Lincoln Parish Library - Ruston LA 71270
Public Computers
Lincoln Parish Library
Electronic Resources Access Policy
I.
Electronic resources and user’s responsibility
These resources contain a wealth of information.
Users should be aware that some information may be inaccurate, outdated,
and/or offensive. Use of these
resources carries with it a patron’s responsibility to evaluate the quality of
the information accessed. Though the
computers are filtered, (see FILTERING below.)
the proper use of these resources by children is the responsibility of
parents, not the library.
Computer use is a privilege and should be treated as such
by all users and visitors of the library.
Library staff has the right to determine the appropriateness of computer
use, and/or the appropriateness of a user’s behavior in the computer areas of
the library. Staff can at any time
require a patron to end his/her computer session.
Prohibited uses or violation of policy will result in the loss of
workstation privileges. (See
Penalties below.)
II.
Acceptable Uses (examples)
Patrons are encouraged to use the workstations for the
following purposes:
-
Research and educational information.
-
Unstructured navigation of (“surfing”) the Internet to
locate sites of interest and improve usage skills.
-
Reading and printing from full text databases.
-
School work, both printed and online.
-
Job hunting and resume writing.
-
Downloading of public domain
media to the patron’s own disc.
III.
Prohibited Uses
Workstations may not be used for:
-
Illegal, unauthorized, unethical, or commercial
purposes.
-
Manipulation of internal hardware and/or software,
including uploading of any software.
-
Transmission or downloading of any material in
violation of state or federal laws, including but not limited to the
following:
-
Sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics
which may reasonably be construed as obscene and/or pornographic;
-
Copying or downloading of any material in violation
of copyright law. (Downloading of software and files not in the public
domain is a violation of copyright law and is expressly prohibited.)
IV.
Limitations
AGE
Children under twelve (12) years of age must use computers
in the Children’s area. A
parent, guardian, or caregiver over the age of seventeen must remain with any
child under the age of six (6) years old.
Parents are responsible for the use of all library
computers by their children who have not yet attained the age of seventeen (17).
TIME
The library utilizes the Envisionware time management
software on all library computers.
Adult Computers—Each patron is allowed two (2) one
(1) hour sessions per day.
Adult computers may be used by any patron over the age of twelve (12).
Teen Computers—Each patron is allowed two (2) one
(1) hour sessions per day. Teen
computers in the Teen area are intended for patrons between ages twelve (12) and
eighteen (18).
Children’s Computers—Each patron is allowed two (2)
thirty (30) minute sessions each day of use.
Computers in the Children’s area are designated for patrons under the age
of twelve (12) years old. (See
AGE above.)
Library Visitors—Lincoln Parish Library requires that each
patron requesting a “visitor’s card” for computer use to present a valid
identification card as proof of non-Lincoln Parish residence.
Visitors may also request a visitor’s card for their children by
following the same guideline. A
visitor’s card user will abide by the time limitations determined by age as
designated above. A visitor’s card
is only good for the day it is issued.
Any patron or visitor can request an extension of time
before their time expires. Staff
will grant time extensions based on availability of computers.
If more than two computers are open, staff will extend any patron’s
session by 30 minutes. Patrons
doing lengthy research, assignments, testing, or job hunting will be given
special consideration.
FILTERING
At its February 16, 2004 meeting, the Lincoln Parish
Library Board of Control voted to install a filtering system on all library
computers in order to comply with H.R. 4577, which passed Congress on December
15, 2000. All sites considered to be
pornography by this filtering system are now blocked from all computers at the
library. The Lincoln Parish Library
Board of Control may at any time block a Site.
Patrons over the age of seventeen (17), who believe that a site
should/should not be blocked, may request a reconsideration by speaking with the
library director.
V.
Costs
There is no charge for use of library computers or access
to electronic media.
The library uses Envsionware print management software.
