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Libraries Offences Act 1898

1898 CHAPTER 53 61 and 62 Vict

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

1 Short title.

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

2 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;

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 F2level 1 on the standard scale.

3 Application of Act.

This Act shall apply—

(a)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F3

(b)

to any library or reading-room maintained by a SocietyF4that is a registered society within the meaning of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, or is registered under the M1F5Friendly Societies Act 1974, or by any registered Trade Union.

4 Extent of Act.

This Act shall not apply to Scotland or Ireland.