ICT Use Policy at Libraries
Bracknell Forest Libraries provide free access to ICT services for all registered Library Members.
- The Internet is a global electronic network and Bracknell Forest Libraries are not and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy, validity, legality or usefulness of any sites, content or information accessed.
- We cannot guarantee access to ICT services will always be available.
- We cannot guarantee that access to the Internet will always be available; nor can we guarantee access speed or the ability to access specific sites.
- Each library member is entitled to 1 hour's free access per open day on production of a valid membership card only. Never give your card, login details or password to any other person. Should you require more time, your session may be extended for up to an hour, subject to the availability of PCs.
- Unauthorised use of a library card to access any of our ICT services by any individual, other than the cardholder in person i.e. the person the card has been issued to, is strictly prohibited. Access is not transferable to another individual and will result in the service being withdrawn.
- Transmission, viewing, storing, printing or emailing of any material in violation of laws or likely to cause offence to the general public is strictly prohibited. Including but not limited to material that is: copyrighted, threatening, obscene, pornographic, terrorist, using offensive language or protected by trade secret. If you are found to be in violation We reserve the right to withdraw the service from you, refuse you access to other library services, and/or notify the police authorities.
- Downloaded content including but not limited to images, documents, audio/video and other media files, and executables may be subject to copyright laws and it is up to the individual to verify whether they are legally entitled to download, save and/or view online content and seek required permissions.
- Saving Documents
i. Documents can be saved onto a USB memory stick.
ii. Documents can also be saved through cloud computing, using applications such as Hotmail's SkyDrive or through Googlemail.
- Use of Software / Hardware
i. Users must not alter, delete, or download software onto our computers.
ii. If you are found causing wilful damage to our hardware or software, the service will be withdrawn from you, and we reserve the right to refuse you access to other library services, and/or notify the police.
iii. Users are permitted to use USB drives (Memory Sticks) and personal headphones with the public computers. However, users are not permitted to connect any other piece of hardware to either the computers or the network.
iv. Users must not unplug any library equipment, and may not plug in their own portable equipment into a power socket.
- Booking PCs in Advance
i. Each Library member will be able to book public PCs in advance at any Library, either remotely or in the Library.
ii. Sessions can be booked initially for 1 hour per day, but can be extended for up to 1 hour, subject to the availability of the PC / PCs in a particular Library.
iii. We reserve the right to cancel bookings if users fail to arrive.
iv. Late arrival at a booking may result in the booked PC no longer being available to the user.
v. We reserve the right to cancel block bookings.
- Any commercial or business purpose is strictly prohibited.
- User sessions may be monitored and we reserve the right to take control of any public computer for purposes that include but are not restricted to: assisting users, preventing/recording/evaluating system errors, upgrading services, investigating policy breaches.
- We reserve the right to terminate user sessions where inappropriate content is accessed, downloaded, printed or this policy is contravened in any way. We further reserve the right to withdraw the use of this service at our sole discretion.
- All Internet searches and websites accessed are logged and can be traced to individual machines and users at specific times where necessary. You are responsible for any and all searches, sites and content you access or download. Where there is evidence of extreme misuse, the police authorities may be informed.
- We strongly recommend that users do not use public computers for sending credit/debit card transactions or bank details to online merchants, suppliers or Internet banks. The Internet is not a secure medium and we recommend that users act in a responsible manner with regard to personal data. We can bear no responsibility for theft of identity, monies or fraud that result from a user's use of our ICT services.
- Children and Young People
i. Consent of parents or legal guardians is required before any child under the age of 16 years can use the Internet. Without parental consent, children will have limited access to some software on the public PCs, including Office applications.
ii. We accept no responsibility for the sites or content any child or young person may access.
iii. Parents/Guardians should be aware that whilst filtering software is used on public computers, we cannot guarantee children will not be able to access inappropriate material.
We advise and encourage parents/guardians to supervise their child's use of the Internet at all times.
iv. Parents/Guardians should be aware that children may access chat rooms and it is their responsibility to ensure their child acts appropriately and safely.
We advise they do not send or reveal any personal details or agree to meet people.
- Unsociable Behaviour
i. Users and non-users will respect the privacy of others, and will refrain from attempting to view or read material being used by others.
ii. Library staff are authorised to limit, at their own discretion, the number of people gathered around any one computer.
iii. Bullying or any other form of interference in another's use of a computer will not be tolerated.
iv. Users must end their session and leave the computer when asked to do so by authorised library staff.
v. Users should not disturb others. If sound files are accessed, or a website generates sound then users should bring their own headphones, or buy a set from the library desk.
- We reserve the right to alter this policy or withdraw this service at any time.