Topic: Computer Use Policy

Topic type: General

Library policy explaining the terms and conditions of use that apply to public internet use.

Principle

1.1 HOROWHENUA LIBRARY TRUST provides public computing facilities to support its educational and recreational mission.

1.2 The Trust expects all users of computing facilities to act responsibly and ethically. It is not acceptable for users to attempt to interfere with the normal operation of computing systems.

1.3 The Trust has the right to monitor, access, and review all Internet use within the libraries, and to retain usage records. Such records may be made available during investigation of criminal computer use.

Application

2.1 Users may not use computing facilities in a way that violates any applicable laws, contractual agreements, or licenses, including copyright laws;

2.2 Users may not use computing facilities and resources in a manner considered harmful or harassing to another person.

2.3 The following examples of unacceptable use have been provided as an aid to interpreting the principles above:

copying of licensed or copyrighted software is not permitted by law or by contract;
purposefully accessing and/or transferring offensive and objectionable material from the Internet; eg. racist or sexually explicit content;
sending harassing or libellous electronic mail;
utilising a loophole in a computer's operating system or knowledge of a privileged password to damage a computer system or to gain access to a system or resource to which the user is not entitled;
using HOROWHENUA LIBRARY TRUST facilities to gain unauthorised access to computer facilities anywhere.