Click here for the Children’s Room Policy.
Adult
Room Computer Lab
Your signature on our sign-in sheets is your agreement
to observe the conditions
set forth in this Internet and Computer Access Policy.
To comply with its mission of providing access to information that responds to the pursuit of knowledge, education, lifelong learning opportunities and cultural enrichment, in a variety of formats, the James Prendergast Library makes available Internet and computer workstations for use by its patrons.
The Internet is a worldwide computer network that provides easy access to a massive body of information. The information and resources available on the Internet expand the Library's services beyond the traditional collections and other electronic resources found within its four walls. The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national, and international sources of information. However, not all Internet sources provide accurate, complete, or current information and some may be offensive. Currently, the Internet is an unregulated medium. As such, while it offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, it also enables access to some material that may be offensive, disturbing and/or illegal. It is not possible for the Library to use the same selection criteria for material found on the Internet that is used for other materials found within its collection.
The Library's policy is informed by the unanimous decision of The United States Supreme Court in Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union, No. 96-511, finding that two provisions of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 violate the First Amendment of the Constitution. Justice John Paul Stevens, in his majority opinion, wrote, "...We have repeatedly recognized the governmental interest in protecting children from harmful materials. But that interest does not justify an unnecessarily broad suppression of speech addressed to adults. . .The Government may not reduce the adult population . . .to . . . only what is fit for children, the level of discourse reaching a mailbox cannot be limited to that which would be suitable for a sandbox. . .The interest in encouraging freedom of expression in a democratic society outweighs any theoretical but unproven benefit of censorship."
The Library cannot monitor nor can it control the information accessed via the Internet and is not responsible for its content. The individual user is responsible for the access points they reach. Users need to be good information consumers, questioning the validity and accuracy of the information found on the Internet. Often, needed information is available in other resources at the Library that may be more reliable. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population, and Library patrons use it at their own risk.
The Internet
workstation located in the Children's Room does have filtering software
installed that denies the user access to certain sites. The Library cannot
guarantee that the filtering software will work 100% of the time nor that it
will deny access to sites individual parents may find objectionable.
Parents of minor children are responsible for monitoring the use of the
Library's Internet workstations by their children, just as they are for
monitoring their children's use of all other Library resources. The
Library cannot act in loco parentis. All children under the age of
18 must have written parental permission to use the Library's Internet
workstations.
The Library maintains a list of some sites it deems of particular use by patrons on its Home Page. Library staff is available to provide assistance and to help identify appropriate sites.
The James Prendergast Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, or loss of privacy, arising from use of its Internet workstations.
All electronic traffic originating from the James Prendergast Library Internet and computer workstations shall be in accordance with these Acceptable Use Policies. Failure to abide by the policies will result in the loss of computer and/or Library privileges.
Use of the Library's Internet and computer workstations shall be guided by the following principles:
1. Respect for the privacy of others.
2. Attention to the legal protection provided by copyright and license to programs and data.
3. Consideration for the security and functioning of computer networks and systems, for example, users shall not develop programs that harass other users or cause harm to other computer systems.
1. The Library's computer workstations may not be used for any purposes that violate U.S. or state laws; to transmit threatening, obscene or harassing materials; or to interfere with or disrupt network users, services, or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to: distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer worms and viruses, and using the workstations to make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible via the network. Illegal acts involving the Library's Internet workstations may be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.
2. Users may not represent themselves as another person.
3. It is assumed that information and resources accessible via the Internet are private to the individuals and organizations that own or hold rights to those resources and information, unless specifically stated otherwise by the owners or holders of those rights. It is therefore not acceptable for an individual to use the Library's computer workstations to access information or resources unless permission to do so has been granted by the owner or holder of rights to those resources or information.
4. Malicious use is not acceptable. Use of the Prendergast Library’s computer workstations and any attached network in a manner that precludes or significantly hampers its use by others is not allowed.
