Internet acceptable use agreement
When you login to a library computer to access the internet or other computer services, you must first read our acceptable use agreement and agree to the terms of use.
Thurrock Libraries Public Library Network - Acceptable Use Agreement
Welcome to Thurrock Council’s Public Library Network In order to access this service you MUST read the following information and agree to the terms of use.
Conditions of use
1. Thurrock Libraries has no control over the information provided on theInternet and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy, quality, validity,
legality, or usefulness of the information retrieved. Thurrock Libraries cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage resulting from the use of material provided through this medium and accepts no responsibility for the content or technical functionality of any external website.
2. To ensure that everyone has a fair chance to use the Public Computers, we operate a booking system. Pre-booked sessions will only be held for 10 minutes. Customers may only book the facility for a maximum of 2 hours inany single day. You may reserve your time slot up to 7 days in advance.
3. Please be aware that library PCs are not available in the last quarter of an hour before a library closes. Sessions will end quarter of an hour before both the end of a day and at those libraries with lunch time closures. Customers will not be able to log in after this time.
4. Sessions may be extended beyond the 2 hour limit for a fee (please check with a member of staff the current prices). Session extensions are subject to availability.
5. Thurrock Libraries does not accept any responsibility for the availability of the internet service, nor does it guarantee that any bookings made in advancewill be honoured if circumstances dictate otherwise.
6. Thurrock Libraries cannot be held responsible for slow responses, the non-availability of any web site or a communication failure, or any other matter in connection with Internet access and accepts no liability for damage or loss, direct or indirect, arising from the use or unavailability of its public access computers and Internet facilities.
7. Thurrock Libraries cannot be held responsible for any damage to personal devices due to system malfunction, or any other reason.
8. Staff may assist customers by recommending internet resources and whilst every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of such information, Thurrock Libraries can accept no liability for loss or damages arising from use of any information accessed in this manner.
9. It is necessary to hold library membership with Thurrock, Essex County Council or with The Libraries Consortium and to have a password in order to use the computer equipment and the internet. Customers must only use their own library membership. Any customer found using the system with membership credentials other than their own will be barred from using the service. If it is believed that the credentials used were willingly provided the provider will also be barred from using the service.
10. We have “bookmarked” web pages of interest to users generally. Please note that if you save material on this machine it may be seen by other users if you do not delete it before you finish your session or if you do not log out properlyAnything saved or scanned will be deleted once you log out. You may not alter, amend or delete any of the programmes or settings already resident on the computer or in its memory.
11. If you do not sign out properly it will impact the amount of time left on your session.
12. Due to space limitations, no more than two people are permitted at the terminal at one time. Anyone at a library computer must have a current Thurrock, Essex County Council Library ticket or The Libraries Consortium membership. If the user is under 16 the ticket must have parental consent noted. Anyone seated at a terminal must abide by the Internet Acceptable Use Agreement.
13. We regret that although our staff may sometimes be able to offer very basic help we cannot provide training on a day-to-day basis.
14. Thurrock Libraries reserves the right to monitor Internet use.
Use by children
1. Parents, guardians or carers are advised to accompany children under the age of 16 when they access the Internet and are responsible for their children’s use of this service. Library staff are unable to police children or young people’s access to the Internet.
2. All customers under the age of 16 are required to register as a library member with parental consent and the library ticket must be produced when attending the session.
Copyright & Content Filtering
1. Copyright laws must not be infringed. All customers must ensure that they have the appropriate authority or permission to download, copy or print any material. If you are in doubt, please check with the source of the information. All printouts must be paid for. o Under the Obscene Publications Acts (1959 and 1964), Telecommunications Act (1984) and The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994), users of the Internet facilities in Thurrock Libraries are not permitted to read, view, create, copy, store, distribute, circulate, sell, lend or publish any material which: any material which is considered to be pornographic or obscene in nature, or any data capable of being resolved into obscene or indecent images or material o any material which is racist, defamatory, offensive, libellous or slanderous in nature o any material which is considered to be violent or abusive in nature of any material which may cause harassment or gross offence to other library users o any material which may contravene English law. The decision whether material falls into any of the above categories rests with the Library Officer on duty.
2. Thurrock Council may make use of filtering software on its computers, but cannot be held responsible for any access made to sites containing unlawful or unsuitable material. Thurrock Libraries retain the right to remove and destroy any printed material which breaches this clause.
Third party websites
1. Any transactions with third parties, including financial, are at the user’s own risk. In view of the risks, users are recommended to exercise care in giving their personal details, including credit card details, over the Internet and in particular about making any appointments to meet people. Thurrock Council does not accept any responsibility for any contract made between its customers and third-party organisations and will not be responsible for any contracts, goods or services ordered via the Internet.
2. Although Thurrock Council makes every effort to ensure that no viruses are transmitted, the Council cannot accept responsibility for any viruses which may be transmitted, or liability for loss or damages arising from the use of any computer equipment it provides, including any loss of data.
3. Customers must not load their own software or connect their own equipment, other than memory sticks, mobile phones and personal headphones to the Library equipment. Customers must not make any attempt to reconfigure, hack or damage computer equipment. Customers must not use the library computers to gain unauthorised access to the Library’s networks, computer systems or to any other network.
4. The library PCs must not be used for the distribution of unsolicited advertising. Customers must not subscribe to any services that incur a cost to the library.
5. Customers must not act in any way which will destroy or corrupt data belonging to other users, violate the privacy of others or disrupt the work of others.
6. Downloading is only permitted to own devices if no additional software is required, ie memory sticks or to charge a phone. A member of staff may terminate use of the service if a user fails to comply with any of the above conditions. If there is a serious breach of the conditions or a customer continues to disobey the regulations, this may result in the customer being banned from using the Public Library Network. Thurrock Libraries reserve the right to amend this policy as and when required.
Thurrock Libraries reserves the right to amend this policy as and when required.