In keeping with Mission to provide free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joy of reading to a diverse community, the Franklin County Public Library provides access to the internet.
All users of library electronic information resources are expected to use computers in a responsible manner consistent with library's educational and informational purposes; to understand that use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of this privilege.
Internet use is for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These computer terminals are not to be used for illegal, unauthorized, inappropriate or unethical purposes.
Required is respect for rights and privacy of others by not interfering with their use; by not misrepresenting oneself as another; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer or damaging/altering software components of any network or database, by not accessing materials deemed inappropriate by library staff.
Making unauthorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data is not acceptable. Inappropriate use may include, but not be limited to, the following; violation of computer system integrity; unauthorized tampering with computer hardware or software; storage of data on anything other than diskette purchased for the library.
NO person under 18 may use Internet without signed parental permission.
There will be NO access to chat or user discussion groups.
There will be NO changes made to setup or configuration of software or hardware.
NO email accounts will be provided.
There will be NO acceptance of any attachments through website interfaces.
There will be NO use of personal diskettes or personal CDROMS.
Users must sign in at front desk utilizing a library card or other assigned number. All users will receive the Internet Policy. Signing to use library computers will indicate agreement to abide by policies.
Parents must sign Agreement to Policies for children under 18 years of age. Signature is legally binding and indicates the party has read and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Franklin County Public Library's Internet Use Policy and understands its significance.
Use of computers is limited to one-half hour per session. Users must sign out at the end of this period. Library staff may make exceptions to time limits according to demand. Library Catalog terminals may be exempted from limits.
Sending or receiving email is available only through website interfaces such as Yahoo or Hotmail and may be accessible only on designated computers.
Printing is limited to 10 pages per day. There is a .10 per page charge for black and white printing and a .25 per page charge for color.
Patrons need to ask staff if they wish to save files. Diskettes are available for a minimal charge.
More than one individual may use the same computer as long as this does not disrupt others in the library.
NOTES:
Just as libraries do not espouse the viewpoints of written material in their collections, they do not do so for electronic information. It is not possible for staff to control specific information children or young adults may locate on the Internet. The Franklin County Public Library assumes no responsibility for use of the Internet by children; does not monitor and has no control over information accessed through the Internet, and cannot be held responsible for its content. Parents are expected to monitor and supervise their children's use of the Internet and other library materials.
Library staff will assist patrons as time permits, but may not be familiar with every application and cannot provide complete technical support.
Franklin County Public Library is not responsible for damage to a patron's disk or computer, for ant loss of data, or damage or liability that may occur from a patron's use of the library's computers.
The Franklin County Public Library reserves the right to revise these policies as deemed appropriate without prior notice.