Code of Conduct

All library users are expected to follow these guidelines to ensure a safe, respectful, and productive environment for everyone. Do take note of the following conduct expectations when using the library spaces and resources.

General rules

To create a comfortable and productive atmosphere, all library users must observe the following general rules:

• Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited in the library.

• Attire should adhere to RP’s general dress code and policies.

• Users must keep the library clean and tidy by disposing of all litter in the bins provided.

• Silence must be maintained at all times to avoid disturbing others.

• Library staff have the authority to ask users causing disturbances to leave the library.

• Seats within the library may not be reserved. Please ensure fair use of the available seating.

• Food is not allowed in the library. Drinks in watertight bottles are permitted; takeaway cups and cans are not allowed.

• Food and drinks purchased from the library café must be consumed within the café’s premises.

Library transactions

To ensure a smooth borrowing and return process, please follow these transaction guidelines:

• Library materials may be removed from the library only after they have been checked out at the self-service borrowing machines near the library entrances.

• All members (staff, students, alumni, and external members) must present a valid ID or e-card when borrowing materials; borrowing must be done in person, and members are responsible for ensuring items are properly checked out.

• All library materials must be returned via the bookdrop located near the RP Library South Entrance or at any National Library Board (NLB) Public Library.

• Borrowed materials should be returned or renewed before the due date; while overdue notices are sent, members remain responsible for any fines incurred, even if a notice is not received.

• All transactions at the Library Information Counter are conducted electronically; cash payments are not accepted.

• Members are required to present all borrowed materials and personal belongings for inspection upon request at the Library Information Counter.

• Lost library cards or staff passes must be reported immediately; borrowing privileges will be suspended until a replacement card is issued.

• The library reserves the right to recall any borrowed materials, and members are expected to return them promptly.

Library and Personal Property

To protect both personal and library property, all users must adhere to the following:

• Library users must always keep all personal belongings with them while on the premises; the Library is not responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of unattended items.

• Any loss of library materials must be reported immediately to library staff.

• Damaging library materials is considered an offence; members responsible for damaged items will be required to pay the replacement cost, along with an administrative fee of S$10.90 per item (inclusive of GST).

• Library privileges will be suspended until all payments for damaged items are fully settled.

• Students found damaging or stealing library materials will be referred to the Polytechnic’s Disciplinary Committee.

Copyright Guidelines

Copyright is the exclusive right to do certain acts in relation to the copyrighted work. In Singapore, this includes the right to reproduce, publish, perform, communicate and adapt the work.

Using a copyrighted work without permission may constitute copyright infringement, and such infringement may lead to legal action by the copyright owner.

If you photocopy, reproduce, or make an adaptation of a copy of the owner’s work without the owner’s permission, you have infringed the owner’s copyright unless you copy under the following circumstances:

• You copy a published edition of a work for the purposes of your own self-study, completion of assignments, or research:

(i) where the work is in print form and comprises 10 pages or more, you may copy up to 10% of the total number of pages of the work, or, if the work is divided into chapters, 1 chapter of the work;

(ii) where the work is an electronic edition, you may copy up to 10% of the total number of bytes or words in the work or, if the work is divided into chapters, 1 chapter of the work;

(iii) where the work is in a periodical publication, you may copy up to 1 article (another article may only be copied if it relates to the same subject matter in a periodical publication).

• You copy a work after its copyright protection has expired. In the case of literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works, the duration of Singapore copyright protection is generally the lifetime of the author plus 70 years, after which the work is in the public domain.

• You read or recite an extract of reasonable length from a published literary or dramatic work, or an adaptation of such a work for the purpose of criticism and review and give sufficient acknowledgement of the work. Acknowledgement is sufficient if it identifies the author and the work by its title in a clear and reasonably prominent manner.

You are personally responsible for adhering to all copyright laws. Additional information can be found at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore website: IPOS | Copyright Resources. Any failure to observe copyright laws may expose you to criminal and/or civil liability.

Guidelines on Using Licensed or Copyrighted Material(s) with Gen-AI Tools

Licensed or copyrighted material(s) should not be submitted to any third-party Gen-AI tools like ChatGPT, unless the AI tools are officially subscribed to by Republic Polytechnic and operate within a secure, institute-controlled environment that protects submitted data from external access, retention, or use for model training and improvements.

• Staff may use licensed or copyrighted material(s) with Gen-AI tools that are approved by Republic Polytechnic only. Please refer to the list of authorised Gen-AI tools below. Staff are responsible for ensuring their use complies with Republic Polytechnic's / WOG's policy on accountable use of Gen-AI tools (staff login required)
  
  List of authorised Gen-AI tools as of November 2025:
  Republic Polytechnic's enterprise version of Microsoft Copilot

• Students must not submit licensed or copyrighted material(s) into public or consumer Gen-AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, or similar.

All users are responsible for ensuring that their use of any Gen-AI tools complies with Republic Polytechnic's policies, contractual obligations with content providers, and applicable copyright laws.