Fountaindale Public Library District provides public access computers and laptops 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 laptops 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.
This Computer Use Policy governs the use of the library’s public-access computers and laptops. Computers with internet access are available for all library cardholders and visitors. Privileges vary based on the patron’s library account status and whether the patron has a library card.
The Children’s Services Department welcomes all computer patrons 6th grade and under, to 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 in order to 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 in grades 6th through 12th. All computer patrons falling within these age ranges are encouraged to use the Vortex computers.
The Computer Commons welcomes computer patrons of all ages.
Laptops are available for in-library use and may be checked out at multiple service desks.
Studio 300 welcomes computer patrons of all ages. 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 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 their library account information or library card to access public computers or laptops.
Public access computers or laptops 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 cyberbullying.
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 at 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, laptops, 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.
A person’s own library card is required to take full advantage of the Library’s public computers or laptops. Library cards must be valid and in good standing in accordance with our Circulation Policy.
All library cardholders can log in to the computers on a first-come, first-served basis, with no daily time limit.
If a patron’s library account is not in good standing, patrons may receive a guest pass. Guest passes may also be made for visitors. Extra time in one one-hour increment may be allowed for guest pass users.
Computers may be reserved by Studio 300 staff for training purposes.
There is a limit of one patron per computer in the Computer Commons, Studio 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, Studio, 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.
ASSISTANCE WITH COMPUTER INSTRUCTION
Library staff members may assist patrons in using computers as time and staff knowledge permits. Patrons needing in-depth instruction or help with supported software are encouraged to schedule 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 and reassign the computer or other station to an available status.
Library staff reserves the right to end a computer session at any time and to grant time extensions 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.
