Internet training and access

The Internet provides a variety of research and communications tools including the World Wide Web (www), file transfer, newsgroups,  as well as email (Only Web based email is supported). The Library provides access by a standard browser (Microsoft’s Internet Explorer) to the World Wide Web and email.

Internet Training 

The Internet is for more than just the computer experts among us. Every day millions of people around the world are accessing information and resources vital to their jobs or their studies, or looking up interesting sites on their hobbies, or simply talking with a friend via Email. There’s lots of great information on the Internet, and for many it’s simply a case of not having the opportunity or training to access it.

The Toowoomba City Library is happy to provide Internet access and training to all members of the community. Simply contact us or come in to see us if you’d like to book in for one of these classes.

Toowoomba City Library Internet Policy

To use the Library’s free Internet facilities, you need a current library membership card. When booking and using Library computers, you may reserve the Internet access computers for up to seven sessions a week in 1 hour blocks and can reserve a time slot up to seven days in advance. Only one session per day may be booked.

Latecomers forfeit the unused portion of their reserved time, while really latecomers (more than fifteen minutes) lose their entire reserved time! Please, no more than two people at the computer at a time. Our space is very limited.

You are not permitted to use your own software programs on the Library computers. This will help to prevent the spread of computer viruses. You may not use the facilities if you have library materials on loan which are more than three weeks overdue.

The Internet provides a great opportunity to find information from all over the world, but it can also allow access to material that you or others may find offensive. The Library has no control over the material that can be accessed and parents need to consider if and how they will monitor their child’s use of this resource.

To help parents in this matter, the Library will: 

• Require signed parental or guardian’s authority to permit Internet access for young people under the age of 16.
• Supply young people with an Internet endorsed Library card upon receipt of the parent’s or guardian’s authority.
• Only provide Internet access to young people upon production of their endorsed library card.

Printing is available at 20c  per black and white page or $2.00 for a colour page. Email is available through free providers such as MSNHotmail or Yahoo.

Misuse of Library computers or Internet access by downloading or installing files such as Yahoo!Messenger, toolbars or improper images will result in the loss of your Internet access priviliges. Patrons accessing and viewing websites that contain nudity, obscenity or graphic violence will also have their Internet access privileges suspended.

Toowoomba City Library in conjunction with the Toowoomba Regional Council has implemented a monitoring system to check websites to ensure that no inappropriate websites are accessed. 

Library staff can often help with basic computer use, but if you have difficulty in using the Internet we can refer you to our Internet Classes.

Oakey Library Internet Policy

1. Patrons are entitled to three hours of Internet Access per week with a maximum of one hour per day.
2. In order to avoid viruses, please do not use any personal software on the public access terminals.
3. The Internet provides access to valuable information from all over the world but it also enables access to material that may be offensive. Parents need to consider if and how they will monitor their children's use of this resource. To help parents the Library will:
   •  not provide Internet access to any child under 10 years of age.
   •  require parental or guardian authority to permit Internet access for young people under 16 years of age.
   •  supply young people with an Internet endorsed Library card upon receipt of the parent's or guardian's authority. 
   •  only provide Internet access to young people who have an Internet endorsed Library card.
4. Misuse of a computer or Internet access will result in the loss of Internet access privileges. As all Internet workstations are in full view of other patrons and staff, material on display must be appropriate to a public environment. Users are not permitted to access any materials containing nudity, obscenity or graphic violence.

Internet Access

Internet usage and bookings vary from library to library so please contact us for more information.

Internet Access @ Millmerran Library -  Access to the internet is available to library members. Charges apply.  Email and chat lines may not be used in the libraries.  One public access computer is available at the Millmerran and District Community Support Service for this purpose. One public access computer terminal is currently available at the Cecil Plains Library. 

The libraries do not censor access to material nor do they protect users from information they may deem to be offensive.  Parents or guardians must assume responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet.  Children 15 years and under must have a form of approval signed by a parent or guardian - this form is obtained from the librarians.

The librarians are authorised to end any session, by an adult or a child, where offensive or inappropriate material is accessed.

As only one internet terminal is available, bookings may be made for 45 minute periods, with one booking per person per day.

An internet policy is available upon request.

Internet Access @ Oakey Library -  We have five public access computers. Three hours free Internet access per person per week is available, with a maximum use of one hour per day. 

Internet Access @ Pittsworth Library -  Charges apply. This access is subject to Council's Internet Access policy.  

Internet Access @ Toowoomba City Library  -  Do I need to book?  With the introduction of a new Internet booking service [Pharos] there is no longer any need to see the Library staff to make a booking. You can simply walk into the Library with your Library card and knowing what your PIN is sit down at any Internet workstation and sign yourself in. The system will allow you to use the service for 1 hour each day,

How long is a session?  Library members are allowed a one hour session per day, with the availability of more time accessed by using our short term 15 minute PCs.

Can I use email?  Only Web-based mail services such as Hotmail or Yahoo!Mail are available. Instruction sheets are available at the Internet  Desk. The Library does not offer POP email software.

Children - Children under the age of 16 cannot use the Internet without an 'Internet Access' stamp on their library card. Parents may request this stamp on the child's card at the Registration Desk of the main library. Under no circumstances will a child under the age of ten be permitted to use the Internet without continuous parental supervision.

Staff assistance - Staff assistance is available for basic problems and technical difficulties. If you require more detailed help, we advise you to take a look at the library's Internet Training Classes.