The Fountaindale Public Library District provides public access computers and portable computers to serve the needs of the Library and the Fountaindale community for the purposes of education, enrichment and discovery. Use of the public computers is governed by the policy established by the Library Board of Trustees and any applicable rules or regulations adopted by the Library. The Executive Director as the executor of the policy for the Board of Trustees has discretion in determining what use is “in the best interest of the Library” and is authorized to act accordingly, including limiting the use of the public access computers and portable computers by individuals whose activities interfere with Library operations, adversely affect public safety, or cause public disturbances. The Board of Trustees may modify, amend or supplement this policy, as it deems necessary and appropriate.
To use the Library’s public access computers or portable computers, acceptance of this Computer Use Policy is required and will immediately appear on the computer. Declining the Computer Use Policy will prohibit access to the computer. Use of computers with internet access is available for all library cardholders in good standing, non-library cardholders and short term visitors. Privileges vary based on the library account status of the patron and whether the patron has a library card.
The Children’s Services Department welcomes all computer patrons under the age of 12, or younger than 6th grade, to the Computer Park. All computer patrons falling within these age ranges are strongly encouraged to use the Computer Park.
Children younger than the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or caregiver who is 14 years or older and comply with the Library’s Unaccompanied Child Policy. As such, adults and teens who are 14 years or older may use the computers in the Computer Park if they are directly observing a child using the Computer Park. Efforts will be made, space permitting, to enable additional family members, regardless of age to use the computers in the Computer Park.
The Vortex welcomes all computer patrons ages 12 through 18, or 6th grade through 12th grade. All computer patrons falling within these age ranges are encouraged to use the Vortex computers.
The Computer Commons welcomes computer patrons of all ages. Children younger than the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or caregiver who is 14 years or older in order to comply with the Library’s Unaccompanied Child Policy.
Portable computers are available for in library use and may be checked out at multiple service desks.
Studio 300 welcomes computer patrons of all ages. Children younger than the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or caregiver who is 14 years or older in order to comply with the Library’s Unaccompanied Child Policy. Patrons must check in at the desk for a computer session. A person’s own valid library card or access card is required to use Studio 300 media computers. Guest passes are not accepted for Studio 300 computer use and will not be issued. Studio 300 computers are available for patrons working on digital media projects. General computing activities such as word processing, web browsing, email, social networking or gaming are not priorities in Studio 300. Additional time on computers is not guaranteed if a media project is rendering or is in the process of finalizing. As such, Studio 300 computers will be logged out if another patron is waiting.
A patron may not permit others to use his/her library account information or library card to use the public access computers or portable computers.
Public access computers or portable computers 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 or sexually explicit material or material harmful to minors; falsification of documents; violating software licenses; damaging or attempting to damage Library equipment/software/software configurations; compromising system security; impacting network performance; libel or slander; misrepresentation; solicitation; harassment or cyber-bullying.
Patrons should be aware that they are working in a public environment shared by people of all ages and sensibilities. Patrons should be considerate of internet sounds and visuals which might disrupt the ability of other library customers to use the library and its resources. When using any of the library’s computers headphones should be worn when listening to sounds and the volume should be kept an appropriate level as set forth in the Library’s Conduct Policy
Patrons should not tamper with existing equipment and connections without authorization from staff.
Access to the library’s public access computers, portable computers, networks, and internet service is open and provided for convenience and at a user’s own risk. It is available to the general public and is not inherently secure. The Library cannot and does not guarantee the privacy of data and communication while using the library’s computers.
The Library’s Conduct Policy and Library’s Computer Use Policy applies to all areas of the library, including, but not limited to, the Computer Commons, Computer Park, Studio 300, Teen Vortex and the Library’s portable computers, as well as the Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs/PACs).
A person’s own library card is required in order to take full advantage of the Library’s public computers or portable computers. Library cards must be valid (current) and in good standing.
All library cardholders will receive an initial 2 hour session on a first-come, first-served basis. Extra time on public computers or portable computers may be accommodated to library cardholders in one or more one hour increments if no one is waiting for a computer.
If a patron’s library account is not in good standing, patrons ages 18 and older may receive no more than one guest pass per day. Extra time in one one hour increment per guest pass may be allowed. In the event that a patron needs to end a guest pass session early, computer staff can issue a second guest pass for the remainder of the time.
Guest passes may also be made for non-library cardholders. No more than one one hour guest pass may be allowed per day for non-library cardholders. Extra time in one one hour increment may be allowed for non-library cardholders. In the event that a non-library cardholder needs to end a guest pass session early, computer staff can issue a second guest pass for the remainder of the time.
Guest passes are not accepted for Studio 300 computer use and will not be issued.
Reservations will be made for patrons when the computer areas are full. All open computer sessions will end five minutes before the library closes.
Accommodations may be made for library patrons who are taking an online exam or an online class to allow for extended hours of continuous use. Please ask staff for assistance in advance.
Ten minute quick print sessions are available. An extension of time on the quick print session is not permitted.
Computers may be reserved by Studio 300 staff for training purposes.
If a patron 12 years old or older does not have a library account or their library card is not in good standing, he/she may sign up for a shortened computer session with library staff by using a valid ID. If a patron 11 years old or younger does not have a library account or their library card is not in good standing, he/she may sign up for a shortened computer session with library staff without an ID. A shortened computer session is defined as a guest pass.
A Valid ID includes: Drivers License; State ID; School ID; Work ID; Military ID; Passport; Traffic ticket.
Patrons may not combine cards in order to receive longer or additional computer sessions.
There is a limit of one patron per computer in the Computer Commons, and Vortex and two patrons per computer in the Computer Park. Staff may authorize more than one person to a computer in the Computer Commons, and Vortex.
A parent or guardian of a child under the age of 18 may request that computer privileges be turned off by visiting the library and making changes to the child’s account. The parent or guardian must present a valid photo ID in order for the changes to be made.
Library staff members may provide assistance to patrons in the use of computers as time and staff knowledge permits. Patrons needing in-depth instruction or help are encouraged to set up an appointment with a staff member.
The Library does not provide physical or virtual storage for patrons.
Once a computer or other station has been vacated for more than 10 minutes, the Library reserves the right to remove the patron’s belongings without assuming responsibility or liability thereof and to reassign the computer or other station to an available status.
Fountaindale Public Library District staff reserves the right to end a computer session at any time and to grant extensions of time in appropriate situations.
Failure to comply with Library policies, rules and regulations (including this policy) will be grounds for suspension of computer use and/or library privileges.
The Library is not responsible for possessions left in the Computer areas or moved by staff to another location.
Any individual using the computer areas shall be held responsible for willful or accidental damage to the Library building, grounds, collections or furniture caused by the individual in accordance with the Library Conduct Policy.
The Board of Trustees of the Fountaindale Public Library District will review the Computer Use policy and regulations periodically and reserves the right to amend them at any time. The Board authorizes the Executive Director to waive regulations under appropriate circumstances. The Executive Director is the chief person empowered to make decisions regarding the availability and use of the public computers.
Any appeals for changes to, or exceptions to, any portion of the Computer Use policy will be considered. An individual wishing to file an appeal shall submit it to the Executive Director in writing. The Executive Director will respond in writing.
