Public Access Computer Facilities Policy

Authority

The Library Board of Queensland

Purpose

The purpose of the Policy is to promote rewarding and responsible use of public computer facilities provided by the State Library of Queensland.

Related Procedures

Provisions of the Policy relating to the conduct of members of the public are implemented under the Responsible Conduct Procedures.

Provisions of the Policy relating to use of Internet facilities by people aged 15 – 17 without parental supervision or permission are implemented under the procedures, Unsupervised use of the Internet by people aged 15 to 17 years of age.

Related policies

Intellectual Freedom Policy
Children and Young People Policy
Responsible Conduct Policy
Information Privacy Act 2009

Policy Statement

1. Purpose of service

The State Library provides public access computer facilities in order to facilitate access to the State Library's online services and collections in conjunction with access to the Internet.

2. Scope of service

2.1 Access to computer facilities

Computer facilities include fixed terminals and a wireless Internet connection.

The wireless connection can be used without authentication for an unlimited time.
Use of most fixed terminals requires an e Services card. Use of terminals which may be booked is restricted to a total of two hours per individual per day. Time restrictions also generally apply to use of other fixed terminals.

2.2 Services provided

Through its public access computer facilities the State Library provides free public access to the Internet. All Internet services are available, including webmail.

The State Library provides access to a range of online resources and services through its website. Most of these services and resources are available globally; however some are restricted to use by State library e Services Card holders and some are restricted to use only within State Library premises.

Services and resources available through the State Library's website include:

electronic databases and publications that it has acquired, or acquired access to (including indexes and full text databases of published and unpublished material)
its own databases, including the catalogue and a large databases of digitised heritage material
online reference and information service

Popular software, including the Microsoft Office suite, is also avaliable on some terminals.

3. Censorship

In line with the statement by ALIA (the Australian Library and Information Association) on online content regulation the State Library promotes "the free flow of information and ideas in the interest of all Australians and a thriving culture, economy and democracy" and so does not filter or otherwise censor or control content retrieved through the State Library's Internet connection.

4. Children

With respect to providing access to the Internet the State Library exercises its duty of care to children and young people under 18 years of age through the following measures:

Under the Children and Young People Policy Children under the age of 12 are required to be supervised at all times by a parent or responsible adult. This applies to use of Internet facilities
Young people aged between 12 and 14 years may use Internet facilities unsupervised but must provide written permission by a parent or guardian, on the approved form
Young people aged between 15 and 17 years may use Internet facilities unsupervised but must provide written permission by a parent or guardian or undertake brief training on safe use of the Internet

Professional State Library staff are available to provide parents, teachers and carers with advice and information about safe use of the Internet by children and young people.

5. Risks applying to use of the State Library’s Internet connection

Users are advised of the following risks of using the State Library's public access computer facilities:

State Library cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of information accessed through the Internet, including websites linked to from the State Library website.
As the Internet is an inherently insecure environment, the State Library cannot guarantee the security of any data accessed or transmitted through its Internet connection.
The Internet provides access to material that is offensive and objectionable to members of the public. Consistent with its opposition to censorship the State Library does not attempt to make any content inaccessible through its Internet connection
The Internet is a largely unpoliced domain and is host to people and organisations that pose a danger to others. The State Library does not police or monitor interactions over its Internet connection and users are advised to exercise due care in disclosing personal information over the Internet.

The State Library does not accept any liability for any loss or damage, direct or indirect, that may arise from using the State Library's Internet connection.

6. Expectations of users

The State Library’s Responsible Conduct Policy establishes that users of the State Library are required to be mindful of the needs and sensitivities of other users. This general imperative fully applies to users of computer facilities.

7. Unauthorised use

7.1 Infringement of security

Uses of the State Library's computer facilities that infringe the security of people or property is ground for immediate exclusion from State Library premises and temporary or permanent loss of access to those facilities and may also attract prosecution under civil or criminal law. For the purpose of this policy infringement of security includes:

actions or behaviours that harm, create risk of harm, or threaten harm to any individual, including intimidation and harassment.
theft, destruction of, damage to, or interference with equipment, software, or data belonging to the State Library, other organisations or individuals.
unauthorised copying of copyright-protected material or intentional infringement of licence agreements and other contracts.
the violation or attempted violation of any computer network's security system
the violation of privacy, including unauthorised monitoring of electronic communications

Provisions in the Responsible Conduct Policy establishing consequences of infringing security apply to infringements of security under this Policy.

7.2 Display of offensive or objectionable material

The Responsible Conduct Policy establishes that displaying material that is offensive or objectionable to other members of the public, such as pornography, expressions of racial hatred and violence, is unacceptable. Under the Responsible Conduct Policy anybody who fails to heed an initial request by staff to cease displaying material found to be offensive or objectionable will be issued with a demand to comply or to leave the premises. Further to the Responsible Conduct Policy anybody who repeatedly (more than once) displays content deemed to be offensive or objectionable may be denied use of the State Library’s Internet facilities, at the discretion of the State Librarian.

8. Abuse of allocation protocols

Any person who abuses protocols for allocating computer facilities may have access to facilities restricted or withdrawn.

9. Privacy

The State Library's Intellectual Freedom Policy commits State Library to promoting intellectual freedom and identifies privacy as one of its key conditions. The State Government’s Information Privacy Act 2009 also requires the State Library to uphold the privacy of clients. The State Library therefore does not keep records of the information or sites accessed by users of the State Library's Internet connection. Personal information gathered for the purpose of implementing the Policy (such as details of e Services Card holders and records of infringements of this Policy) is used only for the purposes for which it was originally gathered and is not disclosed to any external party, unless this is lawfully required or unless such disclosure is necessary to counter a serious threat to individual or public safety. Further information about how State Library manages personal information is accessible at www.slq.qld.gov.au/home/privacy.