Many thanks to everyone who responded to my Post about Public Access
Computers. Apologies for the delay in posting this Summary.

Registration & Booking.

Manchester: Library Membership required. 30 mins, 1 or 2 hour slots
available. Computers barcoded, so “issued” to users for time required. 2
hours maximum per day.

South Glos: 30 mins. Booking system.

Worcestershire: Library membership required.  30min or 1 hour slots.
Booking system. Consecutive slots possible at staff discretion.

Derby: ID required, sign disclaimer form. Generally no bookings taken –
just turn up.
30 min slots, to whatever amount the user is willing to pay for.

Kent: 1 hour slots, but will go to no time restrictions when People’s
Network in.
Booking currently because too few pcs for demand. When PN in, think booking
will be unworkable with 20 pcs on site, and not in spirit of inclusion.
(Except for pc with scanner)

Hull: Library members, but visitors allowed on. 10 min email slot, 50 min
internet use.
Booking system.

Gwynned: Library members. Sign Acceptable Use Policy on arrival. Booking
system. 30 min sessions, will be extended when more pcs installed.

Norfolk: Register for Public Internet Service.  Can pre-book. 30 min
sessions, automatic log-off, but can log back on if no-one else waiting.

Powys: Use open to all – sign in on arrival (AUP part of booking sheet, in
loose-leaf binder)
1 hour sessions, but 30mins in peak times. Maximum 4hrs per week per user
(but commonsense used).

Trafford: Library members.  2 hr time limit, but can stay on if no-one
waiting. Computers barcoded, & issued to users using TALIS system.

West Lothian: Must join library. Dynix system to issue pcs. Data used for
stats & marketing purposes. No time limits, except use limited to 1 hour
for people on benefits/senior citizens (who should have first 2 hours in
day free) - due to demand.

Reading: “Drop in Service” introduced, but some users now complain about
not being able to book! No time-limits but this is causing some problems
because of heavy use.

Warrington: Register & book using Library ticket. AUP to be signed. 1hour
time limit, unless there’s a computer free.

Richmond: Book in, don’t register. 30 minute time-limit.

Security

Manchester: “S to Infinity” software to prevent users altering settings.
Anti virus software on all pcs.  Own discs can be used.

South Glos: DS system prevents users tampering. Own discs can be used on
stand alone pcs, not on networked.  Being discussed.

Worcestershire:  Customised browser with disabled toolbars etc. But users
still manage to change settings. Own discs can be used on stand alone pc,
not on networked, even with virus checker installed.  Being reviewed as PN
will be separated from corporate network by heavy-duty firewalling (“DMZ”)

Derby:  Using NT4 & Server Profiles, desktop locked solidly. Only option
from start button is to shut down. IE Admin kit used to customise browser
security.
Need to ensure configuration is right before installing throughout – need
to allow for Java, Adobe applications needed by some web sites. Norton
Ghost or similar useful for copying onto all machines when you have made
changes.
No access to diskette-drives allowed so far, but many complaints from
users. Currently testing package called Disknet (www.reflex-magnetics.com)
which checks discs.

Kent: Problems with users altering voltage settings & pcs blowing up! Will
have rebuild disc that will reinstall basic settings after tampering. Will
allow own discs as long as virus checker in place.

Hull: Childlock installed, but still have problems with tampering. Some
problems with users trying to load Freeserve/AOL CDRoms. Discs virus-
checked before use. Pcs all have disc locks.
Looking at Automatic virus checking software for NOF computers.

Gwynedd: “Winlock” installed on all pcs. No discs allowed – discs sold to
users on “use-once” basis.

Norfolk:  Specially-written software to protect settings as far as
possible, but some hackers have still got in. Don’t allow discs currently,
as no word processing or uploading allowed. This will change when PN pcs
are installed.

Powys: Virus checker on each computer.

Trafford: No discs allowed.

West Lothian: Use “PC Bodyguard”. £50 per pc, but has proven to be complete
answer to tampering & viruses. Computers are configured how you wish, then
this is saved on a card which is slotted into machine. Users can customise
settings how they wish, but on reboot, the original settings are restored.
Viruses that have been introduced are removed on reboot.
Own discs allowed.

Warrington: Considering a networking solution that will tie the PCs down
and allow mapping to both CDROM databases and Internet sites. Not decided
if own discs will be allowed.

Richmond: DS gateway and Safety Net software (Library catalogue providers)
used which restricts access to Windows and IE settings. No discs.



Internet filtering

Manchester: Filtered through Council Server – sites can be unblocked on
request. No Chat rooms.

South Glos: Filtered using Cyber Patrol

Worcestershire: Council Policy to filter. Updated monthly, but not always
100% effective- works on URLs not words, so can’t detect new sites &
changed URLs.

Derby: Not filtered. No problems at the moment because users are charged
for access, so are generally business-like & well behaved. When free, they
expect more problems with users accessing unsuitable sites.

Kent: Currently filtered through County Firewall, causing some problems for
libraries (doesn’t allow e-commerce for example). Library staff would like
to go unfiltered, building in safeguards eg AUP on screen requiring user
acceptance before access given. Discussions still ongoing!

Hull: Pcs in Childrens filtered using Websense, Reference pcs not.

Gwynedd: Filtered

Norfolk: Not filtered. Users sign AUP committing themselves not to access
offensive material. Warned if found doing so, & use suspended if they
persist. Parental consent for children to have full access – limited number
of tested & recommended child-friendly sites available in Childrens Library.

Powys: Not filtered. Action (banning) has been taken against users found
viewing inappropriate pages. Internet Explorer history file printed & sent
to user with gentle reminder that these are not acceptable sites.

Trafford: Filtered on Council Network. No Email.

West Lothian: Filtered via package called “I-Gear”. Flexible, it allows
different levels of access. Receive & encourage complaints from users who
have been denied access. Sites can be added to allowed list. Survey of
internet users conducted last year outlining pros & cons of filtering, &
70% indicated the wish to maintain filtering.

Warrington: Discussing Policy. Would like Filtered for Children/Unfiltered
for Adults, but may cause problems corporately.

Richmond: Filtered for Children, unfiltered for Adult..

Printing

Manchester: 20p B&W 50p Colour.

South Glos: 10p B&W 20p Colour.

Worcestershire: 10p

Derby: 10p. Colour Inkjets used, sited behind Library counters.

Kent: 10p B&W £1 colour.

Hull: 10p B&W £1 colour.

Gwynedd: 10p

Norfolk: 10p

Powys: 10p B&W 25p colour A4. 25p B&W 50p colour A3

Trafford: 10p. Colour Inkjet

Reading: 10p

Warrington: probably 50p

Richmond: 10p


Brian Graney
People’s Network Manager
Broadwalk Library
Salford
M6 5FX
0161-736-6563