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 word processing, encyclopedia software, etc. The
majority of these computers are available to LOGIN members in good standing. A
limited number of our public-access computers are also available to other
members of the public, regardless of library membership. Children under 12
years of age may use our public-access computers 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, authorizing Internet access.
Children under 18 whose parents have not submitted an Agreement for Use
form may use a limited number of our public-access computers for purposes such
as word processing, encyclopedia research, etc., but will not be permitted
Internet access. Non-members (as well as members not in possession of their
LOGIN cards) may be asked for identification proving that they are over the age
of
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. Users must sign in at
the Reference Desk. If no computer is available, patrons may put their name on
a waiting list. When a computer becomes available, the patron must be nearby
and ready to sign on. If a patron is not available when a computer opens up,
his or her name will be crossed off the list and the next person in line will
be signed on. In order to ensure that as many people as possible are able to
use library computers, a 30-minute time limit will be in effect. All printing
and/or downloading must be completed within this time limit. Users must log off
promptly when their allotted time is up. However, if there is no one waiting to
use the computer at the end of 30 minutes a patron may continue, with the
understanding that they may be asked to conclude their session promptly if the
computer is needed for another patron.
All public computer sessions, including printing and paying for copies,
must conclude 5 minutes before the Library’s 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 explanations or in-depth training.
Time permitting, 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 computer and Internet-trained staff
will be available to assist users during all Library hours.
The Library’s computers are to be used
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 in other cases,
exceptions may be made at staff discretion. In all cases, a maximum of two
persons may work at one computer, and the person operating the computer must be
the one signed on to it.
Library computers may
be used without charge, but 15˘
per page will be charged for black and white printouts. Printers produce
black and white copies by default.
Patrons interested in color copies should request assistance from a
staff member. Color copies are 50˘ per page and may not always be 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 saved on public computers or downloaded from the Internet may
contain viruses, and patrons 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 or malfunction of the
Library’s hardware or software.
Users of the Library’s computers are
expected to use this library 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 will be automatically deleted at
the end of the computer session. If it is necessary to store data, it may be saved to a 3˝” floppy disk in drive A. For this
purpose, pre-formatted 3˝” disks may be purchased at the Reference Desk for
50˘. All public computers are also equipped with front-access
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 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 modifying passwords, not trying to gain access to someone
else’s date, and not ‘hovering’ over other computer users.
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 14 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, and
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 above), it is impossible to totally prevent
access to all resources that 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 bookmarks. Any
changes to Library computers, including additional Favorites left by users,
will be automatically deleted by our security software. However, if patrons
have a suggestion for a site they feel should be 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 Shareaza,
MUTE, Napshare, 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