Policy for Access to Electronic Information

The Elkins Public Library is pleased to offer public access to the Internet and CD-ROMs. These services make available a wealth of information to our patrons, and illustrate our commitment to the role of the public library in the information age. The following policy will be followed to equitably allow access to all. All patrons must read and acknowledge this policy with a witnessed signature on the Computer Registration Form before using the computer.

Disclaimer: The Elkins Public Library and its Trustees and staff do not control the Internet. The Internet is a global entity. Parents are responsible for supervising their children's Internet sessions at the library.

General:
1. The computer is available to registered library cardholders in good standing only. Access will be made available after the patron reads the policy and agrees to it by signing the Application for Computer Registration Card. This form with a valid signature will be kept on file at the circulation desk. Users under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian come into the library and counter sign the application for computer use to grant unsupervised access.

2. Users who abuse the computer services or equipment will find their usage terminated at any time by a member of the Library staff. Users will be held responsible for any damage to equipment caused by misuse. Malicious damage to equipment will
result in suspension of library privileges.

3. The computer is provided for patron access to the Internet and Library provided  CD-ROMs. User provided software or downloading shareware is prohibited.

4. The user agrees to obey all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing copyright, licensing and content restrictions. The library reserves the right to terminate or restrict the user's privileges for abuse of these conditions.

5.. These guidelines may be revised at any time. A current copy of this policy will be available. It is the user's responsibility to check to make sure he/she knows the latest policy.

Access/Reservations:
6. The computers are available for use only during scheduled library operating hours.

7. The library recommends that users reserve the computer in advance. One thirty minute time slot may be reserved up to one week in advance. Time may be extended if no other patrons are waiting. Patrons who are ten minutes late for their appointment will forfeit if another patron is waiting. Patrons who fail to show up for a scheduled appointment twice will lose their ability to reserve time slots.

8. Unreserved time may be used on a walk-in basis for thirty minute time slots. Time may be extended if no other patrons are waiting.

9. Users sign in at the circulation desk. They must state their borrower number and Library staff will verify that the patron has a signed Computer Registration Card on file.

Downloading/Printing/Hard Disk Usage:
10. Users may download only to diskettes (3.5 inch.) Only diskettes purchased from the Library for a $0.50 fee may be used in the computer. No materials, shareware, etc. may be downloaded to the hard drive.

11. There is a $0.10 per page fee for black & white material printed and a $0.25 fee for color prints.

12. Any manipulation of the operating systems, set, or files will result in the loss of privileges by the user.

Internet:
13. Access will be provided to the World Wide Web (WWW). Access is not provided To E-mail, chat rooms, use groups or bulletin boards.

14. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information.  Users need to be good information consumers, questioning the validity of the information.
 
15. Users should understand that the Internet provides a wealth of information from thousands of computers world-wide. Some of the information may be offensive to individual tastes. It is the responsibility of the user (parent or guardian in the case of users under 18) to select appropriate information. Individuals who do not comply with this provision will have their computer privileges revoked.

16. Users will be personally responsible for any materials ordered via the Internet.  They will need to pay for these items on-line with a credit card. The Library will not be responsible for these costs.

17. Library staff cannot control the availability of communication links or services of the Internet Access Provider, which may change rapidly and unpredictably.

CD-ROM:
18. Only Library-provided CD-ROMs may be used in the computer.

19. CD-ROMs are kept at the circulation desk and may be changed only by the Library staff. Patrons may choose a CD-ROM from the posted list and request it from the circulation desk.