Computer Use Information

The following information has been produced in order to safeguard the interests of the library and information service and the community it serves.

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains timely and relevant

• conditions of access
• using the computers
• security
• sanctions

Conditions of Access

• Membership
  Access to computers and the Internet within Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service is available free to all library members and visitors to Aberdeenshire.
  Members are issued with a Borrower Card and a PIN number which are used to access the computers. Users are advised not to reveal these numbers to others.
  Visitors to Aberdeenshire are not required to join the Library and Information Service to use our facilities but are required to furnish certain information for monitoring purposes, and are required to read and agree to the Acceptable Use Policy in existence. Visitors are issued with a Visitor Number and PIN number which are used to access the computers
  Suspended library members may not use computers or internet facilities.
  At the start of each computer session all users will be required to confirm acceptance of the 'Computers and Internet: Acceptable Use Policy" which appears on screen at every computer access point and will be held responsible for use of that access point until logged off.
  
• Children and Young People
  Children and Young People under the age of 16 will be allowed access to computers and the internet provided that a parent or legal guardian has signed a consent form on their behalf. This information is recorded on the library management system. Parents or guardians must assume responsibility for the information obtained by the child and ensure the child understands the conditions stated above and acts responsibly.
  
• Cost
  The use of computers and the Internet is free of charge. Charges will apply for printing (black/white and colour), floppy discs and Read/Write CD-Roms (where provided).
  
• Booking a computer session
  Sessions may be booked in advance, up to three days ahead, by telephone, online by e-mail or other means, or in person.
  Sessions can be booked in hourly slots. If the demand for computers is not high at the time, a session may be extended to 2 hours maximum. Booking periods may be revised in response to demand.
  In the event of non appearance after 10 minutes the remaining time may be re-allocated to another user. Repeated non appearance may affect further bookings.
  Subject to availability, some computers may be available for unbooked use.
  No more than two people may use a computer at any one time, at the discretion of library staff.

Using the computers

• Library staff will try wherever possible to help users in the proper use of the computers.
  
• go@l quick guides are freely available to help users access the computers and some of the software. Please ask staff for further information.
  
• If you are interested in more in-depth learning or would like to attend a taster course or an informal computer related course please ask staff for more details of what is available through this library. You may then wish to become a registered learner and use some of the go@l workbooks to support your learning
  
• go@l quick guides and workbooks may be issued for one hour loan periods but they must remain within the library and returned to the issue desk for safe keeping. They must not be photocopied.
  
• To prevent annoyance, sound from the computers is restricted. If you have a particular need, please ask a member of staff, and headphones may be provided.
  
• Users may not install their own software or connect their own computer equipment to library computer equipment.
  
• Special adaptive equipment and/or software is available for users with physical or learning needs - please ask staff for further details.
  
• Downloading and access to file storage
  All registered users will be allocated up to 20MB of storage space on the server, use of which will be monitored and may be deleted if unused.
  Information may be downloaded (within copyright restrictions) to either the user's workspace or to a floppy disk, or to a CD-Rom (with staff permission).
  
• Email
  Free email accounts can be set up and one of the most popular is:- Yahoo (mail.yahoo.com)
  However, individuals are responsible for accepting the terms and conditions associated with each. Aberdeenshire Council does not recommend or take responsibility for email services.
  NB – Children under the age of 16 may only set up email accounts under the supervision of the parent or guardian. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure that filtering of web based email accounts is set at the exclusive/highest setting to ensure that only email is received from known senders.
  
• Chatrooms
  Children and adults may not use chatrooms or attempt to set up chatroom facilities.

Security

• General
  Aberdeenshire Council reserves the right to monitor access to the computers and Internet sites electronically to ensure proper use of the facility and to provide statistical management information.
  Online financial transactions are an increasingly common use of the Internet and are often conducted safely over secure connections. However, Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service cannot be held responsible for any losses resulting from sending confidential information via the Internet.
  Virus-checking software will run on all computers.
  Broadcasting personal or private details over the network may lead to the receiving of unwanted mail or unwanted attention. The user is responsible for any information he chooses to provide over the internet, especially if he chooses to send personal details outside of the European Economic Union.
  
• Filtering
  Aberdeenshire Council uses a screened Internet Service provider in an attempt to screen out offensive and potentially illegal Internet material. However, filtering mechanisms cannot guarantee complete security and may also eliminate material that is perfectly acceptable. The library and information service will respond to requests to either report unsuitable sites or consider requesting release of appropriate sites after careful checking.
  Please use the form provided or ask staff for details.
  Parents or guardians must assume responsibility for deciding what library resources are appropriate for their children.
  If users have any doubts about the appropriateness of the material they are working with, they should check with a member of library staff.
  
• Legislation
  All users of IT must abide by all current relevant legislation and regulations including legislation relating to Copyright, Data Protection and Obscene Publications

Sanctions

• Aberdeenshire Library and Information Service reserves the right to refuse further computer access to any individual who breaches the conditions of the Acceptable Use Policy. In the case of a junior computer user, the parent or guardian who signed the consent form will be notified. In exceptional circumstances any breach of this policy may be reported to the police.
  
• Library staff will direct computer users to remove inappropriate images or text from the screen if, in the staff member's judgement, the image or text is displayed in such a way that other library users cannot reasonably avoid viewing it.
  
• If a user believes that a fellow computer user is abusing the provided facilities, please inform the responsible staff member.
  
• Refusal of computer access
  Library staff on site will determine whether any computer activity is unacceptable and will be subject to confirmation by a Senior Officer of the Library Service through the completion of the Aberdeenshire Council's incident referral procedure.
  Registered users may use the Council's formal complaints procedure to register complaints.