Computers - Acceptable Use Agreement
1. The Department of Libraries, Learning and Culture provides free public access to the Internet and other computer resources as part of its role in providing access to information, education and leisure opportunities for the whole community and as part of its commitment to supporting lifelong learning. You can only use the computers using your own library ticket number or a guest id provided by staff.
2. Responsibility for activities carried out on the Internet, including financial transactions, rests solely with the individual user and never with the County Council. This also applies to any downloaded material for use elsewhere.
3. Children are actively encouraged to use the Internet and require the consent of their parents/carers to do so if between 12* & 15 years. Children under-12 can only access the ’walled garden’ closed Internet facility and may do so without any parental consent. The Department affirms the right and responsibility of parents/carers of children to determine and monitor their own children’s use of Departmental materials and resources, including the Internet (* 11 years if attending Secondary School).
4. The Department has no control over the information provided on the Internet and cannot be held responsible for the quality, authenticity or accuracy of information obtained. Neither has it any control of the performance of the Internet.
5. Material can be printed from the Internet on payment of the appropriate charge and must comply with current copyright regulations.
6. The Internet contains a wide variety of information and opinions. The Department strives to balance the rights of users to access these resources with the rights of people to use a public environment free from disruptive sounds and offensive visual images.
7. Filtering software is used to restrict access to sites that the County Council deems inappropriate and/or offensive. The effectiveness of any filtering software cannot be guaranteed and any user can recommend that access to a particular site can be permitted or denied using online or paper Customer Comments forms.
8. The user undertakes not to create or access any obscene, offensive or defamatory material, nor to interfere with the hardware, software or operation of the computers, or to attempt to gain unauthorised access to the network.
9. The user will indemnify the County Council and keep the County Council fully and effectively indemnified against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands, damages and costs occasioned to the County Council as a result of any breach of this undertaking.
10. The Department will monitor usage of the Internet and other computer resources via software and visual checks. Any attempt by users to access prohibited sites or other unauthorised material may result in further action being taken, including the withdrawal of Internet access.
11. Please note that under the Obscene Publications Act (1959 & 1964) and the Telecommunications Act (1984), it is an offence to publish an obscene article and to transmit a message or any other matter that is grossly offensive, indecent or threatening over the telephone lines in England and Wales.
12. The user agrees not to use our computers to receive live TV programmes or extracts.
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