Terms and conditions

1. Nature of services provided

The Smart Cape Computer facilities as well as the Smart Cape Wireless Internet Access facilities are provided by the City of Cape Town and are available for use by any member of the public. Users must be a member of the library, and have a valid Library Card; users will need their Library Card number to register to make use of the facilities for the first time.

The Smart Cape Computer facilities provided at a Smart Cape Access Point enable users to:

  • Prepare and/or amend, read or print documents such as a letter or CV
  • Prepare and/or amend, read or print a spreadsheet
  • Prepare and/or amend, read or print a presentation
  • Use the Internet to search for information
  • Send and receive e-mail - you will be given an email address: yourusername(at)smartcape.org.za
  • Save documents on a removable USB memory stick (you must supply this yourself).

The Smart Cape Wireless Internet Access facilities enable a user to:

  • Access the internet via a personal Wireless Enabled device

Except for printing, use of these facilities is at no charge and on a 'first come, first service' base. Users can not book sessions in advance.

Each individual user can only make use of the computer facilities (this is called a session) only once every day, regardless of the session length. The standard session length is 45 minutes, but this can be varied at the discretion of the Access Point administrator. If the session was ended before the allocated session time ran out, the remaining minutes can not be used in a new session.

Each individual can make use of the Wireless Internet Access for an unlimited amount of sessions and there is no time limit on each session. The data usage is not unlimited and each user will only be allowed to use a certain amount of data per month which is enforced by tracking individual data usage. At the beginning of each calendar month the data usage is reset.

Printing must be paid for in advance.

2. Registering as a user of the Smart Cape facilities

In order to make use of the Smart Cape Computer or Wireless Internet Access facilities at an Access Point (this is initially a library that hosts these facilities), users must first register. Registration involves the selection of a unique username and password. These should be memorized and kept confidential. Usernames become the prefix of each registered users e- mail address - choose carefully! Once this has been done users can make use of the Computer Facilities as well as the Wireless Internet Access facilities at this and every other Smart Cape Access Point.

Users can then access their e-mail from any computer with an Internet connection.

In order to register, users will be asked to provide certain personal information. The Smart Cape Privacy Policy explains what Smart Cape does with this information.

Each individual library member may only register as a user once. No individual may operate more than one username, or make use of the username and password of another registered user.

If an individual user does not use the facilities for a period of twelve months, then that user's registration will be canceled. To use the computers again the individual must re-register.

If an individual  is found not to conform to the Terms and Conditions and/or the Conditions of Use the registration will be canceled and future registration may be denied.

3. Storing information

Information in the form of electronic files received, created or otherwise owned by the user cannot be stored on the Smart Cape Computers, with the exception of e-mail. E-mails will be stored until they are deleted by the owner (user). If the storage capacity of the mailbox (5MB) is exceeded, then e-mail sent to it will be returned to the sender. If your registration is canceled then your mailbox will be emptied and the e-mail in it deleted.

Users are responsible for saving and storing their electronic files onto USB memory sticks . Users must provide their own sticks for this purpose. The City of Cape Town will not accept any responsibility for the loss or damage of these files or any other electronic data.

4. Use of the Internet

To fulfill its vision of Cape Town as a Smart City, the City of Cape Town provides limited access to Internet resources to its citizens. As such Smart Cape Access Point computers are electronic communications devices. The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national and international sources of information. However, some information found on the Internet may be inaccurate, incomplete, dated, or offensive to some individuals. A good information consumer must evaluate the validity and appropriateness of information found.

This version issued 25 January 2010