Computer Use Policy

Elsa Public Library

Computer Use Policy
If you have any questions about the Internet Policy please contact a librarian for more information. This policy applies to all patrons who use Elsa Public Library computers.

Purpose
The Elsa Public Library provides Internet access for informational and educational purposes only. The Library only assumes responsibility for the information provided on the home page and the supporting web pages resident on this server. Elsa Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet. The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national, and international sources of information. However, not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Responsibilities of Users
Supervising children's use
It is the library's policy that parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding what library resources are appropriate for their children. There will be some resources which parents may feel are inappropriate for their children. Parents should let their children know if there are materials which they do not want them to use. Parents should supervise their child's Internet sessions. Most of the workstations use filtering software to access the Internet. No filtering software can control access to all materials that an individual may deem inappropriate.

Choosing and evaluating sources
The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and information content. Library patrons use it at their own risk. The Library cannot censor access to materials or protect users from materials they may find offensive. In choosing sources to link to our home page, we follow generally accepted library practices. Beyond this, we do not monitor or control information accessible through the Internet and do not accept responsibility for its content.
We are not responsible for changes in content of the sources to which we link, or for the content of sources accessed through secondary links.
As with printed information, not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Users should evaluate Internet sources just as they do printed publications, questioning the validity of the information provided.

Rules governing use
The computers are limited to two hours per day, & one hour after school from 3:30 till closing. NO drinks or snacks allowed inside the library and near the computers. The library staff has the right to, if he or she feels the patron is observing or reading any inappropriate material, he or she can be banned from using the computer. Computers are being MONITORED. Users WILL require a valid library card with good standing (no over dues or fines), to access the computers. Extra time may be requested under certain conditions (i.e. research, homework, testing, etc.)

Users may not:
1. Use the workstations to gain access to the Library's networks or computer systems or to any other network or computer system.
2. Obstruct other people's work by consuming gratuitously large amounts of system resources or by deliberately crashing any Library computer system.
3. Make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software.
4. Make any attempt to alter software configurations.
5. Make any attempt to cause degradation of system performance.
6. Use any Library workstation for any illegal or criminal purpose.
7. Violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements in their use of Library workstations.
8. Engage in any activity which is deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous, or slanderous.
9. Install or download any software.
10. Chat in any of the computers.
11. Violations may result in loss of access. Unlawful activities will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner.

Internet Functions Supported
The Library provides graphical browsers at all locations. The Library does not provide electronic mail accounts, Internet Relay Chat, or Newsgroups. Printing is available at all sites.
Copyright
U.S. copyright law (Title 17, 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. Any responsibility for any consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user; the Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use. The Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility arising from access to or use of information obtained through its electronic information systems, or any consequences thereof.