Rules and regulations of the Bpi public spaces

Objectives of the rules / Applicable provisions

The purpose of these rules is to inform the public of the Bibliothèque publique d’information (Bpi) about the conditions for visiting and receiving visitors at the Bpi. They are intended to ensure personal safety, the preservation of the premises and collections, the quality of the visit and the smooth running of the public library service offered.

It applies to all Bpi visitors, as well as to individuals and groups authorized to occupy the premises temporarily for meetings, receptions or other events.

Bpi staff in charge of welcoming and informing members of the public and security staff are present on the premises to inform and assist members of the public in the event of difficulty, and are responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations.

Visitors to the Bibliothèque publique d’information are also required to comply with the internal regulations of the Lumière building at 40 avenue des Terroirs de France, Paris 12^ème, which apply to visitors to the Lumière building.

Access conditions

As of August 25, 2025, the public areas of the Bibliothèque publique d’information are temporarily located in the Lumière building at 40, avenue des Terroirs de France 75012 Paris.

1 – Library mission

The mission of the Bibliothèque publique d’information is to make encyclopedic collections available to the public, including books, periodicals, records, microfilms, documentary films, language methods and digital resources. It also implements mediation and cultural actions.

2 – Opening times

The library is open :

•  from 12pm to 10pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
• from 11am to 10pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
• from 12pm to 7pm on December 24th and 31st
• 12pm to 10pm on December 25 and January 1

To enable the library to close at 10pm, staff will evacuate the premises from 9:45pm.

The library is closed on Tuesdays and 1 May.

3 – Access conditions

For reasons of personal safety and to safeguard public property, security staff may ask members of the public to open their luggage or packages when entering or leaving the library, or anywhere within the premises, in order to carry out a visual check. Refusal to comply will result in refusal of access or exclusion from the premises.

During periods when the Vigipirate plan is in force, checking the contents of bags and packages is systematic and compulsory.

The Bibliothèque publique d’information is open to all, free of charge and without formalities. The capacity of its areas is set by the Préfecture de Police de Paris.

Wheelchairs for the sick or disabled are admitted to the library, with the exception of those powered by an internal combustion engine. Strollers are allowed in the library, provided they do not pose a danger to other users, collections or facilities.

The Bpi declines all responsibility for any damage caused by wheelchairs and baby carriages to third parties or to their own users.

The use of any other means of transport or locomotion is forbidden on the premises.

Persons who are intoxicated or whose hygiene or behavior is likely to be a nuisance to users or staff are not permitted access to the library.

Senior citizens over 65, disabled people and pregnant women are given priority access to the library, and are entitled to a queue-cutting pass, on presentation of a valid receipt [1] , subject to availability.

Disabled visitors can access the Bpi by taking the first elevator on the ground floor via the Bpi entrance. They then present their credentials at the reception desk in the Lumière building on level 1 to access the library via a second elevator.

[1]  –  Persons over 65: identity document showing date of birth

      – Persons with disabilities: inclusion mobility card, priority card, disability card, issued by the MDPH.

      – Pregnant women : pregnancy certificate.

4 – Bulky and prohibited items

Access to the Bibliothèque publique d’information is forbidden to people carrying bulky objects, suitcases, backpacks and other bags and luggage exceeding the authorized size (40 cm x55 cm x ).20 cm

Two bags per person are permitted.

It is also forbidden to bring into the library :

• Weapons and ammunition of any kind, including dummies
• Explosive, flammable or volatile substances
• Dangerous or illicit objects likely to cause a nuisance to other visitors or users.
• Alcoholic beverages, illegal substances
• Rolling objects (rollerblades, scooters, skateboards, etc.), with the exception of strollers and wheelchairs.

5 – Animals

With the exception of guide dogs and assistance dogs for the disabled, animals are not permitted on library premises.

6 – Group visits 

Group visits are only conducted by a member of the Bibliothèque publique d’information ‘s staff, in accordance with the procedures laid down by the establishment.

Service offer

7 – Consulting collections – Accessing services

All of the Bibliothèque publique d’information ‘s collections are accessible to all members of the public, free of charge and without formalities for on-site consultation. No documents are loaned out at home.

The staff of the Bibliothèque publique d’information is at the disposal of the public to answer their requests for information and to help them use the library’s resources.

No certificate of presence in the library is issued to those who request it.

