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MAE
S. BRUCE LIBRARY
COMPUTER
AND INTERNET POLICY
Mission
Statement: The mission of
the Mae S. Bruce Library is to provide the means by which people of all
ages, interests, and circumstances may avail themselves of the recorded
wisdom, experiences, and ideas of others and to provide opportunities
for personal, educational, cultural, and recreational enrichment. The
Library endeavors to develop collections, resources and services to meet
these needs. It is within this context that the Mae S. Bruce Public
Library offers access to the Internet.
The Library Board and the Library Staff view the Internet as a
powerful and evolving tool to link our patrons with the information
sources not available in printed form.
Through the use of the Internet, library patrons will be able to
participate in the world-wide electronic community.
1.
SCOPE OF INTERNET ACCESS:
From public computers, the library patron may access online library
catalogs, full text and bibliographic databases, electronic documents,
and other information resources. The
Library also provides access to Texas State Library TexShare databases.
The Mae S. Bruce Library is not able to offer e-mail accounts to
the public. Patrons are
allowed to do free e-mail, chat and games in their allotted time.
2.
INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM:
The
Library recognizes the inherent right of individuals to determine what
is most appropriate for their needs.
To this end, the Library recognizes the standards set by the
American Library Association.
The
Library presently uses filtering software to block access to some
Internet sites. Persons aged
16 years and older may have full access to the World Wide Web upon
request.
Filtering
software will block many specific sites that may be offensive to some
users, but may not block all materials that may be offensive to all
users. Parents should inform their children of materials they do not
want them to use, and may wish to supervise their children's Internet
sessions.
Information accessed via the Internet may be controversial,
inaccurate, incomplete, inappropriate, biased, offensive, or dated. The
standards of the Mae S. Bruce Library Collection Development policy do
not apply to the vast information frontier provided by the Internet.
The availability of the information does not constitute
endorsement of the content.
3.
Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources:
To
make the Internet available to as many people as possible and to ensure
that it is used in a manner consistent with Library policies, the
Library has adopted rules regarding Acceptable Use of Electronic
Resources. All users are asked to respect the privacy of other users and
not attempt to censor or comment upon what others are viewing. The
Library's rules of conduct and pertinent state, federal and local laws
apply to all Library users.
Library computers, database and wireless (wi-fi) access are
provided to meet the informational, educational, cultural and
recreational needs and interests of all patrons. In
order to make these resources available to as many patrons as possible
and to make sure that the equipment is used in a manner consistent with
the Library's management and public service policies, the following
rules apply:
Library computers and wi-fi may not be used for any illegal activity
including, but not limited to:
*Damaging or altering computer equipment, systems or software;
*Displaying, printing or sending any material that is obscene,
sexually explicit,
libelous, threatening or harassing;
*Downloading or installing any harmful program defined as, but
not limited to,
spyware, viruses, Trojans, malware, or any other illegal
utility on any computer;
*Violating copyright or trademark laws, software licensing
agreements or
intellectual property rights.
Computers
are located in public areas of the library. What is displayed on the
monitor is not confidential.
To ensure that all patrons have an equal opportunity to use the
equipment, patrons will be asked to comply with time limitations. With
adequate staffing, patron access to computer stations in the Computer
Lab is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
10:00 am to 5:45 pm
, Thursday
12:00
noon
to
7:45 pm
and Saturday
10:00 am to 1:15 pm
. An average time
limit will be set, however, this time may be changed at the discretion
of the Library Staff.
Unless accompanied by a legal guardian, persons 15 years and
younger are allowed access on workstations possessing filtering software
only.
In the event that the Computer Lab is closed, access to the World
Wide Web in the Library proper will be made available to patrons sixteen
(16) years and older. Patrons fifteen (15) years and younger will be
allowed Internet access with a parent or legal guardian in attendance.
Again, average time limits will be set but may be changed at the
discretion of the Library Staff.
4.
LIABILITY:
Patron use of Internet resources carries with it a responsibility
to evaluate the quality of the information accessed.
Parents are strongly advised to monitor their children's use of
the computers, programs, and internet browsing, even with the use of
filtering software. As with the Library's other materials and services,
parents or legal guardians are responsible for the information selected
or accessed by children. The
Staff assumes no responsibility as a censurer of a child's reading
materials, whether digital or print.
All users of computers agree to hold The Mae S. Bruce Library
harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations or
liabilities, directly or indirectly relating to the use if the
computers, programs, or internet caused thereby or arising from.
In no event shall the Mae S. Bruce Library have any liability for
lost profits or for indirect, special, punitive, or consequential
damages or any liability to any third party.
Responsibility for any possible copyright infringement lies solely
with the user; the Library disclaims any responsibility or liability
resulting thereof.
5.
LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE:
The staff of the Mae S. Bruce Library will be available to
introduce the Internet and to provide initial instruction of its use.
Reference assistance may
also be provided, as time and staffing allows.
Computer users should have a minimal level of computer experience
and be able to use a mouse.
Wireless access uses the WiFi standard. Most users can simply bring
their wireless-enabled laptop computer or other wireless device to the
Library and turn it on. The computer will automatically find all
available wireless networks. If the laptop does not have wireless
built-in, the user can install a wifi-compatible network card. The
Library cannot guarantee that the equipment will work with the
Library's network. The Library cannot be held responsible for any
changes in computer settings that the user makes. For additional
assistance, the user may need to contact the hardware or software
manufacturer.
Note: Information is not protected while using wireless, unless
connected to a web page that employs encryption (stores, banks, etc.).
Users may want to keep this in mind when accessing sensitive business or
personal information via the Library's network.
6.
PRINTING AND DOWNLOADING:
If patrons wish to download files from the Internet, it is at
their own risk (see 4:Liability).
Access to downloaded files is only temporary. Files may not be
saved to the library's public computers, therefore, patrons must bring
their own data storage device(s) (i.e. any of the USB portable drives,
access to cloud storage, floppy disks, etc.).
Printing is not available via wireless access.
Printing must be completed within time limits and 15 minutes
before Library closes.
In the event a patron wishes to use special paper on which to
print files, he/she must secure permission from a staff member and pay
the per page charge.
Users are responsible for payment for all printed pages.
7.
NON-COMPLIANCE
Refusal
to comply with the guidelines set forth in this policy may result in,
without prior warning, permanent suspension of computer and / or
borrowing privileges with the library, being asked to leave the library,
and/or the summoning of law enforcement authorities.
The Mae S. Bruce Library affirms its commitment to help patrons
use the Internet effectively. The Library will continue to monitor
changes and trends in Internet technology that could improve the ability
to provide electronic access for library users, and will revise this
policy as necessary.
Reviewed
and Approved by the Library Advisory Board -
July 7, 2010
Approved
by
Santa Fe
City Council -
August 12, 2010
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