Rules and regulations of the Bpi public spaces
How to access
1 – Library mission
The mission of the Bibliothèque publique d’information is to provide for visitors’ use collections (about 400,000 documents) of books, periodicals, records, microfilms, documentary films, CD-ROMs, language learning methods and electronic resources.
2 – Opening times
The library is open :
- from 12pm to 10pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
- from 10am to 10pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
- On 24 and 31 December, the library is closing at 7pm
- On 25 December and 1 January, the library is opening at 12pm
To enable the library to close at 10pm, the staff ask visitors to leave from 9:45 pm.
The library is closed on Tuesdays and 1 May.
3 – Access conditions
The library is open to all free of charge and without any formalities. The reception capacity of its spaces is set by the Paris Police Headquarters Safety Commission. If the library is busy, a queue is organised.
Persons under the influence of alcohol or those whose hygiene or behaviour are likely to disturb users or staff are not authorised to enter the library.
Persons aged over 65, pregnant women, and disabled persons have priority access to avoid queuing on presenting proof*, while places are available.
Entrance is through the Bpi exit, on the mezzanine. Disabled persons access the Centre through the staff entrance (angle of rue du Renard – rue Saint Merri).
Persons in wheelchairs must take the lift. Wheelchairs are forbidden in the escalator.
For reasons of people’s safety and protecting public property, staff may ask users to open their bags or parcels and present the contents at the entrance, the exit, or any other area in the library. While the Vigipirate plan is being applied, bags and parcels are checked systematically.
Person aged over 65 : ID showing the date of birth*
Disabled person: proof of invalidity or “station debout pénible” (less able to stand) card
Pregnant woman: certificate of pregnancy.
4 – Bulky objects are forbidden
Visitors are not authorised to access to the Bibliothèque publique d’information with bulky objects, suitcases, backpacks and other bags and luggage exceeding the authorised size (40 cm x 55 cm x 20 cm).
Two bags per visitor are allowed.
It is also forbidden to bring into the library:
- Weapons and ammunitions of all categories
- Explosive, inflammable or volatile substances
- Alcoholic drinks, illicit substances
- Motorbike or moped helmets
- Objects on wheels (rollerblades, rollerskates, skateboards, etc.)
5 – Animals
With the exception of guide dogs and assistance dogs accompanying disabled people, animals are not admitted to the library’s premises.
6 – Group visits
Group visits are only carried out under the supervision of a manager of the Bibliothèque publique d’information or the Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, according to the terms and conditions set by the establishment.
Service offer
7 – Consulting collections – Accessing services
All the collections of the Public Information Library are accessible to all, freely, free of charge and without formalities for on-site consultation. No documents are loaned at home.
The staff of the Public Information Library is available to users to respond to their requests for information and to help them use the library’s resources.
No certificate of presence in the library is issued to users who request it.
Some services are available by reservation and for a limited time, such as listening to sound recordings, watching films, using learning methods and self-training software, using pianos and game consoles.
Reservations are made the same day in the library spaces.
Workshops are also regularly offered, with or without reservation.
8 – Special conditions for consultation
Although most collections are freely accessible, consultation of certain documents, due to their nature or their very high price, may be regulated: in particular access may be granted for a limited time, or subjected to presenting ID.
9 – Services for the visually-impaired
The Bpi makes available to people who are unable to read due to a disorder or disability, booths equipped with specialized equipment, accessible by telephone reservation or on site. This service requires registration which is validated upon presentation of proof [1]. He participates in the implementation of the exception to copyright for people with disabilities in public libraries. Registrants can also benefit from the help of volunteer guides to locate the collections and use the library equipment.
[1] list of accepted supporting documents available from the registration office and online on the Bpi website, section “Booths”.
10 – Reproduction
Devices and photocopying services are provided for visitors’ use by a concessionary responsible for operation and maintenance. Potential requests must be made with the staff of this company.
Copying sound and audiovisual documents is forbidden.
Devices switch off at 9:45pm. Microfilm copying on paper stops at 9pm.
Photographing documents is only authorised if it is strictly reserved for the photographer’s personal use and not intended for collective use.
User obligations
11 – Behaviour
Users must refrain from using any aggressive or insulting behaviour, attitude, clothing or lack of hygiene likely to inconvenience other users or staff.
12 – Noise, noisy devices and mobile phones
To conserve the reading and working conditions of other users, the calm in the library must be respected. Conversations out loud must be avoided in particular.
The use of noisy devices (radio, musical instruments, etc.) is forbidden.
The use of mobile phones is authorised in spaces marked by appropriate signs. It is strictly forbidden elsewhere.
In all circumstances, mobile phone must be switched off or put on silent mode.
13 – Use of spaces and devices provided for users’ use
Users must use the spaces and equipment in the way they are intended to be used. Instructions for use and charters for using equipment are available in the spaces. So that everyone can benefit from the library’s offer, users will ensure they do not monopolise the devices provided for their use, particularly those who are reserved for the use of disabled persons as a priority.
