On our computers you can use the Internet and Microsoft Office software (word processing etc.). The Internet is provided as a public information and E-mail service.
The following is an extract from our full
Terms and Conditions. Please download the document for reference from the right hand panel, or ask a member of library staff for a copy on your next visit.
1. To use our Public Computer Service you must be a library member. You can join today if you are not already a member. You may be asked to show your library card before accessing the computers.
2. Users aged 16 and over may access the service for a maximum of 90 minutes per day. A session may be extended beyond this if availability allows, at the discretion of the library employee. Computer sessions may be booked by the half hour, a maximum of one week in advance.
3. Services are available to children aged 8 and over. Children under 8 may only access the service when accompanied by a responsible adult aged 16 years or older, who is registered to use our public computers. Children may use the service for a maximum of 60 minutes per day.
4. The use of 'Chat' services are not allowed for users under 16 years old. Access to games is at the sole discretion of staff and may be restricted to specific times of day and/or specific computers. Please ask for further details.
5. You must not deliberately change the set up of the public computers. This includes downloading software to the computer. If you do so you may be suspended from further use of the library's computers.
6. We only allow the legal download of music, from approved sites. Please ask staff for a guide to sites which we allow you to use.
7. A4 print outs cost 10 pence for black & white and 50 pence for colour.
8. We recommend that you back up your documents to CD or USB flash drive. You can purchase these from our libraries.
9. You must not deliberately access any sexually explicit, racist or other offensive material. It shall be at the sole discretion of library staff as to what constitutes offensive material. A filtered Internet service is provided, but this cannot guarantee complete protection from offensive material.
10. A log of Internet sites visited is kept. This will be examined to monitor sites visited if misuse is suspected. We reserve the right to check your computer's log without informing you. Secure personal information is not kept or accessed in this way.
11. The computers provided are equipped with virus protection software. However, we cannot guarantee total protection from viruses when using our PCs.
12. Your right to use the Public Computer Service is not transferable to anyone else. If you allow your library card to be used by anyone else without prior written consent by Gateshead Libraries you will be responsible for any misuse, loss or damage caused. If your library card is lost or stolen you must inform Gateshead Libraries as soon as it is possible to do so.
13. Staff may finish a session if these conditions of use are broken. Gateshead Libraries reserve the right to suspend or ban any user from access to the Public Computer Service.
14. These
Terms and Conditions may be amended from time to time. A current version will be available at all libraries.
If you see a message on screen saying that a program or web site is blocked, please check that you are not accessing something banned by the policy. If the program or site is blocked by mistake, please inform staff and they will investigate.
