Libraries and archives

Library terms of use

Customers must act responsibly when using our libraries. View our Acceptable Use Policy for library computers and other terms of use.

Acceptable Use Policy for library computers

Liverpool City Council makes every effort to minimise risks to users of public computers. We are neither responsible nor accountable for much of the material accessible through public computers. We accept no responsibility for any financial loss, personal harm, offence or distress caused as a direct or indirect consequence of using our computers. 

To comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, we ask our customers to adhere to the following:

  1. You must comply with all legal requirements. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Obscene Publications Act 1959 as amended
    • Telecommunications Act 1984
    • Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988
    • Equality Act 2010 including:
      • threatening, hostile, offensive, intimidating or obscene,
      • humiliates or impacts upon the dignity of any person, or
      • promotes less favourable treatment of any person or groups of people that share a specific protected characteristic

  2. You are responsible for complying to the legal protection provided by copyright and license to programs and data.

  3. You must not search for, view, copy, download or print any material which is obscene or illegal, extremist, or may cause offence to others. This includes social media sites such as Facebook, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).

  4. You must not view live television programmes.

  5. You must not damage any library devices (computers, iPads, printers, copiers etc.) or interfere with electrical plugs and cables. You must not alter, amend or delete any of the settings or programs on library computers, iPads or other devices.

  6. Files saved on the hard drive will not be retained when you log off. You are responsible for your documents and data. We recommend you delete anything created and temporarily stored on the computer and logging out of all active sessions before logging out of a library computer.

  7. You must not use library computers to attempt to propagate any virus or other software with malicious intent. Please take care when opening unsolicited emails.

  8. You may only log on with your own library card. You must not use someone else's account to access information. Using someone else's account may result in that account being disabled.

  9. The consumption of food and drink is not permitted at public computers in all libraries. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

All use is monitored, and all computer transactions are recorded.

If you misuse library computers, you will be asked to leave and may be refused access in future.

Computer use by children

Children are welcome to use library computers. The Acceptable Use Policy applies to children as well as adults.

Please note that the parent or guardian of a child who misuses library computers will be required to sign a consent form to allow further use.

Animals in libraries

In the UK, emotional support animals do not have legal recognition in the way that assistance dogs do. These animals are used to support people with a range of support needs including mental health and autism. However, these animals are not specifically trained to carry out any particular task, as is the case with assistance dogs, but rather their role is to be a source of comfort or support to their owner or handler.
 
While the benefits that having a therapy animal can bring are understandable, any animal accompanying a visitor must be an ADUK registered assistance dog in order to be allowed into library premises.
 
In cases where it is not clear, and the visitor has no evidence of accreditation it will be up to the Head of Service or a member of the libraries management team's discretion to make exceptions to this procedure.

Further information