliothek and the users. Section 7 paragraph 5 remains unaffected by this.

• The Stadtbibliothek 's task is to provide the population of Bremen with up-to-date media and services based on diversity principles. The Stadtbibliothek serves general cultural purposes as well as general educational interests, information, training, further education and leisure activities.

• Everyone is allowed to use the Stadtbibliothek . § 11 remains unaffected by this.

• Visiting the Stadtbibliothek is free and possible without a library card.

• These usage and fee regulations are clearly displayed in their current version in the public business premises of the Stadtbibliothek for your information. This also applies to the fee schedule, which is an appendix part of these usage and fee regulations.

• The copyright regulations must be observed and adhered to by users.

• The Stadtbibliothek uses, among other things, technical aids to ensure access in accordance with the Youth Protection Act to the content of the Internet as well as media that are classified according to FSK (Voluntary Self-Regulation of the Film Industry) or USK (Entertainment Software Self-Regulation).

§ 3 – Registration

• Users aged 18 or over will be issued with a library card from the Stadtbibliothek upon presentation of a valid identity card or passport with registration certificate. This library card entitles the card holder in particular to carry out loan transactions. It can be applied for on site at the Stadtbibliothek facilities or online.

• Children and young people up to their 18th birthday must present written consent from a legal representative, in which the legal representative declares that they give their consent to use the facilities of the Stadtbibliothek and are liable for all claims and claims for damages against the card holders arising from this usage relationship. To do this, you must present a valid identity card or passport with a registration certificate from your legal representative.

• Legal entities or associations of persons with legal capacity are registered by their legal representative or a person authorized by them in writing.

 (4) By registering, users confirm that they have read and accepted these usage and fee regulations (including the fee list).

§ 4 – Data processing

• The Stadtbibliothek processes the personal data of users (data processing) and, if necessary, their legal guardians required for the services in accordance with §2 BremStBOG and uses them exclusively for its purposes. This data includes, in particular, last name, first name, date of birth, gender, address, email address, telephone number, discount status and bank details.

• By applying for the library card, users give their consent to the processing of their personal data. If registration for the electronic library card takes place exclusively via the Stadtbibliothek 's homepage, users must give their consent to the processing of personal data in a separate declaration. If users do not give their consent to data processing, it is not possible to issue a library card. Any use for which the library card is required, especially borrowing, is then excluded.

• Users can revoke their consent in accordance with paragraph 2 at any time with future effect. After revocation, the personal data will be deleted immediately unless it is necessary to settle obligations arising from the usage and fee regulations (billing data). Any use for which the library card is required is then no longer possible (e.g. borrowing media).

(4) Data processing is subject to the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation and the Bremen Implementation Act for the EU General Data Protection Regulation.

§ 5 – Library card / BibCard

• The library card is not transferable and remains the property of the Stadtbibliothek . The library card is valid for twelve months, unless otherwise stated. It is subject to a fee in accordance with Section 7 and the applicable fee schedule.

• The ID card is valid for the entire current offering of the Stadtbibliothek . § 3 paragraph 4 and
  § 6 paragraph 5 remain unaffected by this.

• If you lose your library card, you must inform the Stadtbibliothek immediately.

• The legal holders of the library card are liable for damages resulting from loss or misuse of the library card until the report of the loss or misuse is received by the Stadtbibliothek and confirmed by the Stadtbibliothek .

• The Stadtbibliothek must be notified immediately of any change in the address or name of the ID card holder or legal guardian. An address search at the Citizens' Office necessary to carry out the dunning procedure is subject to a fee and will be invoiced.

§ 6 – Loan, extension, reservation

• The library card must be used for all borrowing transactions.

• The loan period for all media is generally three weeks. The loan period can be extended before it expires if the media is not reserved. Certain media are excluded from an extension. The media loan deadlines must be observed. If returned late, a late payment fee will be charged.

• Borrowed media can be reserved for a fee.

• For the Stadtbibliothek 's online communication, it is necessary to have a current email address; any changes to this address must be reported to the Stadtbibliothek immediately.

• The management of the Stadtbibliothek issues further usage regulations. These will be announced to users in good time and will be available for inspection in the public offices of the Stadtbibliothek .

• If the item is returned outside of opening hours (including by post), the card holder is responsible for the proper return and any accidental loss of the borrowed media.

