Christchurch City Libraries Public Internet Use Policy
Preamble
Christchurch City Libraries' mission is to… "provide quality resources and services that meet residents’ needs for knowledge, recreation and information." (Library alive in our community, p.2)
Christchurch City Libraries has always provided information in a variety of formats and we are pleased to offer the Internet as part of this variety. We provide two Internet services, a free service that allows access to many thousands of Internet sites and a pay service which provides access to the entire Internet.
Christchurch City Libraries' Collection development policy states in clause 6.3:
The Internet:
- allows users to connect to networks of resources outside the Library
- enhances resources already held by the Library
Useful sites will be selected which:
- are designed to be a significant information tool for customers
- will cover as broad a range of interests and viewpoints as possible
- will provide access to resources that will support the needs and interests of customers
Access to most New Zealand and selected overseas sites will be free of charge.
Unlike most resources within the Library, the Internet is an interactive medium that is being changed continuously. No organisation has control over these resources nor complete knowledge of what is on the network. Information on the Internet may be inaccurate, illegal or considered controversial by some users. The Library is not responsible for changes that may occur in the sites.
Christchurch City Libraries offers Internet access in good faith, believing that it can provide useful, reliable and enriching information. We can help you evaluate the information you find. Please ask a librarian for assistance.
All Internet computers are available to anybody who wishes to use them.
As with all other library material, parents and caregivers, not librarians, are responsible for supervising their children’s activities in the library, including their use of the Internet.
Library staff will do all they can to help, but they are not necessarily trained or experienced in all services and programmes available.
General conditions of use that apply to free and pay service
Internet computers may be booked for periods of up to an hour. If not booked, Internet computers are available first come first served. If other people are waiting to use Internet computers you may be asked to stop using them after an hour.
Printing is available only from selected machines, using library membership cards with cash loaded.
When you are using the Internet you should not:
- attempt to violate our computer system security
- do anything illegal, infringe copyright or view indecent material. Christchurch City Libraries reserves the right to prevent access to offensive material
- disturb other people’s use of the library
For reasons of security you cannot:
- install or download software
- use some services or file types
- access the computer’s hard drive
Conditions of use that apply only to free service
Christchurch City Libraries' free Internet service allows you to access all New Zealand sites and selected sites from overseas. Library staff have attempted to provide useful and interesting starting points for your exploration of the Internet and we welcome your suggestions for other sites to be added to this service.
Librarians have selected these sites according to the criteria set out in the Collection Development Policy and mentioned above.
Chat and e-mail are not available.
Conditions of use that apply only to pay service
Christchurch City Libraries' pay service allows you to visit any website, subject to the general conditions above. You can access any web e-mail services, such as Hotmail.
