David A. Howe Public Library - Computer Policies

LIBRARY POLICIES

PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS AND INTERNET SAFETY POLICIES

The David A. Howe Public Library has personal computers, including Internet access, for patron research and educational purposes. Patrons agree to use the computers and the Internet in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner. Users are responsible for verifying the validity and quality of information found, and are advised that all transmissions (including e-mail) are not secure or private. Use outside these guidelines may result in loss of privileges.

	Adult card holders in good standing may use computers and the Internet in the Adult Section.
	Patrons must sign in and out at the desk, leaving their cards during computer use. Users are limited to 2 hours of computer use per day. Staff reserves the right to limit users’ time during periods of high demand. Users may reserve a 1-hour time slot per day in person or by phone up to 1 week in advance. Computers will be held for 5 minutes only into scheduled reservations.
	Staff will help users to sign in at the main desk, will log users into the computer, and will assist users in getting started and using tutorials. Manuals and tutorial software may be signed out at the main desk.
	Users may bring in compatible floppy disks or purchase them at the desk. Patrons may not install, delete, or modify library hardware or software. Users are asked to leave all settings as they found them, close all windows and return to the desktop after use.
	Patrons must pay by the page for all documents that they print. Users are advised to ask for assistance if they are new to printing or if they experience print delays.
	Adult users in the Adult Section are liable for any damage that they or their children may cause.
	In the Adult Section, no more than 2 adult card holders may use one computer at one time. Users are asked to be considerate of others with regard to conversational and software program noise levels.
	Juvenile card holders are restricted to use in the Children’s Section when a staff member is present after they and their parents have signed the Children’s Computer Guidelines form. Parents/legal guardians are responsible for any damage they or their children cause. Children may accompany adult computer users in the adult section.

The library makes information about Internet safety and child-appropriate sites readily available to all users in Web Guides and provides links to children’s websites in the Children’s Section.