Acceptable use of library computers

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Guidelines for acceptable use of library computers and ICT facilities

We provide free access to PCs and the Internet in all our libraries. To make sure that all our customers have a safe and comfortable experience when using these facilities, we ask that all users of library Internet and public access ICT facilities agree to abide by our conditions of access.

• What you should do when using library computers
• What you must not do when using library computers
• Staying within the law
• Monitoring of computers, Internet and email
• Filtering
• Take care of your data when using the Internet

As a library computer user you must:

• be a registered user, or if a visitor, have signed our conditions of access and shown your ID to library staff.
• show your membership card to staff before your session. Your card is not transferable and should only be used by you.
• stay within the limits of your booked time.
• pay for any prints you make from library computers.

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As a library computer user you must NOT create, access, copy, store, transmit or publish any material over the Internet which:

• is obscene, pornographic, racist, defamatory or illegal
• causes harassment or gross offence to other users
• breaches, or may breach any criminal or civil law, including the law of copyright and the protection of intellectual property

As a library computer user you must not:

• download or install any software onto library computers.
• attempt to alter any system settings or attempt to bypass our filtering systems.
• damage library equipment in any way.

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Staying within the law, you should be aware that:

• the Internet, email and other applications available on library computers are only to be used for lawful purposes.
• you must comply with all relevant legislation.
• you may be banned from using library computers if you misuse them.
• you may also be placing yourself at risk of prosecution if unlawful action is involved.
• email and other electronic communications and files are admissible in court as evidence. You should not write anything about anybody that you would not want to be read out in open court. Individuals may have the right to see a copy of information held about them at any time under the Data Protection Act, and this includes email messages.
• all text, images, music files and other content items on the Internet or in other electronic works, including CDROMs and DVDs are likely to be protected by copyright. This includes any items borrowed from the library or owned by you. Before copying or downloading material, you should check any terms and conditions of use and, if necessary, seek the permission of the copyright owner.

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Monitoring of computer, Internet and email use

• use of library computers, Internet and email services (but not the content of emails) is recorded and monitored regularly.
• it is possible for library staff to identify sites visited and users responsible.
• Renfrewshire Council makes customers aware of this monitoring, and also of our right to inspect any files during investigations where there is suspected misuse.
• if we detect that you have misused library computers, you and Renfrewshire library staff, will be informed of the action taken. We will write to you at your home address and you may be banned from using computers in any Renfrewshire Library.

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Filtering

• all access to the Internet in our libraries is filtered. Although we make every effort to block offensive sites, the use of filtering software does not guarantee that these will all be blocked. If you find a site which you think should be blocked, please inform a member of library staff.
• the use of filtering software may mean that some acceptable sites are blocked. If you find a site which you think should be allowed, please inform a member of library staff.
• please be aware that what may be acceptable or unacceptable to one person may not be to another. The final decision on whether a site should be blocked or unblocked will rest with Renfrewshire Libraries

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As a library computer user you should note that:

• giving out personal details over the Internet is done at your own risk. Read more about the risks
• the council can take no responsibility for the security of any financial transactions undertaken over the Internet.

We welcome your comments on any aspect of library computer use. If you can spare some time to send us your feedback it will help us to develop the service to meet the needs of our users. Please let us know by:

• completing a suggestion card at any of our libraries.
• completing our online feedback form (when prompted, please select 'Education and Leisure Services' as the department)
• or contacting us by:

email : libraries.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
phone : 0141 840 3003
fax : 0141 840 3004
writing to :
Library Services
Abbey House
8a Seedhill Road
Paisley
PA1 1AJ

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