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Internet user policy

Introduction

It is the policy of Medway Libraries to provide free public access to the internet, excluding those sites for which a subscription is payable.

The internet provides access to information and resources far beyond what was previously available. Access to this information enables the Authority to better meet the information, cultural, recreational and educational needs of the people of Medway.

Your responsibility

Whilst the internet contains a wealth of valuable and interesting information, some of this information may be inaccurate, out of date, controversial, offensive and/or illegal.

Medway Libraries accepts no responsibility for the quality, accuracy or availability of information accessed through the internet, although we will try to signpost sites that appear to be authoritative.  As a user, therefore, it is your personal responsibility to assess the accuracy of information you discover

There are risks in giving personal details to websites and buying goods or services over the internet and therefore you do so at your own risk. Medway Libraries assumes no liability for any loss, damage or injury, direct or indirect, suffered as a result of using these computer resources. 

Staff in library and information service points will do their best to help you evaluate content and sites.

Registration

1. Before the first internet session, users must join the library. For exceptions to this please go to 17: Guest sessions.  For users under 16 please go to 19: Use of the internet by young people.

2. Your library card will be enabled for internet use after you have read this Internet User Policy document.  All subsequent use of the internet in Medway Libraries will require you to abide by the conditions in this document.

3. When you register for the internet, your card will be activated and future production of that card, at any Medway library, will give you access to the internet. 

Conditions of access

4. For all internet sessions you will need to show your library card. The card should only be used by the person named.

5. Each internet session will be for 60 minutes. There will be a minimum five-minute wait after each session. Extra time will be at the discretion of library staff.

6. Only one session per day can be booked.

7. The final session of the day may be less than 60 minutes, as all sessions will finish 15 minutes before the building closes.

8. At all times the access to public internet terminals is subject to availability and at the discretion of the staff.

9. A timed record of all sites visited is maintained and if you break the terms of the Internet User Policy you will lose the right to use the internet in all Medway Libraries service points.

10. The use of the computers is free of charge, however there are charges for printing and storage media.  All printouts must be paid for. Please check with staff if you are unsure of the procedure.

11. Use of computers may be suspended if there are charges or overdue items remaining on a borrower’s account.

12. Downloading to USB flash pen is permitted, but other media (such as floppy disks and CDs) are being phased out. The use of other USB devices is acceptable, but not if they need a download of software, or are unable to be recognised by the system.  In all instances copyright regulations must be adhered to. If you are at all unsure, please speak to a member of staff. 

13. Medway Council does not accept responsibility for any loss of work, or loss or damage to USB devices or headphones etc.

14. Medway Libraries has a print management system. Staff respect the confidentiality of printing, however it may be necessary for staff to review pages with the customer prior to printing.

15. The following are not permitted:

  • Storing or installing material on the hard drive (a temporary ‘my documents’ folder exists for saving your work, for the duration of your session only; the contents of this folder will be deleted when your session ends);
  • watching live television;
  • watching live television on a laptop which is plugged into an electrical socket (in those branches where plugging-in is permissible);
  • violating copyright or software licence agreements;
  • the insertion by young people of incorrect details to; sites or services that would otherwise be restricted to them by age (hey should only use the internet in the library to access information and websites that are appropriate for their age);
  • any activity, which changes, damages or destroys computer software or hardware or data belonging to Medway Council;
  • any activity, which seeks to gain unauthorised access to internal or external information systems;
  • using the internet for any illegal activity or for the purpose of libel, slander or harassment;
  •  attempting to invade the privacy of others;
  • sending, displaying or receiving text or graphics that may be construed by staff or other users as offensive (for example, racism, violence, pornography and any illegal or unlawful activity will be reported to the police);
  • sending material, which is intended or likely to cause annoyance or inconvenience to others.

16. During school hours only, a parent or carer who comes into the library with a child may use the computers in designated children’s libraries at Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester and Strood. However, children have priority on these computers and an adult may be asked to vacate their computer if a child wants to use it.  In this situation parent/carers are expected to be aware of content viewed and its effect on other service users.

17. A Guest session is available on the computers, intended for tourists and other visitors. Registration is not required but customers must sign the document at the staff desk saying that they are over 16 years, and that they will abide by the Internet User Policy. A laminated copy is available to read. Guest computer users may be challenged by staff to prove that they are aged 16 or over.

18. Computer access may be suspended for all library users with overdue items or outstanding charges, until such time as charges are cleared, and items are returned or paid for. In cases where full payment of the amount will cause financial hardship an instalment plan may be agreed and computer access may continue so long as payments are paid regularly.

19. Use of the internet by young people. The above points apply, in addition:

  • Parents are responsible for their children's use. It is important that parents understand a child may, inadvertently or otherwise, access material of an unsuitable nature and staff are not always in a position to supervise use. 
  • For pupils aged nine to 16 years, a parent or carer must come into the library with their child and read the Internet User Policy, in order for the child’s card to be enabled for the internet. We suggest that you sit with your child on the first occasion that they use the internet. 
  • Primary school pupils aged under nine may use the internet if supervised by a parent/carer who has joined the library and whose card has been enabled for internet use, or by a childminder who has been nominated by the parent/carer and who has joined the library and had their card enabled for internet use. Internet use must be under the parent/carer/childminders log-in. Children under nine may not have their card enabled for internet use.
  • In designated children's libraries at Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester and Strood, only children aged 11 or younger may use these computers (see also item 19 above); nine, 10 and 11 year olds can use them unaccompanied. Children less than nine years of age must be accompanied by an adult parent /carer or childminder, whose library card has been enabled for internet use.

20. On all public computers in Medway Libraries Websence filtering is applied. Websites are filtered that are considered inappropriate or pose a security risk. This does not guarantee that all unsuitable sites will be filtered.

Staff will not always be in a position to monitor use of the internet in relation to unsuitable sites.

Misuse of the internet may result in withdrawal of the right to use the service.

Using laptops and mobile devices in libraries 

Customers are welcome to use laptop computers in our libraries.

Electricity supply: Laptops may only be plugged in at designated laptop desks with surge-protected sockets. If a library does not have a designated laptop desk then laptops may not be plugged in anywhere.  No other devices such as mobile phones, GPS or other electrical goods may be plugged-in anywhere in Medway Libraries.

Data network: Laptops may not be plugged into our data network. There are a variety of reasons why people cannot use our data points:

1. Software – our library terminals are set up so that servers, both internally and externally, can recognise them (usually through the IP address). We would not be able to guarantee that a customer’s laptop would be able to get into library resources.

2. Virus security – our IT section is concerned that viruses could enter the council’s system from infected devices.

3. Licensing concerns – our licences for online databases vary, but most only cover use – access and downloading information – on library terminals.  Downloading onto a customer’s machine would breach our licensing agreements.

4. Security – allowing such access to the council network could compromise the securities of the system.

It is not possible to print from a mobile device in Medway Libraries.

Wifi: Only Chatham, Rochester and Twydall libraries at present can offer Wifi access to the internet. It can be accessed if the customer’s laptop or mobile device has Wifi capability.

 

For more information contact Medway Libraries by telephone: 01634 337799 or by email: chatham.library@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Medway Libraries, Chatham Library, Chatham Community Hub, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TX

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