Title and introductory text
Libraries Offences Act 1898 1898 c.53 An Act to provide for the Punishment of Offences in Libraries. [12th August 1898]
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Libraries Offences Act 1898
United Kingdom · statute
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In force since 2014-08-01, as the publisher states.
Copy read on 2026-11-09. The page it was read from
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.
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Contents: 5 provisions
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5 provisions
1 Short title.
This Act may be cited as the Libraries Offences Act 1898.
Propose a change2 Penalty for offences.
Any person who, in any library or reading-room to which this Act applies, to the annoyance or disturbance of any person using the same,— (1) behaves in a disorderly manner; (2) uses violent, abusive, or obscene language; (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4) or who, after proper warning, persists in remaining therein beyond the hours fixed for the closing of such library or reading-room, shall be liable on summary conviction to a penalty not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.
Propose a change3 Application of Act.
This Act shall apply— (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (b) to any library or reading-room maintained by a Societythat is a registered society within the meaning of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, or is registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1974, or by any registered Trade Union.
Propose a change4 Extent of Act.
This Act shall not apply to Scotland or Ireland.
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