East Hounsfield Free Library Internet Policy and Guidelines
The following are rules and regulations of the East Hounsfield Free Library. These are effective September 23, 2019 as adopted by the Board of Trustees of the East Hounsfield Free Library.
All users of electronic resources are expected to use these resources in a responsible and ethical manner consistent with the standards and rules of the library and of the community.
Choosing and Evaluating Sources
The library offers access to the Internet as an electronic means of reaching ideas and information and greatly expanding its information services beyond the traditional collections and resources. Because of this, the library has been recognized by the New York State Department of Education as an Electronic Doorway Library.
The Internet provides access to many valuable local, national and international sources of information. However, not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information. The library cannot control the accuracy of information, the validity of the information, availability of links, nor the availability of material that some may find offensive. A user MUST evaluate the validity of the information sources.
Library users access the Internet at their own discretion and are responsible for any access points they reach.
Rules Governing Use:
- A first time user must check the user agreement in order to use the computers.
- Computer time is limited to thirty minutes.
- A user may sign up for a second session if no one is waiting.
- Use is limited to a maximum of two people per computer at a time.
- Computer use is limited to the hours that the library is open.
- Library staff is available to help navigate the Internet by offering suggestions for sites and searching assistance. Or, a person is available for training or assistance during the specified hours.
- Library staff reserves the right to remove inappropriate materials from the computer and to instruct the patron to refrain from seeking similar sites.
A User Must NOT:
- Use the PC’s to gain unauthorized access to the Library’s network or computer systems or to any other network or computer systems.
- Obstruct other people’s work by consuming large amounts of system resources or by deliberately crashing any library computer system
- Make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software
- Make any attempt to alter software configurations
- Make any attempt to cause degradation of system performance
- Use any Library computer for any illegal or criminal purpose
- Violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements in their use of library computers
- Engage in any activity which is deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous, or slanderous
- Install or download any software
The library may deny or withhold computer/Internet privileges and other library services for infractions of these policies. The parents or guardians of minors may also lose their computer privileges and other library services for infractions of these policies. Unlawful activities will be dealt with in an appropriate manner.
Access by Minors
It is the policy of the library that parents and guardians are responsible for setting guidelines and restrictions for their minor children. OR
It is the policy of the library that parents or legal guardians are responsible for monitoring what library materials and resources, including Internet access, are appropriate for their minor children. Therefore, a parent or legal guardian may deny access to the Internet by informing the library in writing and having the minor’s library card so marked. The library staff will inform any minor child with a marked care that their parent or legal guardian does not want them to access the Internet at the library. OR
As the library is a public place, it reserves the right to remove sexually explicit materials from the computer screen and to instruct the minor to refrain from seeking similar sites. Failure to comply will result in loss of Internet privileges OR
Children’s computers have a commercially produced filter which attempts to block sites that might be considered objectionable. The filter is available as an option on adult computers. The filter is set to block sites that could be offensive to some users.
The library cannot and does not guarantee that the filter will always block objectionable sites. Parents may wish to supervise their children’s Internet sessions. Parents may give their children approval to use unfiltered computers. Library staff cannot be responsible for supervising minors while they are using the Internet.
Policy Board Approved Date: Monday, September 23, 2019
Wireless Internet Access Policy
East Hounsfield Free Library
The following are rules and regulations of the East Hounsfield Free Library. These are effective September 23, 2019 as adopted by the Board of Trustees of the East Hounsfield Free Library.
The East Hounsfield Free Library offers free wireless Internet access to library users with wireless-enabled devices. The library provides unrestricted access to the Internet and does not monitor or control content. The provisions set forth in the Library’s Internet Use Policy and Acceptable Use Guidelines are applicable to wireless network access.
Our network supports a wide range of laptop computers. Most wireless network cards will be compatible. However, the Library can make no guarantees as to compatibility of a library user’s device with the Library’s network. If a device doesn’t recognize our wireless network, the library user should review the configuration settings provided at the Circulation desk. Library staff does not provide wireless access support and will not install or modify hardware or software.