Certain services, such as listening to sound recordings, watching films, using learning methods and self-study software, and using pianos and video game consoles, are available on reservation and for a limited time only.

Reservations are made the same day at the library.

Workshops and cultural events are also regularly offered, with or without reservation.

Digital resources are accessible free of charge by remote access, subject to registration and presentation of proof of identity.

8 – Special conditions for consultation

Although most of the library’s collections are freely accessible, the consultation of certain documents and materials may be subject to special conditions, due to their nature or high price: in particular, consultation may be granted for a limited time only.

9 – Services for people unable to read because of a disability

The Bibliothèque Publique d’Information (BPI) provides specially-equipped loggias for people who are unable to read due to a disability. These loggias can be accessed by making a reservation by telephone or on site. This service requires registration, which is validated on presentation of proof of identity [1] . It is part of the implementation of the copyright exception for disabled people in public libraries.

[1] A list of accepted documents is available from the registration desk and online on the Bpi website, under “The booths and the copyright exception“.

10 – Reprography

Reprographic equipment and services are made available to the public by a concessionaire, who is responsible for their operation and maintenance. Any complaints must be made to the staff of this company.

Reproduction of audio and audiovisual documents, as well as sheet music, is prohibited.

The equipment switches off at 9.45pm. Microfilm reproduction on paper stops at 9pm.

Photography of documents is authorized provided it is strictly for the photographer’s private use and not intended for collective use.

User obligations

11 – Behavior and hygiene

Persons present in the Bibliothèque publique d’information must refrain from any violent, aggressive or insulting attitude or behavior, from wearing clothing that is, for example, indecent, or from any lack of hygiene likely to inconvenience other users or staff.

Persons present in the Bibliothèque publique d’information shall refrain from any action likely to threaten the safety of persons or property.

Particular vigilance will be exercised with regard to sexist behaviour, sexist and sexual violence and harassment to which members of the public or library staff may be subjected.

It is forbidden in the Bpi :

• use illegal substances ;
• to spit or satisfy natural urges outside sanitary areas;
• to pass through devices designed to contain the public, and, except in the event of a disaster, to use the emergency exits and stairways;
• to affix graffiti, posters or marks of dirt;
• use spaces, furniture and equipment in a manner inconsistent with their intended purpose;
• sit or park in circulation areas used for public evacuation;
• take off their shoes or go bare-chested.

Failure by any person present in the Bibliothèque publique d’information to comply with the provisions of the present article may result in exclusion from the library in application of article 31 of the present internal regulations, as well as any criminal proceedings that may follow.

12 – Noise, noisy devices and cell phones

To preserve the quality of reading and working conditions for the public, quiet must be respected inside the library. In particular, loud conversations should be avoided.

The use of noisy devices (cell phones without headphones, musical instruments, etc.) is prohibited.

The use of cell phones is authorized in areas marked with appropriate signs. It is strictly forbidden elsewhere.

In all cases, cell phones must be switched off or set to silent mode.

13 – Use of areas and equipment made available to users

Persons present in the Bibliothèque publique d’information must use the spaces and equipment in accordance with their purpose. Instructions and charters for the use of equipment are available in the rooms. To ensure that everyone can make the most of the library’s facilities, users must ensure that they do not monopolize the equipment made available to them, particularly those reserved for disabled users. It is not permitted to reserve a seat for someone who is not present in the library.

14 – Internet access

Use of the Internet in the library must comply with the user charter (visible on the screens).

Websites of a violent or pornographic nature, or those that may seriously offend human dignity, are not permitted.

15 – Audio announcements

No audio announcements may be made at the request of a user.

16 – Surveys

No polls, surveys or interviews are permitted on the premises, except with special authorization from Bpi management.

17 – Smoking

Smoking and vaping are prohibited in the Bibliothèque publique d’information.

18 – Food and drinks

For reasons of hygiene and to respect the integrity of the collections, it is forbidden to consume food in library areas outside the area reserved for this purpose. Beverages are tolerated in closed containers.

19 – Neutrality

It is forbidden to engage in religious or political acts, to distribute leaflets, or to make requests, subscriptions or collect signatures. Trade, advertising and propaganda are also forbidden in the library.

20 – Image reproduction rights 

In order to guarantee everyone’s right to an image and to intellectual and artistic property rights, it is forbidden to take photographs of the building or the public, or to make visual or sound recordings of any kind, without the express authorization of the library’s management.

