Public Computer Use and Internet Access Policy

Approved by the Board on 2-17-2011 

Purpose: 

Fountaindale Public Library offers access to computers and the Internet for information and recreation. The purpose of this policy is to set the conditions under which patrons may use the public access computers and access the Internet. 

Policy: 

In order to use our public access computers or Wi-Fi, library computer users must first agree to abide by our Public Computer and Internet Access Policy.  This policy will appear on their computer screen and computer users must click to accept the policy.  If computer users fail to do so, they will not be able to use our computers and access the Internet. 

Public access computers and Wi-Fi Internet access may be used only for designated and legal purposes.  Illegal or prohibited acts may include but are not limited to: Unauthorized copyright use, viewing obscene material or viewing sexually explicit material, falsification of documents, violating software licenses, damaging or attempting to damage Library equipment/software/software configurations, compromising system security, impacting network performance, libeling, slandering, misrepresentation, solicitation, and harassment.  Any activity previously not mentioned that results in complaints from other patrons or staff may be prohibited as well. 

Illegal/prohibited use of the public access computers and Wi-Fi Internet access will result in suspension of computer privileges and may lead to loss of Library privileges or being banned from the Library building.  Illegal acts may be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities. 

The Library does not restrict access to any information on the Internet. 

We encourage parents/guardians to monitor and supervise their children’s use of the Internet. 

Fountaindale Public Library staff reserves the right to end a computer session at any time, to allow or refuse an extension of time, or to ask a customer to vacate the computer commons area at any time. 

Rules and Procedures: 

Computers with Internet access are available to anyone with a valid library card from a Prairie Area Library System library.  Cardholders will receive one hour of access on a first come, first served basis.  After the hour has expired, patrons can extend their time in half hour increments for up to three hours if no one else is waiting for a computer. 

If computer users do not have a library card, they may sign up for a computer with a valid ID for a maximum of one hour with no extensions.  A valid ID is: a Library Card from outside the Prairie Area Library System, Drivers License, State ID Card, School ID Card, Work ID Card, Military ID Card, Passport, or a Traffic Ticket. 

There is a limit of two computer users per workstation and they will be counted as one computer user. 

Users are discouraged from offering personal information, such as name, address, credit card number, etc., to sites on the Internet. 

Parents/guardians are responsible for monitoring the use of Internet by their children. 

Downloading of information is permitted onto any storage media that the library can accommodate. 

Computer users in 6th grade or above should use the computers in the commons area on the second floor.  Computer users in 5th grade or younger may use a computer in the commons area on the second floor only if a parent is present.  Computer users in 5th grade or younger should use the computers in the Children’s area on the 1st floor.  Adults may use computers in the Children’s area only if they are with their child and are expected to abide by the rules and procedures of Children’s services. Computer users in 6th grade to 12th grade may also use computers in the young adult area of the library. 

Any patron with a device that can access the Internet with Wi-Fi may do so.