§ 7 – Fees for the library card and if the loan period is exceeded

• A fee is charged for the library card in accordance with the fee schedule.

• In addition to the fees, users must pay all other costs and expenses incurred for special services.

• Additional fees apply for exceeding the loan period regardless of notification, for reservations and for other special services provided by the Stadtbibliothek . The amount of the respective fees is based on the fee list for these usage and fee regulations. The loan period must also be observed if the item is returned outside of opening hours.

• All fees are due immediately. You will be charged a reminder if they are not paid immediately (Section 5.4 Schedule of Fees).

• After an unsuccessful dunning procedure, the Stadtbibliothek initiates enforcement proceedings under public law.

• Users can also pay the usage fees by authorizing an unlimited direct debit (subscription BibCard). On this basis, the validity of the library card is automatically extended annually in connection with the debiting of the usage fees. Cancellation of the direct debit authorization must be made in writing no later than six weeks before the expiry of the library card's validity.

§ 8 – Liability of the Stadtbibliothek

• Liability for personal injury, property damage or financial damage incurred by users when using the library rooms, including the adjoining rooms and entrances as well as the items provided, is excluded.

• Excluded from this are claims for damages by users resulting from injury to life, body, health or from the violation of essential contractual obligations (cardinal obligations) as well as liability for other damages that are based on an intentional or grossly negligent breach of duty by the Stadtbibliothek , its legal representatives or vicarious agents . Essential contractual obligations are those whose fulfillment is necessary to achieve the objective of the contract. In the event of a breach of essential contractual obligations, the Stadtbibliothek is only liable for the foreseeable damage that is typical for the contract if this was caused simply by negligence, unless the user is claiming damages due to injury to life, body or health.

• The restrictions in paragraphs 1 and 2 also apply to the benefit of the Stadtbibliothek 's legal representatives and vicarious agents if claims are asserted directly against them.

• No liability is assumed for the loss or damage of valuables and clothing brought in by users. This does not apply if the Stadtbibliothek or its vicarious agents have acted with gross negligence or intent.

• The Stadtbibliothek is not liable for the misuse of its offerings by users.

• The Stadtbibliothek is not liable for the topicality, correctness, completeness and quality of the content it provides.

§ 9 – Treatment of the property of the Stadtbibliothek and liability of users

• The users are obliged:

1. to treat the media carefully, to protect it from changes, contamination and damage and to ensure that it is not misused,

• to check the media for completeness and visible defects before borrowing and to inform the library staff about these defects,

• Before using digital or technical media (especially CDs + DVDs), check them for errors, especially viruses, manipulation and damage, as the Stadtbibliothek is not liable for any damage to hardware, software or technical devices.

• to treat the furniture, facilities and premises of the Stadtbibliothek with care.

• Improper use of the IT infrastructure and digital offerings on the premises of the Stadtbibliothek will result in exclusion of use. Misuse includes, in particular, the retrieval and distribution of illegal, violent, pornographic or racist content and data, the violation of copyright and the manipulation of the hardware and software offered.

• ID card holders are liable for loss or damage to borrowed media. Loss or damage to media must be reported to the library immediately.

• If the card holder does not return the borrowed media despite being asked to do so, compensation will be demanded instead of the return.

• For those who have an ID card up to their 18th birthday, compensation for damages can be requested from their legal representative in accordance with the declaration of commitment in accordance with Section 3 Paragraph 2.

§ 10 – Domestic rules and behavior in the library

• The Stadtbibliothek has house rights. The instructions and requests of the library staff must be followed.

• The Stadtbibliothek has house rules. This can be viewed at any time in its current version by the library staff.

• The library staff is authorized to check bags etc. in order to protect the Stadtbibliothek from theft in the interest of all users.

§ 11 – Exclusion of use

• In order to ensure the functionality and trouble-free operation of the Stadtbibliothek , users who violate the provisions of these usage and fee regulations may be temporarily excluded from borrowing and/or using the library.

• If you are excluded from borrowing or are banned from entering the premises indefinitely in all facilities, the library card loses its validity.

• There will be no refund of fees already paid. All obligations of the users that arose due to these usage and fee regulations remain in effect even after the exclusion.

§ 12 – Entry into force

The usage and fee regulations came into force on January 1st, 2021. At the same time, the usage and fee regulations of November 21, 2017 no longer apply.

Stadtbibliothek Bremen , Eigenbetrieb der Stadtgemeinde Bremen