|
|
Computer Usage Guidelines
The Library provides Internet access computer stations for free public use. The Public Internet access PCs are amanaged to make them available to a maximum number of users per day. The Adult Public Services area has 6 Public Internet access PCs for use by patrons of 7th grade age or oder. The Youth Services Department has two Public Internet Access stations, available for children, sixth grade and under, with signed parental consent forms on file.
Users of the Internet access computers can view graphics and text, download or print text files, and access Web-based e-mail accounts. Microsoft Office applications are available on the Public Internet access PC stations in the Adult Department. Youth Services provides access to Microsoft Office products to children through Grade 6 without parental consent.
Users of computers in the Adult Department must be in 7th grade or older. Library staff reserves the right to ask for proof of age. Any person younger than 7th grade must be accompanied by a responsible adult [18 years or older]. The responsible adult must remain at the computer station with the child
All computers also provide access to Microsoft Office products.
Use of the Public Internet Access Computers:
- The Library provides two Express Internet access Stations. The following guidelines apply to these computers:
- All computer users must be registered in the library's patron database, with either a Morton Grove library card, a valid card from another public library, or a "Computer Use Only" (CUO) card.
- Maximum of 15 minutes plus one 5-minute extension.
- Maximum of 60 minutes of Express Station time per day (any number of sessions).
- User must be 7th grade or older or be accompanied by a responsible adult [18 years or older].
- User must be proficient in navigating the Internet.
- The Library provides six Public Internet access stations. The following guidelines apply to these computers:
- All computer users must be registered in the library's patron database, with either a Morton Grove library card, a valid card from another public library, or a "Computer Use Only" (CUO) card.
- Library card holders may use a computer for up to 3 hours per day (90 minutes on Sundays). Initial sessions are for 2 hours, with up to two 30-minute extensions (1 hour plus one 30-minute extension on Sundays). Sessions will be shortened in terms of both initial length and number and length of extensions if another user has a pre-existing reservation on the user's computer (example: User A has a reservation at 3:00; user B, signing on at 2:15, without a reservation, will receive a 45-minute session with no extensions).
- CUO card holders are limited to a 1-hour initial session plus one 30-minute extension (all days).
- There is no limit to the number of sessions (sign-ins) a user can have in one day, as long as the total computer time does not exceed the limits stated above.
- If not prevented by other resservations, extensions become available 10 minutes prior to the end of a session.
- Computers are available from the time the Library opens until 10 minutes before closing time; all sessions automatically end 10 minutes prior to closing (users are made aware of the time available, based on the session ending 10 minutes prior to closing, when they sign in).
- The minimum session time is 5 minutes; a user cannot sign in on a computer if it has a reservation starting in the next 5 minutes, nor can a user sign on within 15 minutes of closing time (because all sessions end 10 minutes before closing time).
- The full length of a future or not-yet-completed reservation counts towards a user's daily limit until the session is ended (Example: If user C has a 2-hour reservation at 6:00, he will be limited to 1 hour of additional computer time earlier in the day. He also cannot make an additional reservation on that day because that would increase his reserved time to more than the 3-hour per day limit.)
- Unused reservations and unused portions of a session (after a user signs out) are not counted against the 3-hour daily limit.
- Computers may be reserved up to 3 days in advance.
- Reserved computers are held for 10 minutes after the start of the reservation, after which the computer becomes available to any user.
- Signing in late (up to 10 minutes) to a reservation does not extend the session past the original end time of the reservation.
- If a user signs in (on any computer) within 1 hour of the start of the user's reservation, the reservation is moved up to the current time and computer (if it was for a different computer). Signing in more than an hour before a reservation is treated as an additional session; the reservation is not affected.
- While two friends may work together for one two-hour block, they may not make back-to-back two-hour reservations, with both of them then being at the computer for the entire 4 hours (or more, depending on extensions). If they're both at the computer the first two hours, the one who's not signed up for the second two hours will be asked to leave the computer after the first two hours.
- All computer stations are available on a first-come; first-served basis to users who have not exceeded their time allotment provided there are no advance reservations for that time slot.
- Files downloaded to the C drive (the hard drive) will not be retrievable. You may download files to your own flash drive or diskette at any computer. Diskettes are available for purchase from the Reference Desk for $1.00.
- Printing is available from all Public Internet access computers at 10¢ per page.
- There are no charges for printouts from online catalog computers.
General Guidelines:
Users are expected to have mastered basic computer skills, including the ability to use a mouse and to access menu items. All Public Internet access PC station users are reminded to be considerate and courteous to all other users.
- The Library's Public Internet access computers are intended for use by a single individual only. In all cases, because of limited space and in consideration of other Library patrons, a maximum of two persons may sit and/or work together at any one computer. If disruptions occur because of overcrowding at any of the terminals, staff may ask all non-users to leave the computer station.
- Public Internet access PCs do not support any e-mail clients. Patrons may not attempt to install e-mail software on the Public Internet station, but web based e-mail services are accessible. MGPL does not provide e-mail accounts.
- The Morton Grove Public Library is not responsible for damage to a patron's disk, or for any loss or corruption of data, damage to user hardware or storage, or liability that may occur from patron use of the Library's computers or software.
- The Morton Grove Public Library has no control over, and is not responsible for, the availability or accuracy of the information from sites not created by or maintained by the Morton Grove Public Library. Only Web pages with the MGPL logo are provided and maintained by the Morton Grove Public Library. Users of Public Internet access PC stations are solely responsible for the evaluation and use of data they gather from the Internet.
- MGPL staff will not enter any data into a Website on behalf of, nor complete an online form for, any Library patron.
- Information on the Internet may be erroneous; out-of-date; illegal or considered offensive; and/or controversial or sexually explicit. Public Internet access PC station users have sole responsibility for identifying/avoiding such information.
- Child Safety on the Information Highway is an informative brochure (accessible on the Internet) on the issue of children and their utilization of online resources. Parents are encouraged to work closely with their children to develop good Internet safety skills, which are consistent with their family's values and boundaries.
- The Library also cannot assure access to all resources at any given time; they may be busy, available only to authorized people, or closed.
- You may not use the Library's computer stations for illegal activities. Because the Library is a public place, the displaying of sexually suggestive objects or pictures is in violation of the Morton Grove Village Code (6-1-5) and could be in violation of state and Federal obscenity laws (720 ILCS 5/11-20 and 720 ILCS 670/0.01 et seq.; U.S. Code Title 18, Chapter 110 and Title 47, 223 and 231). It is the responsibility of the user to respect the Morton Grove Village ordinance on obscenity and refrain from displaying such images.
- You may not use the Library's computers to interfere with or disrupt other users, services or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, harassment, distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer viruses, or attempts to make unauthorized entry to other computers.
- You are asked to respect the privacy of other computer users. This includes not representing yourself as another user, not modifying passwords, not trying to gain access to someone else's data, and not "hovering" over other users while waiting for your turn. This includes not viewing and/or commenting on a neighboring computer user's screen contents (without permission).
The Morton Grove Public Library may suspend or terminate computer privileges if the Library reasonably believes that any patron has violated these guidelines.
Approved by the Morton Grove Public Library Board of Trustees, January 30, 2006; revised December 13, 2007.
|
|
