GENERAL GUIDELINES
· Persons using the Morris Area Public Library District’s (the Library) Internet and computers are subject to the policies of the Library.
· Computers and Internet access are available for public use on a first-come, first-serve basis.
· Patrons must have a valid Library card in good standing (defined as less than $5 in fees/fines and/or less than 5 overdue items) from the Library to use the computers or Internet. Those from other PrairieCat libraries who have accounts in good standing may receive a guest pass for free. Any patron from a PrairieCat library whose account is not in good standing will not be given computer or Internet access until the account is in good standing. Anyone requesting use of a Library computer who does not have an account from a PrairieCat library may receive one guest pass per day for a fee.
· Patrons who use Library accounts other than their own or who allow others to use their account will have their privileges suspended.
· The use of the Library’s Internet and computers is a privilege, not a right, and the Library reserves the right to limit, refuse, and/or ban any patron from using Library equipment and computers. A suspension of privileges may be appealed in writing to the Library Director.
· Persons age 10 and under must be directly supervised at all times by parent or guardian age 18 or older to use the Library’s computers or Internet. The parent/guardian and youth must sit at the same computer station or immediately next to each other’s stations. Persons age 11 through 17 may use a computer or the Library’s Internet with a Parental Consent Form on file at the Library.
· Only one person may be at a computer station at a time, unless prior arrangements are approved by Library staff or unless otherwise specified in the Library’s Computer and Internet Use Policy.
· The Library prohibits the loading of personal software on all Library computers.
· The Library provides printing services for a per-page fee. Patrons are responsible for previewing printed items and are responsible for paying for all printouts. Earphones or earbuds are required for listening to audio on the computers; patrons may use their personal equipment for this purpose or purchase earbuds at the circulation desk.
· When a computer session ends, each computer restarts and wipes clean any files saved to the computer by its previous user. Flash drives may be purchased at the circulation desk to save files before a session closes.
· The Library’s staff may provide assistance to patrons in the use of electronic information networks and other software programs installed on the Library’s computers as time and staff knowledge permits. The Library offers computer classes to assist patrons wishing to improve their computer skills.
· Use of any public computer or Internet connection at the Library constitutes acceptance of this policy and related procedures.
ACCEPTABLE USE GUIDELINES
The Library requires that patrons using electronic information networks such as the Internet do so within the guidelines of acceptable use. The following activities are unacceptable:
· Use of electronic information networks for any purpose which results in the harassment of other users
· Destruction of, damage to, or unauthorized alteration of the Library’s computer equipment, software, or network security procedures
· Use of electronic information networks in any way which violates a federal or state law, including unauthorized copying or distribution of copyrighted materials
· Use of electronic information networks in any way that violates licensing and payment agreements between the Library and network/database providers
· Unauthorized duplication of copy-protected software or violation of software license agreements
· Violation of system security or other means of gaining unauthorized access to other computers or systems
· Behaving in a manner that is disruptive to others
LIBRARY PATRONS’ RIGHTS
Library patrons have certain rights with respect to use of electronic information networks such as the Internet. The Library will work to preserve and protect those rights, subject to limitations imposed by licensing and payment agreements with database providers.
· The Library respects the confidentiality of records, electronic or otherwise, that identify individual users and link them to search strategies, sites accessed, or other specific data about the information they retrieved or sought to retrieve. The Library respects its patrons’ privacy; however, it is unable to guarantee privacy in a public forum.
· Library patrons have the right to equitable access to electronic information networks.
· Library patrons have the right to access and read all Library service policies and discuss questions with appropriate Library staff.
TIME RESTRICTIONS
Use of Library computers is limited to 75 minutes per person per day. If there are no reservations, time may be extended in 15-minute increments for a total use time of 120 minutes per day. Some computers may be used for 15-minute intervals only. Additional time may be requested in advance and may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
INTERNET USAGE
The Internet is an unregulated medium connecting people and information sources from around the world. The Library does not and cannot control the information content available through global resources such as information obtained from outside sources via the Internet. Internet resources enhance and supplement resources that are available locally within the Library. Library users must be aware that this Library does not exercise control over information obtained via the Internet and must keep in mind the following points when evaluating information obtained via the Internet:
· Information may or may not be reliable or from a reliable source.
· Information may or may not be accurate.
· Information may or may not be current and up to date.
· The Library is a family-friendly establishment. Patrons are to reflect and respect this role of the Library in the content viewed through the Library’s Internet connection and/or on Library computers. Certain information may be considered controversial/ objectionable by some Library patrons. Some materials on the Internet are considered obscene and/or harmful to minors.
· Links to information on the Internet may not always be valid, and particular information sites on the Internet may sometimes be unavailable and this unavailability often occurs unpredictably.
· The availability of information on the Internet does not constitute endorsement of the content by the Library.
In compliance with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the Library has installed Internet filters on all public use computers. Persons over the age of 18 may ask staff to remove the filters on their computer. Library staff cannot remove filters for persons under 18 not under constant adult supervision and/or without written consent from the person’s parent or guardian. While filters attempt to block objectionable sites, no filtering system is completely effective or efficient. The Library affirms and acknowledges the rights and responsibilities of parents and guardians to monitor and determine their children’s access to Library materials and resources, including those available through the Internet. Parents are encouraged to discuss with their children issues of appropriate use and electronic information network safety. If a site appears to be inaccurately blocked, please inform staff at the desk. The Library reserves the right to ask for proof of age from any persons requesting that a filter be turned off.
The Library offers wireless Internet access for patron use. The Library’s wireless access points are filtered. There may be times when the user may not be able to access a given site on the Internet due to circumstances beyond the control of the Library.
The Library urges patrons to be informed consumers and carefully evaluate information obtained via the Internet. Library staff may be available to assist patrons in making judgments about the reliability or currency of certain types of Internet information sources, but are unable to provide definitive analysis of particular sources due to the extremely large variety and volume of information available via the Internet.
The Library is not responsible for damages or losses, indirect or direct, arising from a patron’s use of Internet information resources.