Envisionware will give the cost of each print job on the patrons’
computer screen and the patron must approve each print job before the job will
print. On the
Envsionware system, a patron’s library card acts as a debit card
for printing costs. Money can be
added to the library card using the APM (Automatic Payment Machine) provided in
the library. When a patron approves
a print job, the amount for printing is deducted from the total available on
his/her card. Any remaining balance
on a patron’s library card will remain on his/her card for future use.
For printing, visitor’s cards can be used in the same manner as a regular
library card; however, a refund for any unused amount should be given at the end
of the visitor’s session, since the card can only be used the day it is issued.
The APM only accepts cash.
VI.
Penalties
Patrons who abuse or violate this policy will be penalized
by library staff according to a three-strikes rule.
Library personnel who exact a penalty on a patron must notify the
director, the head of public service , the head of information technology, and
either reference or children’s staff (depending on where the infraction
occurred) within 24 hours. Records
are kept on the offending patron’s library account and with the library
director.
a.
First offense: The patron will be notified of
his/her specific infraction, told to leave the library for the day, and made
aware that any further offenses will result in further action by library
personnel. A note will be placed on
the patron’s library account record.
b.
Second offense: The patron will be notified of
his/her immediate and previous infractions, asked to leave for the day, and told
that he/she is barred from computer use for one (1) week.
A note will be placed on the patrons’ library account record.
c.
Third offense: The patron will be notified of
his/her immediate and previous infractions, asked to leave for the day, and told
that he/she is barred from the library indefinitely.
He/she will be notified of the exact length of time by the library
director. The patron’s library
account is blocked.
In accordance with the library’s general policy, appeals of
such loss should be addressed in writing to the library director.
Perpetrators of malicious damage to library property or the
library’s computer network will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Any illegal activities will be reported to the proper authorities
immediately.
VII.
Wireless Access
The library provides wireless Internet access to all
patrons and visitors of Lincoln Parish Library.
Wireless Internet is filtered as indicated above.
Users of the library’s wireless network must abide by sections I-III of
this policy or be subjected to the penalties as indicted in section VI above.
VIII.
Patron
Requests
Electronic information technology continues to change.
The Lincoln Parish Library Board of Control encourages patrons to make
use of new technologies and welcomes comments and suggestions regarding policies
governing that use. Comments and
suggestions may be made to the library director in person, over the telephone,
or in writing.
IX.
Staff
Computer Use
The purpose of staff computer use is to conduct Library
business. Library computers and all e-mail, software, and other data stored on
them are Library property. Library staff and authorized agents of the Library
are the only people allowed to use library staff computers.
The Library Director is authorized to monitor all computer
usage, including reading, retrieval, and disclosure of all Internet usage and
e-mail messages for any lawful purpose, including staff compliance with this
policy.
Library employees are not permitted to monitor, read,
retrieve, or disclose other Library employee’s e-mail messages without their
consent. Library employees are required to maintain the confidentiality of
customer related information pursuant to the Lincoln Parish Library Policy.
Staff Prohibitions
Library staff is
not permitted to use computers, the Internet, or e-mail as follows:
-
In a manner that is disruptive of Library operations
that adversely affects the Library’s public image, interests, integrity,
that is harmful to employee morale or in a manner that may create a hostile
work environment.
-
For the display or transmission of pornographic or
sexually explicit images, messages, or cartoons.
-
For the display or transmission of ethnic slurs, racial
epithets, or any message that is harassing or disparaging of others based on
their race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or
religious or political beliefs.
-
To solicit or recruit others for commercial ventures,
religious or non-library political causes, or outside organizations.
-
To pursue or further any unlawful activity.
-
In a manner that will defame any person.
Any attempt to subvert, undermine, threaten, weaken,
destabilize, sabotage, destroy, or interfere in any way with the operation of
any Library computer, monitor, server, or other electronic equipment is
unacceptable under this policy and will result in disciplinary action up to and
including termination; and may result in criminal charges.
Adopted by the Lincoln Parish Library Board
of Control - July 20, 2011.
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