Internet and Computer Lab Policy

COMPUTER / INTERNET USE POLICY

Welcome to free Internet access at the San Benito County Free Library! The library offers three different ways for our customers to use the Internet at no charge.

1) Internet Computer Lab is for library customers, please sign up at the customer service desk with your library card.

2) Wireless Internet Access, customers using personal laptops may use the outlets in the designated Wi-Fi area.

3) 15-minute Express Internet Station is for adult use only and automatically logs off after 15 minutes.

For additional information or questions please carefully read the policies and guidelines listed below on using library computers. The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national and international sources of information, but not all sites provide accurate, complete or current information. As with other materials, the library customer evaluates the validity of information found on the Internet.

HOURS OF INTERNET USE

Internet workstations and Wireless access are available for customers during our open hours, but are shut off 30 minutes before closing time.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday. 12:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

RESPONSIBILITY OF USERS

Children / Minors Use of the Internet

As with other library materials, parents or legal guardians are responsible for their minor children's use of the Internet. Restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or guardian; the Library does not have the right or responsibility to act "in loco parentis." A parent or legal guardian must sign up minors under the age of 18, prior to their first use of the Internet by reading the Internet policy and approving their minor’s use of the Internet.

RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR INTERNET USE

In support of the mission of the library to increase opportunities for residents within a friendly and safe learning environment, the Internet is to mainly be utilized for educational, research, or cultural enrichment purposes, and to carry out the legitimate business of the Library and county. Library computers are available on a first-come, first serve basis. Abuse of library rules or computers will result in the immediate loss of library privileges and Internet use; any damages or repairs will be paid by the customer.

1. Internet users must be registered San Benito County Free Library card holders. Customers must present their library card at the Customer Service Desk before using the Internet computers.

2. Fines need to be paid and overdue materials returned before use of the computers or Internet is permitted.

3. Customers may use the Internet only once daily for up to 90 minutes, as sessions are time limited and automatically log off. Customers are encouraged to log off first and then log back on for use of the entire 90 minute session.

4. Only one customer is allowed at the Internet station at a time unless the user is with an adult volunteer tutor or another registered Internet user. The library supports customer privacy and attempts to maintain an appropriate noise level.

5. Customers may not use or download personal software programs on the Library computers. This helps prevent computer viruses that are common on public computers.

6. To save files or documents, customers may use flash drives or purchase disks at $1.00 each at the Customer Service desk. Customers may not save documents or files to the hard drive for any reason.

7. Printing of files or documents is available through a networked printer; and the cost of print jobs is l5¢ per page to be paid at the Customer Service Desk. Please preview, if possible and limit the number of pages before printing to reduce your printing costs. Please batch your printing jobs instead of paying individually for each separate page.

8. Due to technical limitations, the Library does not provide local email accounts. Use of free email sites (e.g., Hotmail, Yahoo), however is allowed.

9. The Internet workstations cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activities prohibited under any applicable federal, California, or local laws including viewing pornography.

10. The Internet workstations cannot be used for playing on-line computer gambling.

Library staff is only available to assist with basic computer use, (e.g., logging-on, sending print jobs to the networked printer; computer crashes or freezes; and other minor troubleshooting).

HOMEWORK AND LITERACY COMPUTER LAB

There is also a dedicated computer lab of six workstations for the Homework Assistance Center and the Adult Literacy Center. The three Homework Center computers include a link to Tutor.com for interactive assistance with a live tutor. The three Literacy Center computers have interactive software tools, including Rosetta Stone, for the use of Volunteer Tutors and Adult Learners registered in the Library Adult Literacy Program at San Benito County Free Library.

SECURITY

We have installed security software on our Internet computers to ensure that people can't accidentally do harm to files on the computers.

The library’s LAN (Local Area Network) may not be used to connect personal laptops or computers. This is due to security features such as IP Protocols and DNS (Direct Name Service) search order.

Materials obtained or copied on the Internet computer network may be subject to copyright laws which govern the making of reproductions of copyrighted works:

U.S. Copyright Law (Title l7, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of "fair use." Users may not copy or distribute electronic materials (including electronic mail, text, images, programs or data) without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. Responsibility for any consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user. The County of San Benito and the San Benito County Free Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.

POLICY STATEMENT

The San Benito County Free Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and it is your responsibility to use the resource wisely.

If you have read, understood and accept the Internet Use Policy and Guidelines, you may access the Internet Resources available on the Internet computers.

Approved on March 3, 1998 by: San Benito County Free Library (Rev. January 31, 2004) Technology Advisory Group; rev. 04/10/2009.