Computers are located throughout the building allowing access to the library catalog. There are terminals in the Reference, YA and Children’s areas for use of the internet and databases. There is a 60 minute time limit. These computers are all attached to a printer. Black and white prints are $0.20 per page. For color prints, please ask the Reference staff for assistance. Color prints are $1 per page. Personal disks and flash drives from outside the library are not allowed in our computers. You may purchase a flash drive for $7.50 from the Reference Desk, which we will keep on file for future library use. You may also take it out of the library, but you will not be allowed to bring it back in for use in our computers.

The reference area also has a color scanner available for public to use at no charge. Please sign up at the Reference Desk for use.

Information regarding our Internet policy is located on the start-up page of the computer. To use the terminal, you must agree to our policy.

 

Internet and Computer use Policy

Huntington City-Township Public Library

The Huntington City-Township public library recognizes access to information as a fundamental right of citizenship and facilitates access to information regardless of format or technology. The provision of computers and internet access for patron use is in keeping with the Library’s stated educational and informational mission, goals and objectives. Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and employees.

The purpose of Library-provided Internet and LAN access is to facilitate communications in support of research and education. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility.

 

Responsibilities

To ensure fair and proper use of library computing resources, users must follow the legal, ethical and cooperative rules listed below.

 

Legal

Computing resources may only be used for legal purposes. Examples of unacceptable purposes include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Violation of any applicable federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations.
• Harassment of other users
• Libeling or slandering other users
• Destruction or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communication
• Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material
• Violation of software license agreements
• Transmission of speech not protected by the First Amendment, such as libel and obscenity
• Intentional propagation of computer viruses or other malicious software.
• Attempting unauthorized entry to the Library’s network or external networks
• Users may not represent themselves as another person.
• Unsolicited advertising is not acceptable
• Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other users

Ethical

Computing resources should be used in accordance with the ethical standards of the Library. Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Violation of computer system security
• Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to others
• Use of computer communications facilities in way that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others
• Violation of network usage policies and regulations
• Violation of another user’s privacy

 

Display/Dissemination of Inappropriate Materials

Use of the Library Internet access stations to display, disseminate or transmit obscene or pornographic material is prohibited.

 

Cooperative Responsibilities

The Huntington City-Township Public Library strives to balance the rights of users to access different information resources with the rights of users to work in a public environment free from harassing sounds and visuals. We ask all our library users to remain sensitive to the fact that they are working in a public environment shared by people of all ages, with a variety of information interests and needs. In order to ensure an efficient, productive computing environment, the Library insists on the practice of cooperative computing. This includes:

• Refraining from overuse of connect time, information storage space, printing facilities, processing capacities, or bandwidth capacities.
• Refraining from the use of sounds and visuals which might disrupt the ability of other library patrons to use the library and its resources.

 

Computer Station User Policy

An individual has up to one hour of computer time per day. Library staff may extend this limit if no other patron is waiting.

Preference in use of computers will be given to those desiring to use the Internet for reference purposes and use of the Inspire database. All other use of the computers is on a first-come, first –served basis.  Users are required to sign in at the computer.

No personal disks or memory sticks of any type may be used on the Library computing system. If a document must be saved to a disk or memory stick, one may be purchased at the Reference desk. The disk or memory stick will remain on file for future use. If the patron chooses to take it out of the building, the disk or memory stick may no longer be used in a Library computer.

Downloading to individual computers is prohibited.

Children 6 and under must have a responsible adult assisting them at the computer.

Printing may be done for 20 cents per page. Payment for printing may be made at the Reference desk.

Although the Library will not provide e-mail accounts, assistance in subscribing to web-based e-mail will be given and access to such accounts will be allowed. Use of e-mail accounts to provide chat is not allowed.

Chat rooms are not allowed.

The Library must have on file a signed parental consent form for children and young adults to use the internet. Parents must allow or not allow computer use when filing out registration card for any child under 18. If the child does not have a card, they must have parent or guardian give their approval for internet use before a visitor’s pass is issued.

 

Internet Safety

The Internet and its available resources contain a wide variety of material and opinions from varied points of view. Users need to be good information consumers, questioning the validity of the information. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information. The user is the selector in using the Internet with individual choices and decisions. The Internet is not monitored by any entity. Users may encounter material that could be considered inappropriate.

In offering Internet access, library staff cannot control access points which often change rapidly and unpredictably. Users are hereby notified that they are responsible for the access points they reach.

Parents of minor children assume responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet through the Library’s connection. Parents and children are encouraged to read and follow the recommendations of Child Safety on the Information Highway (www.safekids.com/child_safety.htm) and My Rules for Online Safety (www.safekids.com.kidsrules.htm). Specifically no personal information should be given without the parent’s permission. If a child encounters any information that makes him feel uncomfortable, he should tell his parent immediately. Copies of some suggestions from these websites are attached to this policy.

The Huntington City-Township Public Library site and software provides no security for credit card numbers or other personal information.

The Library’s computing resources shall not be used to access pornographic materials.

The Library computer workstations may not be used to view or transmit sexually explicit material that appeals to the prurient interest or any other material that is not constitutionally protected, or to conduct other illegal activity.

The Library’s computing resources shall not be used to access chat services.

The Huntington city-Township Public Library home page (http://www.huntingtonpub.lib.in.us) has some links to good Children’s websites. They can be found under “Children’s Services” on the website.

The Huntington City-Township Public Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from use of its World Wide Web server or from its connections to other Internet services.

 

Sanctions

Violators of computing resources use policies may lose library privileges. Violations of the policies described above will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner. Illegal acts involving Library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.

 

Disclaimer

Since the Internet is a global electronic network, there is not state/county control of its users or content. The Internet and its available resources contain a wide variety of material and opinions from varied points of view. In offering Internet access, library staff cannot control access points that often change rapidly and unpredictably. Users are hereby notified that they are responsible for the access points they reach. Parents of minor children must assume responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet through the Library’s connection. The Huntington City-Township Public Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from use of its World Wide Web or from its connections to other services.

 

Limitation of Liability

Huntington City-Township Public Library assumes no liability for any loss or damage to users’ data or disks, nor for any personal damage or injury incurred as a result of using Huntington City-Township Public Library’s computing resources.

 

Policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Huntington City-Township Public Library.

May 18, 1998

October 18, 1999

October 16, 2000

June 17, 2002

October 18, 2010

August 20, 2012