14 – Internet access
Using the Internet in the spaces must be correspond to the usage charter (visible on the screens).
In particular, sites of a violent, pornographic nature or of a nature to seriously harm human dignity are excluded from consultation.
15 – Public announcements
No public announcements can be made on behalf of a user.
16 – Surveys, polls
No survey, poll or interview is authorised in the establishment, except with special authorisation from the Director.
17 – Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in the spaces of the Public Information Library as well as on the exterior passageway on level 2.
The use of electronic cigarettes is not permitted.
18 – Food and drinks
For reasons of hygiene and to respect the collections integrity, it is forbidden to eat food in the library spaces. Drinks are tolerated in closed recipients. A cafeteria is available for visitors on the second level.
19 – Neutrality
It is forbidden to engage in religious or political acts, distribute leaflets, make pitches, subscriptions, collect signatures. Commerce, advertising and propaganda are also forbidden in the library.
20 – Image reproduction rights
In order to guarantee the image reproduction rights of each individual and intellectual and artistic property rights, it is forbidden, except with the express permission of the establishment’s management, to take photographs of the building or users or to make visual or sound recordings whatever they may be.
21 – What to do in case of being unwell or an accident
Users are asked to tell staff of any accident or incident of someone being unwell that occurs in the library’s spaces and, unless they have specific medical skills, not to touch the affected person.
22 – What to do in the event of the Bpi being evacuated
In the event of a major incident threatening the safety of visitors and staff of the Bpi such as a major technical problem, a bomb alert or discovery of a suspicious package, an alarm will be sounded to signal evacuation of the Bpi. In order for an evacuation to take place in the best timeframes and best safety conditions, visitors must immediately and calmly move towards the emergency exits provided to do so.
In addition to emergency light boxes that mark evacuation routes and emergency exits, Bpi staff will guide visitors outdoors to complete safety. As provided for in the regulations, an evacuation exercise will take place each year.
23 – Theft of personal belongings
It is highly recommended that users look after their personal belongings and keep them within sight. The Bibliothèque publique d’information and the Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou disclaim all responsibility in the event of theft, damage or loss of personal belongings that users may encounter. If an offence is committed, users are the only ones authorised to file a complaint at the police station of the 4th arrondissement (27 boulevard BOURDON, tel. +33(0)1 40 29 22 00, Bastille metro station).
24 – Lost property
Lost property must be given to a member of staff, who will leave it at the general information desk (level 1), before it is transferred to the central cloakroom of the Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou.
25 – Theft of documents belonging to the library
No document may be taken outside the library. An anti-theft system allows violation of this rule to be detected.
26 – Protection of the collections
It is forbidden to mark, annotate, highlight the works, write, scribble or drawn anything on them, insert plain paper or paper with messages, tear or dirty them. Any voluntary damage (pages torn or cut out, etc.) is forbidden.
27 – Respect of public spaces
To preserve reception quality and maintain all the spaces of the library in good repair, including the toilets, it is forbidden to write on or affix posters to any moveable or fixed area and to drop waste on the floor.
28 – Security camera system
A security camera system is installed in the various spaces open to the public with the aim of ensuring the safety of people and property. This installation is governed by a prefectural authorisation (law of 21 January 1995 – article 10.2). In addition the library’s IT service can check at any time that the way the computers are being used or the electronic content being consulted is not contrary to these regulations.
Application of these regulations
29 – Display
These regulations are displayed in the library’s spaces, on the website, and may be distributed in the library.
30 – Complaints and suggestions
Suggestions or complaints regarding the operation of the library can be made by leaving a message at the general information desk, or by writing to the Bpi by post 75197 Paris cedex 04 or by filling in a form available on the library’s website (section “contacts”).
In addition, suggestions for documents to purchase can be left at the various information desks.
31 – Sanctions
Any violation of the regulations exposes the offender to being excluded from the library, and legal prosecution when necessary. Any attempt to steal or theft, destruction, damage or deterioration of a movable or fixed object belonging to the library is liable to criminal sanctions (articles 311-1 and following, 322-1 and 322-2 of the new Penal Code).
32 – Miscellaneous instructions
For reasons of safety, emergency or to ensure the smooth operation of the public service, users must comply with instructions given by the staff of the Bibliothèque publique d’information or Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou.
The security staff are present to guarantee the safety of persons and the collections.
They are particularly responsible for providing the interventions required in the event of an incident, accident, fire, violence, evacuation of the building as well as application of these regulations.
33 – Regulations of the Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou
These regulations completes and clarifies the regulation of the Centre National d’Art et du Culture Georges Pompidou, to which it is subordinated.
Paris, november 25, 2015 and june 25, 2021
President of the Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou
Serge LASVIGNES
Director of the Bibliothèque publique d’information
Christine CARRIER