Communication through the wireless network should not be considered secure. Library users are responsible for selecting and installing security protection and current virus definitions on their wireless devices. The Library is not responsible for damage to hardware or software, transmission of computer viruses, loss of data or email, or any harm resulting from the use of an unsecured server. It is strongly advised that personal, financial or otherwise sensitive information not be transmitted through the wireless network.
Printing from the wireless network is not currently available. Files can be saved to a device or e-mailed.
The wireless network can accommodate interactive searches on the Web. It cannot accommodate the downloading of large document files. Therefore, downloading of software, images, music, etc. from the Web onto a library user’s equipment is not permitted. Library users will be asked to terminate any activity that adversely impacts the network’s performance.
When using wireless-enabled devices to listen to music, dialog, sound effects, etc. library users must use earphones to make the sound inaudible to others. If sound is heard despite the earphones, the library user must lower the sound level or turn the equipment off.
Policy Board Approved Date: Monday, September 23, 2019
EAST HOUNSFIELD FREE LIBRARY COMPUTER USE POLICY
Updated September 23, 2019
Computer time will be limited to one hour – unless no one is waiting.
Computers will be turned ON/OFF by the librarian only. The computers will be turned off 10 minutes before library closes by the librarian.
No more than two people may be on the computer at a time.
NO PORNOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED.
Patrons may not use their own software programs or load them onto a computer.
All data must be stored on a personal flash drive (not supplied by the library).
Patrons may not physically or electronically attach anything to library equipment.
The cost of printing is 25¢ per page.
Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or legal guardian (unless an exception is granted by a librarian – e.g. homework).
Patrons are financially responsible for any damage they cause to the computer, related equipment or software used. Parents are responsible for damage caused by children. The Library is NOT responsible for loss of data or consequent damages arising out of the use of the computer or library software.
Software piracy is a crime! Anyone who is discovered duplicating copyrighted software on Library equipment will lose computer privileges. The Library is not responsible for user’s illegal actions.
Failure to follow the policy will result in a VERBAL WARNING, NOTICE TO PARENT (if applicable) and SUSPENSION of computer privileges.
Policy Board Approved Date: Monday, September 23, 2019
East Hounsfield Free Library Freedom to View Statement
The FREEDOM TO VIEW, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place for censorship of any medium of expression. Therefore these principles are affirmed:
1. To provide the broadest access to film, video, and other audiovisual materials because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression.
2. To protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.
3. To provide film, video, and other audiovisual materials which represent a diversity of views and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of the content.
4. To provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video, or other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.
5. To contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public’s freedom to view.
This statement was originally drafted by the Freedom to View Committee of the American Film and Video Association (formerly the Educational Film Library Association) and was adopted by the AFVA Board of Directors in February 1979. This statement was updated and approved by the AFVA Board of Directors in 1989.
Policy Board Approved Date: Monday, September 23, 2019
E-mail Privacy Policy
East Hounsfield Free Library Library
September 23 2019
We have created this email privacy policy to demonstrate our firm commitment to your privacy and the protection of your information.
Why did you receive an email from us?
If you received a mailing from us you provided your email address to us at the time you registered as a library patron and shared this address for the purpose of receiving information in the future such as “Hold” or “Overdue” notices and Email news. We respect your time and attention by controlling the frequency of our mailings.
Sharing and Usage
We will never share, sell, or rent individual personal information with anyone without your advance permission or unless ordered by a court of law. Information submitted to us is only available to employees managing this information for purposes of contacting you or sending you emails based on your request for information.
How can you stop receiving email from us?
–Notifications regarding borrowed materials.
If you no longer wish to receive email notifications relating to items you have borrowed or wish to borrow from the library you will need to contact the library so that we may remove your email address from our records.
–Email news regarding special events and library programming.
In the event that you no longer wish to receive Email news from the library simply follow the directions at the bottom of the message to opt-out of these mass mailings.
Policy Board Approved Date: Monday, September 23, 2019