Computer and Internet Guidelines

The mission of the Robert L. Williams Public Library will be to provide an atmosphere conducive to lifone learning, emphasizing entertainment reading on the juvenile and adult levels and providing access of information and resources for personal growth and development, cultural heritage, and business and consumer education.

Fees and Use
1.  The library will charge ten cents ($.10) per page to print material from the Internet. 

2.  The library has ten (10) computers for Internet Use; adults and children use the same  machines.
Nanny-Net has been installed and Gates Screening is in effect;  however, the library is crowded and adults and children many times use computers in close proximity.  If an adult pulls up offensive material while sitting near a child, he will be asked to leave the computer.  If a child pulls up offensive materials, his user card will be revoked.

3.  Patrons using the Internet must sign-in for Internet service at the Circulation Desk.  If any patron misrepresents himself or signs himself in with another name, his Internet privileges will be revoked.

4.  Patrons may make only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software.

5.  Any costs charged by the Internet will be the responsibility of the person who requested the material.

6.  Internet access will be for one sitting per day.  The limit will be one hour per day, but if the patron gets up from the computer to which he is assigned, his time will be considered over, even if he has been working less than one hour.

7.The library's Internet service is part of a network thoughtout the community.  Internet access may not always be available because of the demand upon the service.

8.  Misuse or abuses of the computers or Internet access will result in suspension of Internet access privileges.

9.  The library should not be used by patrons as their email address.

10.  If parents suspend their children's Internet privileges, the library should be notified of such.

The library does not control the information,l literature, and sites accessed through the Internet.  The Robert L. Williams Public Library is not responsible for the accuracy or content of materials retrieved from the Internet.  The library connot protect patrons from information they may find offensive.

Parents and/or legal guardians who are concerned about their children should provide guidance to these children.

 The library is not responsibile for personal or equipment damages incurred while accessing the Internet.

The library provides to all patrons equal access to literature and information, regardless of format.  The responsibility to provide access requires First Amendment rights not be abrogated.  Access to the Internet is compatible with the Library's endorsement of the Library Bill of Rights,  the Freedom to Read, and the Freedom to View Statements from the American Library Association; we also endorse the Policy of Onenet. 

All users of the Internet are expected to do so in a responsible manner consistent with the information and educational purposes from which they are provided.

Responsible, Ethical use of the Internet Includes the Following:

The resources are to be used for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only.  They are not to be used for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes.

Users will not attempt to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to otheres; users will not seek unauthorized access to any computer system; users wil not damage or alter software components of any network or database.

Users will not send, receive, or display text or graphics that may reasonably be construed as obscene.

Children under the age of eighteen (18) should have parental or guardian permission to use the Internet.  The Robert L. Williams Public Library assumes no responsibility for the use of the Internet by children.  It is not possible for the library staff to control specific information a person under the age of 18 may locate on the Internet.  As libraries do not vouch for or endorse the viewpoints of written material in their collections, so they cannot vouch for or endorse electronic information.  It is the responsibility of the adult user or parent or guardian of a child under 18 to determine what is appropriate.

Persons using any computer equipment agree not to make any changes to the setup or configuration of the software or hardware.

Library users have the right of confidentiality and the right to privacy.  Users should be advised, however, because security is technically difficult to achieve, electronic tranactions and files could become public.

The Robert L. Williams Public Library assumes no responsibility for any damage, direct or indirect, that users, or any others, may suffer through the library's access to the Internet.

Library staff cannot provide in-depth training concerning Internet use, including computer jargon or personal computer skills.  We may, however, be able to offer search suggestions or answer questions.  Because of library scheduling, staff trained in the Internet may not always be available.

The Board of Trustees for the Robert L. Williams Public Library reserves the right to update the rules from time to time.  When changes are made, a notice will be posted near the Internet computers to make patrons aware there has been an update to the rules.