Internet
User Policy and Guide
The Belfast Free Library provides free Internet access to
all members of the public for informational purposes. The
Library endorses the American Library Association (ALA)
Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement. This freedom
of access to digital information is subject, however, to
pertinent federal, state, and local laws. Unacceptable use
of the Belfast Free Library computers includes the accessing,
sending, and posting of materials or communications that
are abusive, obscene, sexually explicit, threatening,
harassing and/or illegal. The Library will cooperate
fully with authorities if there is probable cause to believe
that Library equipment has been used to violate laws regulating
public obscenity and pornography, software copyright, harassment
of any person or group, or engagement in any fraudulent
business activity. A copy of the relevant Maine statues
is available at the Circulation Desk. New users will be
given a summary of the law and its implications for Internet
use in a public place.
Use
of the Library's Internet service is a privilege, not an
unqualified right, and may be revoked at any time if this
Policy and Guide statement is not adhered to.
Overview of Services
Networked computers with high-speed access to the Internet
are located on all three floors of the Library. Printouts
from the computer are available at $.10 per page, except
that the first ten pages for a school assignment are free.
Pages will print out at the Main Circulation Desk, where
fees may be paid. The word processing program WordPad is
available on all Internet terminals and the same rules for
printouts apply to patrons using this program. The Library
provides a handicapped accessible Internet terminal.
This terminal is also available to the general public. However,
if a handicapped individual wishes to use this terminal,
it will be made available to him or her. The staff will
make every effort to make another Internet terminal available.
User
Guidelines
Procedures
The
Library maintains an ample number of Internet-connected
personal computers throughout the building and expects to
be able to accommodate patrons with maximum convenience
and minimal delay. To achieve this goal it is necessary
that all patrons observe the following reasonable procedures:
· All patrons except children using computers on the Children's
Floor must sign up at the Main Circulation Desk before using
a computer to access the Internet. They may be asked for
documentation to verify their age. For patrons under the
age of 16, see the statement below on "Children and Internet
Use."
·
Patrons found using the Internet without signing in will
be asked to leave their computer and sign in appropriately.
They will be assigned a computer when available.
· Patrons may sign up for a maximum of one appointment per
day with a time limit of one hour. The Library staff may
grand additional time, which will expire when another patron
requests that computer.
·
If more time is needed for a specific purpose such as research,
that fact should be made known at the Main Circulation Desk.
The request will be considered, and extra time may be allotted
if available.
· Individual appointments may be made in person or by phone,
no more than 24 hours in advance. Patrons unable to keep
their appointment should call and inform the Library.
· Users who are more than 10 minutes late by the library
clock will forfeit their appointment.
· The Library is only obligated to provide access to computer
equipment and internet information, but when time permits
the staff may offer simple assistance in, for example, starting
a search or setting up an e-mail account. In general patrons
are responsible for acquiring the skills necessary to use
computers and the Internet.
Prohibitions
The
presence of this rather recent technology in a library setting
and the need to maintain such complex hardware and software
in good working order necessitate the certain rules of citizenship
and technical policy.
·
There must be no disruptive behavior at the computers, including
verbal abuse of staff or fellow Internet users while in
the Library. Patrons (one to a computer) are expected to
conduct themselves as they would in the rest of the Library.
· If patrons refuse to leave an Internet station when their
allotted time is up or when another patron is waiting to
begin an appointment, privileges will be revoked immediately.
· No personal disks are allowed in a Library computer. Formatted
disks may be purchased for $1.00 at the Main Circulation
Desk to download information. Patrons may leave their purchased
disks at the Main Desk for later use. As a precaution against
viruses, disks that have been taken out of the Library may
not be used again in a Library computer.
· There will be no access into or tampering with the configuration
or settings of Library software, hardware, or networking.
· No programs from the Internet may be downloaded onto any
Library computer. Children and Young Adult Internet Use
The Internet is not controlled by any central authority.
Parents must assume responsibility for their children's
use of, or exposure to, the internet through the Library's
connection. Use of computers on the Children's Floor and
in the Young Adult Area will be regulated according to the
following provisions, in addition to the User Guidelines
above.
· All first-time users under the age of 16 must have a parent/guardian
come to the Library and sign, along with their child or
young adult, an Internet Usage Agreement.
· Children using computers on the Children's Floor will
sign in at the Children's Circulation Desk. Those under
the age of 9 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian whenever
they are using the computers on the Children's Floor. The
Library's workstations on the Children's Floor feature child-appropriate
web-sites and child-friendly search engines. Limited access
to the Internet is available on these workstations.
· The parents/guardians of young persons aged 12-15 must
sign, in addition to the Internet Usage Agreement, a form
for their youth to receive a YA (Young Adult) Internet Usage
Pass. This pass allows access to the YA computers. Without
the pass access will be denied, unless the pass-holder is
accompanied by a parent/guardian. Replacement passes may
be purchased for $1.00 and will require a parent/guardian's
re-registration.
· The YA (Young Adult) computers have some sites blocked,
but these machines still have extensive Internet research
capabilities.
· The terminals in the Young Adult Area of the Library are
primarily available for use by young adults during Library
hours. Staff at the Main Desk can advise as to their availability
for use by other patrons.
· All users under the age of 16 who need to use an open
Internet workstation must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
The parent/guardian must remain with them during their appointment.
By action of the Board of Trustees of the Belfast Free Library:
Victoria
Sears, President of the Board
November
27, 2000
__________________________________________________________________________________
This
is a copy only. You must sign the form in person in the
Library.
I
have read, and I agree to honor, these policies governing
computer and internet usage at the Belfast Free Library.
Please PRINT your name: ____________________________________________________
Phone #: ____________________ Date: ____________________________________
Signature:______________________________________ Staff Initials:
__________