5. Use of the workstations for recreational games is not acceptable.
6. Unsolicited advertising is not acceptable.
7. Use of the Library’s computers to display or disseminate obscene or pornographic material is prohibited.
The James Prendergast Library reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.
1A. [Internet] In order to use the Internet workstations, users 18 years or older must present a current Prendergast Library card, driver's license or some form of identification that includes their name and current address to the Computer Monitor. The Internet and computer workstations are available on a first come, first served basis. Users may use the Internet for one hour a day. No extra time will be given beyond this. There are no exceptions. Users are expected to vacate their seats when their time is up with no arguments.
1B. [Software Applications] There is no age restriction for the software applications, including the children’s software. Users must present their library card or identification to the Computer Monitor in order to sign up for a computer. Users may use the Software Applications for one hour a day. If no one is waiting, users may extend their time by one-half hour. No extra time will be given beyond this. There are no exceptions. Users are expected to vacate their seats when their time is up with no arguments.
2. All children under the age of 18 must have written parental permission to use the Library's Internet workstations. Persons 14 - 17 years of age may use the Internet workstations located in the Computer Lab. The User’s date of birth must be included in his or her library card registration record and s(he) must present his or her current Prendergast Library card to the Computer Monitor when signing up to use an Internet workstation. Children younger than 14 may use the Internet workstations located in the Computer Lab if accompanied by a parent/guardian and may use the Internet workstation located in the Children's Room with a parent's permission. Parents of children aged 14 to 17 may determine that their child(ren) can only use the workstation in the Children's Room which is installed with the Websense filtering software, with the understanding that the Library cannot guarantee that the filtering software will work 100% of the time nor that it will deny access to sites individual parents may find objectionable.
3. Users waiting to use the Internet and computer workstations must wait outside of the Computer Lab. Users will be notified that their time slot is open when the Computer Monitor writes down their password on the board outside the Computer Lab.
4. Only two people may be at a computer workstation at a time.
5. If the User’s behavior is deemed unruly by the Computer Monitor, the User will have to leave the Computer Lab.
6. Users must stay on the workstation they were assigned. Computer assignments are done by a software program. We do not accept requests for specific computers. If a patron needs a specific software application or needs access to a disk drive, they should tell the lab attendant and those arrangements can be made. Switching or using more than one computer at a time will result in the loss of computer privileges.
7. Users may not install software on any of the computers and may not run any programs not already installed. Users are not allowed to alter or attach equipment to the Library's hardware. There will be no exceptions to these rules.
8. Downloading is only allowed on the 3 ½ floppy drive on the Gates computers.
9. Use the computers in a manner that does not damage the equipment. Do not change the configuration of any of the software on these computers. If you experience problems or if the computer is not working, you must report the problem to the Computer Monitor. Do not try to fix anything.
10. All print jobs will cost 15 cents per sheet. This includes print jobs with the User’s own paper. The charge for printing is due to the very expensive toner. Users must pay for all copies printed from their assigned computer. Print jobs must be picked up and paid for at the Computer Monitor’s Desk. The Monitor will not hold copies. All copies that are left will be discarded at 9 P.M. of the current day.
11. Users must finish using the computer workstations 15 minutes before closing. There are no exceptions.
12. Staff in the Computer Lab will instruct the User on how to use an application to the best of their ability. Library Staff will not do the work for the User or conduct the Internet search. If the Staff member is not familiar with the application, the User may make an appointment with a Library Trainer.
13. Library Staff will not assist Users in
finding chat rooms or in using chat rooms. The Library encourages patrons
to use the computers for research purposes.
14. The main job of the Computer Monitor is to sign patrons in and to monitor print jobs. The Computer Lab Staff will have to halt any instruction so that they can sign in a patron or take money for a print job.
15. By signing up to use the Internet and computer workstations, at the James Prendergast Library, the User is agreeing to abide by the Internet and Computer Access Policy and the Internet and Computer Acceptable Use Policy. Misuse of the computers or failure to abide by these policies and procedures will result in the loss of the User’s Computer privileges and/or Library privileges.
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