Public Use Computer (PUC) Policy

To support its vision of being the "essential life long learning centre of our community" and its mission of being "where people go for the discovery of ideas, the joy of reading, and the power of information", the Halifax Regional Library provides to its customers access to a variety of computer and computer related equipment.

Equipment is available free of charge at every library branch for the informational, recreational and educational needs of library customers. These needs are supported through access to the internet, office software, learning software and children"s learning games.

Halifax Regional Library strives to provide equitable access to information and computer technology to all its customers through various policies and procedures.

Across the system, computer technology is available for adults and youth. Different configurations of work stations are available including family use work stations and three training centres for community group use. Wired study carrels (internet and electrical access) are also available at Keshen Goodman and Tantallon branches where customers may use their own laptop or personal data assistants.

The specific software or functionality available will vary from branch to branch and access to public use computers may be limited for specific activities (e.g. training sessions). Printing charges are levied by pages printed; printing is not available from wired study carrels.

Staff will provide assistance for software and hardware but will not provide support for customers" personal hardware or software used on laptops or PDAs.

Customers must be a Halifax Public Libraries card holder in order to use a public use computer or internet connection.

Any restrictions on borrowing status due to outstanding fines or fees do not apply to public use computers.

Software on Library computers is copyrighted and may not be reproduced.

Use of the public computers is governed by the Public Use of Library Facilities Policy and the Internet Access Policy.

Disclaimer
Users access Library computers and associated software at their own risk. The Library is not responsible for equipment malfunction, damage to disks, loss of data, transmission of data (secure or otherwise), data saved on a library computer or for personal computers, laptops, or other devices such as PDAs.

Halifax Public Libraries' wireless network is not secure. Information sent from your wireless device could be captured within or near the Library. The Library assumes no responsibility for your equipment, or any alterations or loss of configurations, security, or data (captured or otherwise) resulting from connection to the Library's wireless network.