Computer and Internet Policy

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.

 Users will be informed that the information accessed via the Internet may be controversial, inaccurate, incomplete, inappropriate, biased, offensive, or dated, and that 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. GUIDELINES FOR USE:

 To insure equality of access to all patrons, patron access computer stations are available for use 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.  Time limit is set for 45 minutes use, but may be changed at the discretion of the Library Staff.  These times may be altered according to the availability of library personnel to staff the computer lab.  In other words, the computer lab may be closed when the IT staff person is away from the library, or is otherwise unavailable. Unless accompanied by a legal guardian, persons 15 years and younger are allowed access on workstations possessing filtering software only. 

 The computers are used for educational, information and recreational purposes only.  It is not acceptable to vandalize the data or equipment.  It is not acceptable to use the internet to gain unauthorized access to other data banks; invade the privacy of others or violate Federal, State, or local laws or regulations. It is not acceptable to use Library computers to view/print or download sexually explicit material from the Internet.  Displaying of sexually suggestive objects or pictures could be in violation of State or Federal obscenity laws.

 Responsibility for any possible copyright infringement lies solely with the user: the Library disclaims any responsibility or liability resulting thereof.

4. LIABILITY:

 Patrons' use of the 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 online or hard copy.

 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.

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 will also to be provided, as time allows, Monday - Friday.  More in-depth assistance/training will be available by appointment.  Computer users should have a minimal level of computer experience and be able to use a mouse.

6.  PRINTING AND DOWNLOADING:

 If patrons wish to download files from the Internet, it is at their own risk (see Liabilities).  Patrons must bring their own disk(s).  Disks should be formatted and be IBM compatible.

 Printing must be completed within time limits and 15 minutes before Library closes.

 The Library charges ten cents ($0.10) for each page printed.  In the event a patron wishes to use special paper on which to print files, he/she must secure permission from a librarian and pay the per page charge as stated.

Approved by the Library Advisory Board –July, 2007

Approved by the Santa Fe City Council –July, 2007