WOODBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY
ELECTRONIC RESOURCE POLICY
The
Woodbury Public Library is pleased to offer the use of computers to the public.
Our public-access computers are located on the second floor of the library.
These computers offer filtered access to the Internet as well as a variety of word
processing, encyclopedia and resume-creation software, etc. These computers are
available to LOGIN members and visitors. Users will be asked to show a library
card or ID at the reference desk in order to use library computers, or to sit,
stand or work with those accessing these computers. Children under 12 years of
age may use computers on the library’s second floor only while accompanied by a
parent or guardian. Children between the ages of 12 and 17 may use them independently
after submitting an Agreement for Use form signed by a parent or legal
guardian.
Our Children’s
The
Library’s electronic resources are limited and must be shared. Computers are
available on a first-come first-served basis, and may not be reserved in
advance. If no computer is available a user may put their name on a waiting
list. When a computer becomes available the user must be nearby and ready to
sign on. If that user cannot be easily located, his or her name will be crossed
off the list and the next person on the list will be signed on. In order to ensure that as many people as
possible are able to use library computers a 60-minute time limit will be in
effect. All printing and/or downloading must be completed within this time
limit. However, if there is no one waiting to use the computer at the end that
time a patron may continue, with the understanding that they may be required to
conclude their session promptly and on short notice if the computer is needed
for another user. Users must conclude their computer session, including printing
and paying for printouts, at least 5 minutes before the Library’s scheduled closing
time.
Patrons
using the Library’s public-access computers are expected to know the
fundamentals of computer use. Regrettably, staff is not able to offer extensive
assistance or in-depth training. If time permits, library staff will try to
help with getting users started, basic computer problems, and suggestions on
effective Internet searching. However the Library cannot guarantee that staff
familiar with the use of computers and the Internet will be available to assist
users during all Library hours.
The
Library’s computers are primarily for use by a single individual except in the
case of minors accompanied by a parent or guardian. If it is important for two
persons to sit together for other reasons, exceptions may be made at staff
discretion. In all cases a maximum of two persons may work at one computer, and
both individuals must first show ID and sign in at the reference desk.
Library
computers may be used without charge, but 15˘
per page will be charged per page for black ink printouts. Color copies are
not generally available. Patrons are responsible for payment of all copies that they caused to be
printed. It is suggested that patrons use the ‘Print Preview’ command to
determine how many pages a print request may create before printing. Please pay
for copies at the Reference Desk upstairs, or the Circulation Desk downstairs.
Although
the library employs anti-virus software, files on public computers or downloaded
from the Internet may contain viruses. Users are advised to have virus-checking
software on their home computers. The Library is not responsible for any damage
done to computer users’ disks or hardware, or for any loss of data, damage or
liability that may occur from any use of the Library’s equipment.
Users
of the Library’s computers are expected to use this resource in a responsible
and courteous manner consistent with the educational and informational purposes
for which it is provided, and to abide by all rules and procedures established
for its use including the following:
Users may not store their data on the hard drives of library
computers. Any data saved on the
hard drive is automatically deleted whenever a computer reboots, and at the end
of each business day. If it is necessary to store data we recommend the use of
a USB-powered device such as a flash drive.
All library computers are equipped with front-access USB ports for this
purpose. A limited number of the library’s computers are also equipped with 3
˝” floppy disk drives and pre-formatted floppy disks may be purchased at the
Reference Desk for 50˘. However, floppy disk drives are no longer available on
new computers, so this method of storage will continue to become less available
at the library as we replace older computers.
Users may not plug devices into the rear of library
computers, or into the outlets and power strips that provide electricity to
library computers.
Users are prohibited from using
library computers for activities constituting violation of any law, including
(but not limited to)
Users may not attempt to alter or
circumvent the setup or security arrangements of library computers in any way.
Users may not turn off the library’s
computers.
Users must refrain from the deliberate propagation of
computer viruses, etc. Any violation of this rule will result in
immediate loss of computer privileges at the Library.
Users must respect the privacy of other computer users. This
includes not representing oneself as another user, not trying to gain access to
someone else’s data, and not ‘hovering’ over others using computers.
Users are responsible for damage
to the equipment beyond that which occurs with normal usage. Parents are responsible for any damage on the
part of their children under the age of 18.
Internet Access:
The
Library’s 16 public-access computers offer access to the Internet primarily as
an informational and educational resource. However, not all information
available on the Internet is accurate, current, or complete. In addition,
language, ideas and images can be found on the Internet which may be considered
offensive, inappropriate or inflammatory. The provision of Internet access does
not imply that the Library endorses the content or point of view of any of the
information or commentary that may be found on the Internet. Our public-access
computers currently employ commercial filtering technology aimed at blocking
material that is pornographic, illegal, sexually explicit, or which actively
promotes hatred, racism, etc. However, no filter is totally effective in a
rapidly changing electronic environment. Our filter cannot block all
potentially objectionable material, and we cannot entirely protect any
individual from images or language which they might find offensive or
disturbing. Interfering
with or deliberately attempting to circumvent the filtering software is
prohibited.
The second floor of the Library, where our public
Internet computers are located, also houses our Reference collection and is a
designated silent study area. Computer users and those accompanying them,
including children, will be expected to observe this designation and respect
other library users’ need for quiet in this area. Those unable to comply, or
whose behavior becomes inappropriate for the setting, will be required to leave
the area. This public area is also
shared by library users of all ages and sensibilities, and individuals are
asked to consider this before accessing potentially controversial material.
Library staff cannot consistently monitor the public’s use of computers other
than for length of use. However, we reserve the right for staff members to
require an individual to discontinue the display of material that could be
considered inappropriate in time, place or manner. Patrons who have been
repeatedly warned about the display of such material will not be given further
access to Library computers.
As
with other Library materials, parents or guardians and not the Library or its
staff are responsible for the Internet material selected or accessed by their
children. While filters are employed (see previous page), it is impossible to totally prevent
access to all resources which may be deemed inappropriate for children.
Children who use the Internet unsupervised may be exposed to objectionable or
disturbing information and images. Parents
are strongly advised to monitor and guide their children’s use of the Internet.
Users
are cautioned that security in an electronic environment such as the Internet
cannot be guaranteed and that all transactions, files, and communications are
vulnerable to unauthorized access and should therefore be considered public.
The Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect,
arising from its connections to the Internet.
For
the convenience of our patrons, the Library maintains a list of Internet
Explorer ‘Favorites’ or and Firefox ‘Bookmarks.’ Any changes made to Library computers,
including Bookmarks and Favorites left by users, are automatically deleted by
our security software. If patrons have a suggestion for a site they feel should
be permanently marked they are invited to notify a staff member.
Due
to the drain on the bandwidth available to other library users, file-sharing activity
is prohibited. This includes using P2P or friend-to-friend utilities such as Limewire, etc., as well as any method of downloading music or
video content to iPods, MP3 players, flash drives or similar devices. Depending
on current bandwidth availability, we may also require users to refrain from
other high-bandwidth activities such as streaming video and audio.
Additional
user responsibilities for Internet use include:
Refraining from illegal or unethical
use of the Internet;
Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as
another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords,
or data belonging to others; and by not seeking disallowed access to any
computer system via the Internet;
Refraining from the transmission of
threatening, harassing or abusive material.
Misuse
of library equipment, inappropriate behavior while using computers or failure
to abide by the library’s Electronic Resource Policy may result in the
suspension or loss of the privilege of using library computers. The Library
reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.
Updated and adopted by the Woodbury
Library Board of Trustees on