Internet and Computer Use Policy
Computer access at our Library is free and open to all library users.
In order to preserve this open access; we ask all computer users at our library to abide by the following rules:
1. You may check and send e-mail on the library computers only if you have web-based email (such as hotmail or yahoo). The library has no plug-in access for laptop-computers with modems.
2. It is the mission of the Schulenburg Public Library to provide unrestricted access to informational, educational, cultural and recreational library materials and services; however, we are also committed to being sensitive to the rights of all of our patrons. Therefore, accessing sites containing pornography or other graphics or text that is unsuitable for children or that may offend other library users or staff is not acceptable. Patrons who violate this computer use policy will be asked to exit the site immediately. Patrons who continue to violate this policy will lose their computer privileges for a period of time to be determined by the Library Director. Patrons are encouraged to report policy violations.
3. I release the City of Schulenburg and the Library from all liabilities associated with my viewing of, uses of, or exposure to any information, machine – readable file, picture, graphical representation, or illustration I may encounter while using any public-use workstation, whether or not such information appears or is delivered through the station I operate.
4. I will not harm or harass any City employee or member of the public.
5. I will not violate any state or federal statute including those regarding obscenity, pornography, or delivery to minors, material deemed harmful to them.
6. I understand that I create, store, and use personal files at my own risk and that the Library is not responsible for the loss of personal electronic documents, diskettes, and/or files.
7. I understand that I can be held responsible for any damage I may cause to the Library’s computers including repair/replacement costs resulting from the use of damaged or virus-infected diskettes and memory sticks.
8. I understand that the City of Schulenburg reserves the right to change its public use workstation access policies and procedures.
9. I understand that individual Library staff members are not authorized to modify these policies.
10. Until further changes and or cards are issued, you are required to sign in and out at the desk.
11. To get a card, you must be 17 or older and show a photo ID with your birth date and address on it. If you are under the age of 17 a parent or legal guardian must sign the rules, show ID and allow you to use the computers.
12. Parents must accept responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet while at the library. This library uses a filtering system and not all sites may be appropriate. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children while using the computers.
13. Do not alter settings for the computer hardware or software, the desktop, or web browsers. Violators may lose their computer privileges for a length of time determined by the Library Director. We do have software called Freeze on these computers which at the end of the day will clean up the computer and put it back the way it was that morning.
14. Patrons are responsible for being aware of copyright restrictions while using the Internet. Most information available on the Internet is copyrighted, so it is safe to assume so unless otherwise stated.
15. Black and white copies may be printed from the materials found on the library computers. Color copies are not available. The charge for each copy is 15 cents. After copying 20 or more copies the charge will then be 10 cents a page. The copies will come out at the circulation desk. Please ask the person at the desk for the copies. All copies must be paid for before leaving the library.
16. Memory sticks (and diskettes) brought into the library must be scanned for viruses at the front desk before using in the library computers. Downloading any files or programs to the hard drive is prohibited.
17. Do not use library computers to commit a crime. All violators will be subject to criminal prosecution by the appropriate police agency.
18. Staff will ask anyone violating the above policy to discontinue what they are doing immediately. Those who continue to violate this policy after notification of an infraction will be denied further use of the computers at the library.
19. The Library’s computers are designated ‘Adult’s’ and ‘child’s’ computers. Child’s computers are in the Children’s area of the library. Adults and Teens are not allowed on Child’s computers, but a parent or sibling may assist a child on a Child’s computer.
20. Patrons should not access unauthorized sites “hacking” and other unlawful activities online.
21. Patrons should not disclose, use, and disseminate unauthorized personal information regarding minors or other patrons.
The Library staff reserves the right to determine whether other behaviors that are not specifically identified herein are not in the best interest of the Library, and if so, to ask the patron to discontinue those actions, as well. In addition, the Library reserves the right to periodically update and modify this Policy as it deems appropriate and necessary. Staff will ask anyone violating the Library’s Internet and Computer Use Policy to discontinue what they are doing immediately, and may, and may in severe instances be asked to leave the Library. Those who violate this policy may lose their computer privileges for a length of time determined by the Library Director. Repeat violators may lose other Library privileges and/or the right to be present on Library property and/or to use Library services.
Addendum to the Acceptable use Policy
Update for 2:
2. It is the mission of the Schulenburg Public Library to provide unrestricted access to informational, educational, cultural and recreational library materials and services; however, we are also committed to protecting our youth and being sensitive to the rights of all our patrons. To accomplish this mission, the following rules apply:
- Accessing sites containing pornography or other offensively graphic materials or text (i.e., Materials that are unsuitable or damaging to children or that may offend other Library users or staff) is not acceptable and is, therefore expressly prohibited.
- Patrons who violate this computer use policy will be asked to exit the website immediately and in the case of repeated abuse, may be asked to leave the library.
- Patrons who continue to violate this policy will lose their Library and/or computer privileges for a period of time to be determined by the Library Director. Patrons are encouraged to report policy violations.
Update for 14:
Patrons are responsible for being aware of all possible copyright restrictions while using the Internet. Most information available on the Internet is copyrighted, and therefore is legally protected from duplication by the public. Therefore, permission must be obtained to use the images or text presented on the Internet. If you are not sure that you have a legal right to use Internet materials, they you should not attempt to duplicate it.