Computer and Internet Use Policy

Purpose
The Boulder Junction Public Library is every person’s gateway to an expanding world of information. The library is committed to providing the best possible service to the community. To achieve this goal, the library offers various resource formats and services to meet the community’s needs, including, but not limited to, public access to computers, information databases, the Internet and free wireless Internet access (WiFi) to everyone.

Policy

Computer Guidelines and Rules
Computer users must follow general guidelines when using library computers. Any misuse of the computers may result in loss of computer privileges.

1. Patrons must log in to our “Pharos” Time Management software to use the computer. Patrons must enter their library card number for login and birth date for password. Visitor passes are available for patrons who do not have a Northern Waters Library Network library card.
2. If a patron has more than $5 in fines or an expired card, they will not be able to log into the computer. Please see a staff member for assistance.
Computer sessions last 90 minutes. Library staff may extend a session beyond 90 minutes. The patron must ask for the time limit extension before their time expires. Patrons must leave the computer when their time limit has expired or request a time limit extension before their time expires, or the computer will automatically log them off and their data will be lost.
3. Patrons should use Internet resources for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. Internet access is not to be used for illegal, unauthorized, or unethical purposes.
4. Patrons should respect the privacy of others.
5. Patrons shall not send, receive, or display graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene or harmful to minors.
6. Patrons shall not change computer settings including, but not limited to, screen savers, Internet home page or desktop configuration.
7. Patrons shall not save any documents on the computer hard drive.
8. Patrons shall not download or install any software programs. If you need any free software to access a website, please ask a staff member for assistance.
9. Patrons cannot connect to the library Local Area Network with a personal laptop computer or mobile computer device. Laptop or mobile users may access our wireless network.
10. Patrons should report all error messages to the staff member on duty immediately. They shall not attempt to fix any computer problems.
11. Printing costs are displayed in the library and on the library website. Patrons should make only authorized copies of copyrighted data.
12. Only children may use the children’s computers. Only patrons age 12 and up may use the adult computers.
13. Any misuse of the computers may result in immediate termination of a patron’s session and permanent loss of computer privileges.

Wireless Internet Guidelines and Rules:
The Boulder Junction Public Library provides free WiFi to everyone. When using the WiFi, patrons must respect the following rules and regulations:

• The Library does not require patrons to register or use a password to access the WiFi. Patrons desiring to utilize the Library’s WiFi must have a portable computing device.
• The Library does not provide portable computing devices for patrons to use and does not provide detailed technical assistance to patrons using their own portable computing device.
• There is no guarantee that a wireless connection can be made or maintained.
• The Library’s WiFi does not provide a secure connection. Patrons use the Library’s wireless Internet access at their own risk. The Library encourages patrons to use virus protection, a personal firewall, and other measures to protect personal information from disclosure. Patrons using their portable computing devices are solely responsible for protecting their personal information and assume all risks of an invasion of privacy or disclosure of personal information that may occur when using the Library’s WiFi.
• The Boulder Junction Public Library is not responsible for any loss of information or damage that may occur, either directly or indirectly, to any personal equipment or data.
• Patrons utilizing the Library’s WiFi must comply with all other policies of the Boulder Junction Public Library. The Library reserves the right to terminate any wireless network connection in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations and policies.

Internet Safety
The library does not monitor nor filter the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and library patrons use it at their own discretion.

All Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all library patrons. Parents or guardians, not the library staff or volunteers, are responsible for the Internet information and images accessed by their children. Parents are encouraged to supervise their children’s Internet sessions. The Boulder Junction Public Library does NOT use filtering software on any of its computers.

The Boulder Junction Public Library may not, according to the American Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Manual, censor access to material nor protect users from information or images they deem offensive, nor can the library prevent these occurrences. Offensive materials exist on the Internet. Parents of minor children assume the responsibility for their children’s access of the Internet at the Library. Please refer to the Library Bill of Rights found in Appendix B.

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Adopted July 2001
Revised February 2003
Revised February 2004
Revised May 2006/June 2006
Revised January 2009
Revised August 2009
Revised June 2011
Revised February 2014
Revised November 2015
Revised February 2021
Revised April 2024