Potsdam Public Library
Category: Use of Equipment
Policy Subject: Internet & Computer Use
Effective Date: August 1, 2003

The Potsdam Public Library is pleased to provide Internet access to its patrons. The Internet is a powerful tool that can assist in research and be an aid to learning. It's very important, however, to be aware that the Internet is unrestricted and uncensored. Material on the Internet may be offensive to some individuals. As is the case with other media - film, print, television, and music - it is the responsibility of parents to monitor and restrict access to material as they see fit.

RULES FOR COMPUTER USE
Please read the following regulations and sign the agreement below:

You must possess a validated Potsdam Public Library card with no stops (materials outstanding for 30 days)
Valid cards from other automated NCLS libraries will be honored. The patron, however, must have a Potsdam Public Library registration card on file. The use of another's card is prohibited.
Access to the computer is by both reservation and "walk-on."
Sign in at the circulation desk each time you use the computer.
No personal compact discs or programs requiring installation to the hard drive may be used on the library's computers. Ear phones must be worn when using multimedia programs.
Use of your own hardware is not allowed. Do not attach anything physically or electronically to library equipment.
Children under the age of seven are not allowed to use the computer without the supervision of an adult (over 16 years of age), who is validated to use the library computer.
Two validated users may use the computer together upon the approval of the staff member at the circulation desk
Observe all copyright regulations.
The computer system may not be utilized for commercial purposes: i.e. the purchase or selling of materials or services.
The visual, verbal or written use of the computer to receive or transmit harassing material is prohibited. Any misuse of this rule will result in suspension of the offending user's computer privileges.
Parent/guardian permission in writing is required for children under 16 years of age.
Do not eat or smoke in the library at ANY time.
Please respect the privacy of other patrons using the Internet.
Patrons are no to display text or graphics that may be defined by State and/or Federal laws as illegal pornography, obscenity or child pornography.

Disclaimer
The Library does not guarantee the computer system to be error free or without defect. The Library is not responsible for: (1) the actions of its' patrons; (2) the accuracy or quality of information accessed through the computer; (3) any damage or loss of data, or interruption of service patrons may suffer while using the computer.

COMPUTER ACCESS PROCEDURES

Reserved Computer Access

Computer time may be reserved ( by half-hour period beginning on the hour or half-hour).
Reservations may be made in person or by telephone.
Reservations may be made up to one week in advance.
Additional reserve time may be granted at the discretion of the librarian based on computer availability.
Your reservation for computer time will be held for ten minutes after your period begins. If you do not meet your reservation, your time may be assigned to another person on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you fail to show for your reservation more than three times in a calendar year you may lose your reservation privileges.

"Walk-On" (non-reservation) Computer Access:

You may have up to one hour of walk-on time per day.
Walk-on access is on a first come, first-served basis.
This time will not count against the limit of one hour per day of reserved time.
You may sign up for walk-on time fifteen minutes before the start of an unscheduled block of time.
If the patron fails to show for reserved time, this time is available for "walk-on" time after a ten-minute waiting period. Although this time will not begin until ten minutes into the reserved period, it will still count as one full period of use.

Patron Responsibilities

You are responsible for any consequential damages arising from your or a guest's use of the computer or the library's software.
If you are unsure of something, please feel free to ask a staff person for assistance. If something is broken, please do not attempt to fix it yourself. Report the problem to the librarian on duty.

Failure to abide by the above rules and the rules established by the
Library Board of Trustees may result in forfeiture of your privilege to use
the computer equipment and the Library

Patron Information

Name	~	Library where bar-coded	~
Address	~	Age( if over 16, write "adult" )	~
City/State	~	Today's Date	~
Zip Code	~	Telephone	~

I have read and agree to follow the library's rules for computer use.

Signature:

Parent/Guardian (if required):

Potsdam Public Library Category: Use of Equipment Policy Subject: Internet & Computer Use Effective Date: August 1, 2003

Potsdam Public Library
Category: Use of Equipment
Policy Subject: Internet & Computer Use
Effective Date: August 1, 2003