Stanley Ho Library Internet Policy

The Electronic Library integrates electronic resources subscribed by OUHK as well as selected internet resources around the world; and, with the Library's printed collection, enhances the Library's existing collection size and depth. Materials collected within the Electronic Library are considered to be of educational value in the context of the University setting.

Disclaimer

• Library can only assume responsibility for the information provided on its Electronic Library's homepage and supporting web pages resident to its server, which are appropriate to the University setting.

• Library does not guarantee the accuracy, validity, completeness, or timeliness of information obtained through the internet. Users must accept responsibility for determining content and quality of the information accessed.

• Library does not attempt to control access to or content of materials, and cannot protect users from offensive information, but does not endorse any viewpoints represented on the internet.

• Users should not copy or distribute electronic materials (including e-mail, text, images, programs or data) without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. Any responsibility for any consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user. The University and the Library shall not be held responsible for any infringement of intellectual property rights that might arise from such use.

• Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from use of its computer and network facilities, or from connection to internet services.

Guidelines for Access to Electronic Library and Use of Library Equipment

• Users should not use the Library internet connection for any purposes which violate laws, to transmit threatening, offensive, obscene, pornographic or harassing materials, or to interfere with or disrupt other network users or Library computer users, services or equipment. These include, but are not limited to: distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer worms and viruses, using the network to make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible via the network, and harassment of users. Illegal acts involving the Library's internet connection may be subject to prosecution by the authorities.

• Unattended computers may be taken up by other users if the computers are left idle for more than 15 minutes.
  Neither is the Library nor the subsequent users responsible for any loss or damage of the data. On-duty Library staff may also remove the unattended personal belongings in the seats and is not responsible for loss or damage of the personal property.

• Users may not use the Library computers to engage in work not related to your learning and study.

• Users should not represent themselves as another person.

• Users will assume full responsibility for any charges that may be assessed for the use of internet sites or facilities. There is no security for credit card numbers or account numbers in the library's software.

• Do not download any files into the hard drives of Library computers. Such files in hard disk will be erased from time to time. All files must be downloaded and/or backed up onto user¡¦s own storage devices. The Library is not responsible for any loss or damage of the data and/or failure of the storage devices.

• Use the Library computers and other equipment in a manner that does not damage the equipment or cause harm to computer systems e.g. spreading viruses. Do not change the configuration of any of the software on these computers.

• Library computers are provided for OUHK users' access to the Internet. They are not intended for word processing or any other computing functions. Do not install software on any of these computers and do not run any programs from floppy disks or CD-ROMs. Do not alter or attach equipment to the all library's hardware.

• You may not always get to the places on the internet you want to visit. There are many reasons:
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• There are too many internet visitors and the host computer has blocked the outsider's access;

• The internet resource is licensed to a particular institution, in which case you need to be affiliated with the institution to get access;

• The host computer has changed its address or has closed down;

• The library's internet connection may be periodically and temporarily not available due to technical difficulties.

The Stanley Ho Library of The Open University of Hong Kong reserves the right to modify this policy at any time and reserves the right to deny access to anyone at any time that staff consider that these guidelines are being violated.

By using the Library PC to access Electronic Library services or other internet resources, you will be deemed to have agreed to abide by the above guidelines.

All information provided on Electronic Library will be reviewed and changed periodically. If you have any queries about the accuracy of the information and its use, please email your comments to libwww@ouhk.edu.hk .

Revised February 2009

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