Computers, tablets, Hublets and internet

All use of Internet and other ICT facilities provided by Warwickshire County Council’s Library Service is subject to the conditions set out in this Acceptable Use Agreement. By using the facilities you are agreeing to comply with these conditions. Failure to comply can result in access to the facilities being withdrawn.

ICT equipment and internet access – acceptable use agreement

The following is prohibited conduct:

1. the creation, viewing, uploading, downloading, printing, transmitting or copying of material in contravention of any law
2. the creation, viewing, uploading, downloading, printing, transmitting or copying of any material that is likely to cause offense or discomfort to others in the library
3. the creation, viewing, uploading, downloading, printing, transmitting or copying of any material that promotes radicalisation or extremism
4. any acts which cause wilful damage to the computer or network, in contravention of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 or otherwise, or interference with the hardware, software or operation of the computers, or to attempt to gain unauthorised access to the network
5. attaching any devices to ICT equipment other than USB storage devices for the purposes of saving, uploading or printing work
6. behaving in a manner which is likely to cause offence or embarrassment to other library users
7. creation and/or transmitting, by e-mail or otherwise, to any person or for uploading to any website, any wording, or links to any material, which could be regarded as offensive, illegal, intimidating, discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic, defamatory, or in any other way encouraging of violence or hatred
8. downloading or watching BBC programmes on demand, including BBC iPlayer, or accessing live TV programmes or extracts from any broadcaster

References to contravention of any law includes all laws enforceable in the English courts.

All of the council’s public access computers are monitored on a regular basis. The council actively works with the police to ensure that any infringements constituting breaches of the law are reported to them.

The council accepts no responsibility or liability for any matter, claim, action, inaction, proceedings, demand, damage, loss, cost, charge or expense which any person may suffer or incur, either directly or indirectly, through the use of this service, except as required by law.

The user will indemnify the council and keep the council fully and effectively indemnified against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands, damages and costs occasioned to Warwickshire County Council as a result of any breach of this Acceptable Use Agreement.

The following conditions also apply to use of internet and other ICT facilities provided by the council’s library service.

1. Free public access to the internet and other computer resources are provided by the council 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. Computers may only be accessed 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 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 council affirm the right and responsibility of parents/carers of children to determine and monitor their own children’s use of the council materials and resources, including the Internet (* 11 years if attending Secondary School).
4. The council 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 council 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 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.