Borrowing rules of information services

Borrowing rights

In order to borrow material from THL Information Services, a person must be registered as a customer. Anyone aged 15 and over and having a valid address in Finland can register as a customer. By filling in and signing the registration form, the customer agrees to follow the borrowing rules and loan periods, return any borrowed items, pay prescribed fees and compensate for any damaged or lost library materials.

All information about the customer is kept confidential and is not disclosed to any outsiders. According to the data protection legislation, customers have the right to check the information concerning themselves in the library system. Information on borrowed items is deleted from the customer register (description of file) after the material has been returned. Customers must inform Information Services of any changes in their contact details.

Borrowing and reservations

Customers who are not employed by Stakes are primarily allowed to borrow materials published by THL and its predecessor agencies, as well as publications by Alko, the Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies and the Social Research Institute of Alcohol Studies. Other materials can be borrowed as well, with the exception of publications from the current year and two preceding years.

The loan period is usually four weeks, except for THL's new publications in high demand, which can be borrowed for two weeks. Loans can be renewed by e-mail or phone if the material has not been reserved. Information Services has the right to change the loan periods and limit the number of loan renewals. Outsiders can only reserve materials published by THL.

Liability for damage

Information Services will send a reminder of overdue loans within a month of the due date. A fixed penalty fee will be charged on any items returned that are overdue. Any damaged or lost material needs to be compensated for. (Fees).

Borrowing rights can be suspended for the following reasons:

• overdue loans,
• unpaid fees,
• loss or damage of the property of Information Services

Borrowing rights can be re-established when:

• The material borrowed has been returned and penalty fees paid
• The damaged or lost material has been compensated for

When Information Services is closed, borrowed materials can be returned to the reception desk in the THL entrance hall during office hours, or by mail.

Materials for library use only

The journals and databases acquired by Information Services are for library use only. The use of the library on a self-service basis is free of charge except for photocopies and printouts.