Libraries Offences Act 1898

1898 CHAPTER 53 61 and 62 Vict

An Act to provide for the Punishment of Offences in Libraries.

[12th August 1898]

1 Short title. E+W

This Act may be cited as the Libraries Offences Act 1898.

2 Penalty for offences. E+W

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;

F1 (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 [F2 level 1 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 2(3) repealed (1.9.2007) by Gambling Act 2005 (c. 19), s. 358(1), Sch. 16 para. 2, Sch. 17 (with ss. 352, 354, Sch. 16 paras. 21); S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with arts. 7-11 arts. 7-12 Sch. 4) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

F2 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c.48, SIF 39:1), s. 46

3 Application of Act. E+W

This Act shall apply—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F3

(b) to any library or reading-room maintained by a Society[F4 that is a registered society within the meaning of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, or is registered] under the M1 [F5 Friendly Societies Act 1974,] or by any registered Trade Union.

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 3(a) repealed by Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 (c. 75), Sch. 3

F4 Words in s. 3 substituted (1.8.2014) by virtue of Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (c. 14), s. 154, Sch. 4 para. 20 (with Sch. 5)

F5 Words substituted by virtue of Friendly Societies Act 1974 (c. 46), Sch. 10 para. 2

Marginal Citations

M1 1974 c. 46.

4 Extent of Act. E+W

This Act shall not apply to Scotland or Ireland.