PERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
319 S. MAIN STREET ROXBORO, NC 27573
COMPUTER USE POLICY
PURPOSE
The Person County Public Library offers access to computer workstations equipped with Internet and office applications to provide users with informational, educational, recreational and cultural resources. The purpose of the Computer Use Policy is to establish regulations regarding Internet access at Person County Public Library.
USE OF PUBLIC COMPUTERS
Use of the Internet is governed by the Library’s Conduct and Courtesy Policy. The user
may not use the Internet for any illegal activity or place material on the Internet related to any illegal activity.
Users may not invade the privacy of others or engage in any activity that is harassing, defamatory, or threatening or receive or display graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene as defined by law.
It is the responsibility of the user to respect copyright laws and licensing agreements and assume responsibility for payment of fees for any fee based service.
COMPUTER USE BY MINORS
1. PARENTS/GUARDIANS- As with other library materials, supervision of a child’s use of the Internet is the responsibility of the parents or legal guardian. The Library assumes no responsibility for the use of the Internet by children. The Library upholds that is both the right and responsibility of parents or legal guardians to:
• Decide which library resources are appropriate for their own children.
• Set guidelines for and supervise their child’s use of the internet.
2. CIPA- Person County Public Library complies with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.(CIPA). All public workstations with Internet access are equipped with filtering technology designed to prevent access to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors, as defined by North Carolina General Statues 14-190.1 – 14.190.15.
TERMS OF COMPUTER USE
By using a Public Internet workstation at the library, you agree to the following terms:
1. USER ACCESS - Library customers must log in to each computer session using their own library card. Users under the age of 12 must comply with the Safe Child Policy, having an adult present during their visit to the library. Users must resolve fees over $5.00 on their library account for computer access. Guest passes are available for users unable to apply for a Person County Library card. Photo ID must be presented in order to obtain a computer guest pass. A limit of 3 guest passes will be distributed per individual.
2. SESSION LENGTH- In order to provide fair and equal access to computers, the library limits computer session lengths. Users are allowed two-hours daily. Users may login for their initial one hour session. At the end of the session, the computer will shut down. Individuals will then be given the opportunity to login for a subsequent hour session if no other users are waiting. All public computer sessions will end 15 minutes before closing.
3. SAVING WORK- Library customers are responsible for saving work to a personal storage device. The Library is not responsible for the loss of saved or unsaved work, including loss due to technical malfunctions. The library is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal storage devices, including damage caused by technical malfunctions or corruption caused by virus or spyware infection while using library computers.
4. DOWNLOADING FILES - Downloading files to personal storage media is permitted. Downloading files and programs to the public computer’s hard drive is not permitted.
5. CONTENT- It is the user’s responsibility to determine the suitability and appropriateness of the content accessed through the Internet. The library assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, quality, or currency of Internet resources accessed while using the public computers.
6. PRINTING - Black and white printing is available at the cost of $.10 per page. Patrons must send materials to the printer before the library closes or before their session ends.
7. STAFF ASSISTANCE - Library staff may answer basic computer and Internet questions as time permits. Staff cannot provide on the spot, in depth individual training in computer or Internet use.
8. SECURITY – The Internet is not a secure medium. The library cannot guarantee that patrons who use the Internet will have privacy in their communications and other Internet uses. The library assumes no responsibility for damages arising from the invasion of the user’s privacy or data upon using a public computer. The library uses a filter system to remove the customer’s Internet browsing history and form data after each computer session has ended.
9. INAPPROPRIATE USE- Public computer use is governed the library’s Conduct and Courtesy Policy and is subject to Chapter 14, Article 60 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to:
• Displaying materials that violate federal, state or local laws; propagating malicious software; violating copyright laws and software licensing agreements; damaging computer equipment or software; and attempting to access unauthorized files or systems.
• Attempting to access computer resources with another patron’s library account.
• Using the Library’s workstations as a staging ground to gain unauthorized access to the library’s networks or computer systems or to any other network or computer system.
• Obstructing the work of others by consuming gratuitously large amounts of system resources or by deliberately crashing any library computer system.
• Attempting to damage computer equipment or software, alter software
configurations in a malicious manner, or cause degradation of system performance.
• Use any library workstation for illegal or criminal purpose.
• Attempting to by-pass security software, print management software or time
management software.
• Failing to comply with established time limits.
Illegal acts involving library resources may be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal officials.
10. SESSION TERMINATION- The library reserves the right to terminate a
computer session at any time.
TERMS OF WIRELESS USE
The Library provides access to the Internet via a wireless network (WiFi) for customers to use with their own personal laptops and other mobile devices. For the safety of all library visitors, the library provides a designated area for laptop users equipped with outlets for use. By using the public wireless connection at the library, you agree to the following terms:
1. SECURITY - Wireless access provided by the library is unsecured. Anti-virus, security, and privacy protection are the responsibility of the user.
2. CONTENT- It is the user’s responsibility to determine the suitability and appropriateness of the content accessed through the Internet. The library assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, quality, or currency of Internet resources accessed while using the public computers.
3. INAPPROPRIATE USE- Public computer use is governed the library’s Conduct and Courtesy Policy and is subject to Chapter 14, Article 60 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Displaying materials that violate federal, state or local laws; propagating malicious software; violating copyright laws and software licensing agreements; damaging computer equipment or software; and attempting to access unauthorized files or systems.
4. STAFF ASSISTANCE - Library staff does not provide technical assistance related to users’ wireless devices or assist in making changes to network settings, software or hardware configurations on personal devices, or install any equipment, accessories or software onto users’ devices
5. PRINTING - Printing is not available via the library’s wireless service.
6. LIBRARY’S RESPONSIBILITY- The library is not responsible for any theft, damage or misuse of user’s personal devices while in use in the library.
CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATING POLICY
Violations of these rules may result in loss of access to the Internet and/or other library privileges. Unlawful activities may result in prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.
Approved by the Person County Board of County Commissioners 8/6/12