I hope you find the following information useful as a practical example of
how one authority, Nottingham City Libraries and Information Services, has
tackled this issue.
We have been providing downloading facilities at Nottingham Central Library
for just over a year. Sophos Anti- virus software is loaded on all machines
and customers either use their own discs, or purchase discs from us. Any
attempt to access files (downloaded or otherwise) which contain a known
virus is stopped by the Sophos software. No problems have arisen as a result
of this service. The public network is separated from the private network to
protect the local authority network. Border Manager provides the firewall
protection and the server is based at the Central Library.
John Turner
Service Manager
Central Library
Angel Row,
Nottingham
NG1 6HP
Tel: 0115 9152856
Fax 0115 915 2850
Email: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for discussion of the issues arising from implementing the
Internet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Martin Dudley
Sent: 30 January 2001 10:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Downloading
[log in to unmask] wrote:
> As you know, "The People's Network" requires that we allow users to
download
> their work onto disk. Our I.T. Department, however, have strong
reservations
> on this matter, due largely to fear of viruses. Each side of the argument
is
> equally valid; I wonder if there's some "middle ground" somewhere, whereby
> readers can download without compromising the security of the Local
> Authority network. How are other Library Authorities addressing this
> problem?
>
There may be another way that answers to this and other questions may be
found.
As libraries are branded in with UK Online Centres - the Cabinet
Office's preferred term - they should have access to the same resources
as any centre funded under the CALL / NOF programme. (The relationships
between sectors and organisations are spelt out in the recently
published Social
Exclusion Unit's documents on the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy action
plan and Policy Action Team audit available at
http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/seu.)
DfEE has funded a support service for online centres comprising web
based information and discussion services and access to mentors.
Memebership is free for the first year, so it may be worth logging on to
http://www.ictcentre.org.uk/
and starting to share experiences and knowledge.
--
Martin P Dudley
Research and Innovation Services
29 Lang Road, Bishopthorpe, YORK YO23 2QJ, UK
+44 (0)1904 706557
Mobile and SMS: +44 (0)7950 414267
[log in to unmask]
www.riservices.co.uk
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