Peoples Network
Acceptable Use Policy
Please be aware that use of any Peoples Network
Equipment signifies acceptance of this policy
1. Introduction
East Lothian Library Services
(ELLS) recognises the value of widening access to Information &
Communication Technology and ensuring that the benefits of the information age
are open to all.
ELLS
provides free access to a wide range of resources, including those available
from the Internet, in its role as a provider of informational, educational,
recreational and cultural enrichment opportunities for its users.
The
following policy has been produced in order to safeguard the interests of ELLS
and the community it serves. Prior to using ELLS’s People’s Network facilities
all users will have to agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the
People’s Network Acceptable Use Policy.
2. The Internet and the User’s Responsibility
Some information available
over the Internet may be inaccurate, misleading or a matter of personal opinion.
In addition some aspects of the Internet can be controversial, harmful and of
questionable legality.
The Internet is a global electronic
network. ELLS has no control over the information provided on the Internet and
cannot be held responsible for the content, accuracy, validity, legality or
quality of the information accessed. It is the user’s responsibility to verify
the authenticity and accuracy of the resources they access and
retrieve. All users accessing the
service are responsible for selecting the content they view and ELLS takes no
responsibility for any content that the user or their parent or guardian finds
offensive, immoral or distressing.
3. Access
PC and Internet access will be
available to all members of the public, providing that they are library
members, if they live in
or complete a visitor registration
form.
A
booking system is in place. Members of the public can book a PC up to 7 days in advance, in
blocks of one-hour sessions, subject to demand. Only one session can be booked
at a time. Sessions may be booked in advance by telephone, by e-mail, or in
person. No more than 2 people may use any single PC at any one time, at the
discretion of the library staff.
The ELLS accepts no responsibility for technical malfunctions that may prevent access to the People’s Network Equipment. Users should also be aware that from time to time access to certain web sites might be slow or not available due to circumstances beyond the control of ELLS.
4. Use by Children and Young People
Children and young people
under the age of 16 who live in
young person will be permitted to
use the facility. Similarly children under the age of 16 who are visiting the
area must have a visitor registration and form completed and signed by their
parent/guardian.
ELLS does not supervise or control
the use of any facilities by any child or young person. The parent or guardian
in signing the membership form acknowledges that ELLS cannot be held
responsible for the websites or content the child or young person views. It is
the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure
that the child or young person is
aware of any risk involved in using the Internet. Parents or guardians should
take particular care to advise their children about the potential risks of
online contacts made with strangers.
Pre-school children can access
People’s Network facilities only if they have submitted an appropriate
membership form and they are supervised by a competent companion aged 12 and
over. The supervising companion must also be registered to use the service.
Children aged 5-12 who are
registered, can access People’s Network facilities alone only if they can use
them with minimal help. Otherwise they must be supervised. Library staff have
discretion to require a child under 12 to be accompanied.
5. Support
Library staff will offer
general guidance and support for Internet and other People’s Network use.
ELLS
will promote web sites that have been reviewed by library staff. The content of web sites is
liable to change and although staff try to ensure that the websites promoted
are accurate and appropriate, ELLS does not guarantee the accuracy, quality or
legality of any website or its contents. ELLS accepts no liability
for the availability or content of
any web site or the guidance and support given.
6. E-mail
E-mail facilities will be available through free web-based mail services such
as Hotmail (www.hotmail.com) or Yahoo (www.yahoo.co.uk).
Library staff are not in a position to pick up or send e-mail on behalf of
members of the public.
7. Charges
It is the policy of the Library Service that access to the Internet should
remain free. However, charges will be imposed for the following at prevailing
rates:
Storage devices – floppy disks, memory sticks and CD-ROMs may be purchased for
downloading and saving work. Information should be saved to one of these
mediums as the hard disk is cleared automatically on shutdown. Any information
downloaded or saved will thus be lost.
Printing
– separate charges exist for black and white and colour printing. (If a request
is made for homework information and a book cannot be supplied a maximum of 5
black and white sheets can be printed free of charge.)
8.
Security
All PC’s run virus-checking
software.
Users should be aware that Internet
access may be monitored, including web sites visited, in order to plan better
services and to ensure you keep to this policy. The Library Service is bound by
the regulations of the Data Protection Act (1998) and will not release
information on the use of specific Internet resources by
members of the public except as
required by law, to disclose the commission of an offence or for the purpose of
the management of the users use of the library services.
ELLS does employ filtering
mechanisms to control access to information on the Internet that is illegal or
which has the potential to offend, but cannot be held responsible for any
content. If you find an unsuitable site which is not blocked or a site that you
feel has been inappropriately blocked please inform a member of staff
Members of the public should be
aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be
able to obtain information regarding user’s activities.
Online financial transactions are now a common occurrence on the Internet and are usually safely conducted over secure connections. Secure sites usually have a padlock on the taskbar and the address begins with https://. However, ELLS cannot be held responsible for any losses resulting from sending confidential and/or financial information via the Internet.
Please note that users scanning documents on the multi-function machine should ensure they have logged on to a computer prior to scanning. This scanner sends the scanned document to a computer specified by the user. Users should therefore ensure they send the scanned document to the correct computer. ELLS accepts no responsibility for users sending the scanned document to the wrong computer.
9. Misuse
ELLS reserves the right to
refuse further Internet access to any individuals accessing or distributing
materials, which are deemed by library staff to be illegal or unacceptable or
have the potential to offend or disturb others. In particular abusive forms of
marketing, content containing violence or pornography, and materials, which
could incite hatred or discrimination, will be deemed inappropriate.
Use for any commercial service is
prohibited.
Users must not interfere with
equipment, add to, amend or delete existing software.
Users cannot use their own software.
All adult users and the parents or guardians of users aged 15 and under will be responsible for the use of information retrieved under the provisions of existing copyright regulations.
10.
Penalties
Users who are deemed to be
misusing or abusing software, hardware or other associated People’s Network
equipment will be prohibited from subsequent use of the ELLS’ People’s Network
facilities.
ELLS reserve the right to refuse
further computer access to any persons violating this Acceptable Use Policy by
accessing or transmitting content which is deemed illegal or unacceptable, or
have the potential to offend or disturb others. Library staff on site will
determine whether any computer activity breaches this Acceptable Use Policy.
All violations will be reported to the Principal Libraries Officer for possible
further action.
Misuse may result in sessions being
terminated immediately, together with a verbal warning. In some instances a
written warning will be given. Persistent misuse will result in either a
temporary or permanent ban. ELLS reserves the right to issue an immediate ban
if staff feel that the conduct concerned is unusually serious or disturbing.
As well as the loss of computer
privileges, East Lothian Library Services may be obliged to notify occurrences
of illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.
Inappropriate use by persons under
16 years of age will result in the parent or guardian who signed the membership
form being notified. This notification may include details about the use of
specific Internet resources.
Staff will not tolerate any behaviour which is aggressive or abusive or which causes disturbance to staff or other users. ELLS reserves the right to require any user who is behaving in an unacceptable manner to leave the premises immediately.
11. Review
This policy will be reviewed
regularly to ensure that it remains timely and relevant. Please note that the
Internet is a vast store of knowledge and information and offers enormous benefits
and opportunities when
used sensibly.
Using the Internet should be fun!
Please be aware that use of any People’s Network Equipment
signifies acceptance of this policy.