21 – Behavior in the event of illness or accident / Lost child

All persons present in the Bibliothèque publique d’information are asked to inform the staff of any accident or illness occurring in library areas and, except in cases of special medical competence, not to touch the victim.

It is forbidden to move the sick or injured person, to make him/her drink or to administer any medication before help arrives.

If a doctor, nurse or first-aider from among the visitors or users intervenes, he or she must remain with the patient or casualty until he or she has been attended to by the appropriate personnel; he or she is asked to leave his or her name and address with the person on duty at the Bibliothèque publique d’information on the premises.

Lost children are taken to the Bpi’s general information bank, then secured at the security desk. If necessary, and in any case after the Bpi has closed, the lost child is handed over to the 12th arrondissement police station.

22 – Conduct in the event of evacuation of the Bpi

In the event of a major incident endangering the safety of Bpi staff and the public, such as a major technical problem, fire, bomb threat or discovery of a suspicious package, the Bpi will be evacuated by means of an audible alarm. To ensure that evacuation takes place as quickly and safely as possible, members of the public must immediately and calmly move towards the emergency exits provided for this purpose.

In addition to the emergency light units indicating evacuation routes and emergency exits, Bpi staff will guide people present in the Bibliothèque publique d’information to the outside, where they will be brought to complete safety.

As stipulated by regulations, an evacuation exercise involving the people present in the Bibliothèque publique d’information will take place every year.

23 – Theft of personal belongings

We strongly recommend that you look after your personal belongings. The Bibliothèque publique d’information declines all responsibility for theft, damage or loss of personal belongings. In the event of an offence, victims alone are entitled to lodge a complaint with a police station.

24 – Lost property

Lost and found must be handed in to a member of staff, who will deposit it at the general reception desk, before passing it on to the lost and found department of the Préfecture de police de Paris.

25 – Theft of documents belonging to the library

No documents may be taken out of the library. An anti-theft system is in place to detect breaches of this rule.

26 – Protection of the collections

It is forbidden to mark, annotate or highlight books, to affix graffiti or inscriptions of any kind, to insert blank paper or paper with messages, to tear or soil them. Any deliberate deterioration (pages torn out, cut out, etc.) is prohibited and punishable by law.

27 – Respect of public spaces

In order to maintain the quality of our service and to keep all areas of the library, including the toilets, in good condition, it is forbidden to place inscriptions or posters on any movable or immovable object, or to throw garbage on the floor.

28 – Security camera system

A video surveillance system is installed in the various areas open to the public to ensure the safety of people and property. This installation is subject to prefectoral authorization (law of January 21, 1995 – article 10.2). In addition, the library’s IT department may at any time check that the way in which workstations are used and the digital content consulted do not contravene the provisions of the present regulations.

Application of these regulations

29 – Display

These rules are posted in the library areas, on the website and may be distributed within the library.

30 – Complaints and suggestions

Suggestions or complaints concerning the rules and regulations, or their application by Bpi or Centre Pompidou staff, or library operations in general, can be made by leaving a message at the Accueil général desk, or by writing to Bpi by post (75197 Paris cedex 04), or by filling in a form on the library’s website (“contacts” section).

In addition, suggestions for the purchase of documents may be submitted to the various information desks via the suggestion booklets.

31 – Breaches

Failure to comply with these rules may result in exclusion from the library, or in prosecution. Any attempt or execution of theft, destruction, degradation or deterioration of a movable or immovable object of the library is liable to penal sanctions (articles 311-1 and following, 322-1 and 322-2 of the new Penal Code).

32 – Miscellaneous instructions

For reasons of security, emergency or to ensure the smooth running of the public service, persons present in the Bibliothèque publique d’information must comply with the instructions of the Bibliothèque publique d’information staff.

Security personnel are present to guarantee the safety of people and collections.

In particular, they are responsible for responding to incidents, accidents, fire, violence and evacuation of the building, and for ensuring that the present regulations are applied.

33 – Total or partial closure

In the event of overcrowding, disturbances, strikes or any other situation likely to jeopardize the safety of persons or property, the Bpi may be closed in whole or in part, or its opening hours modified.

The Director of the Bpi or his representative will take any measures required by the circumstances.

Paris, June 30th 2025

President of the Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, Laurent LE BON

Director of the Bibliothèque publique d’information, Christine CARRIER