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 the World Wide Web.

Policy

Time Limit
Use of computers is available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, to ensure free access for all, library staff reserves the right to set a 30-minute time limit on computer use sessions.

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.
3. Computer sessions last 30 minutes. If no one else is waiting for a computer, a patron’s session may be extended another 30 minutes. If no one is waiting after the second 30-minute session, the patron’s session may be extended another 30 minutes. Maximum session length per day is 90 minutes. If a patron needs more than 90 minutes to take a test, apply for a job or any other educational or job search task, the library staff can extend the time limit. The patron must ask for the time limit extension before their time expires.
4. 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.
5. If there are no available computers, patron must log in to the main Pharos computer to the left of the reading room. The computer software program will enter the patron in a queue and let the patron know when a computer becomes available.
6. 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.
7. Patrons should respect the privacy of others.
8. Patrons should not send, receive, or display graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene or harmful to minors.
9. Patrons should not change computer settings including, but not limited to, screen savers, Internet home page or desktop configuration.
10. Patrons cannot save any documents on the computer hard drive.
11. Patrons should not download or install any software programs. If you need any free software to access a website, please ask a staff member for assistance.
12. Patrons may not 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.
13. Patrons should report all error messages to the staff member on duty immediately. They should not attempt to fix any computer problems.
14. Printing costs $.15 per B/W one-sided 8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14 sheet of paper, $.30 per B/W two-sided 8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14 sheet of paper or one-sided 11 x 17 sheet of paper, $.30 per color one-sided 8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14 sheet of paper, and $.60 per color two-sided 8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14 sheet of paper or one-sided 11 x 17 sheet of paper. Payment should be given to the circulation desk librarian. Patrons should make only authorized copies of copyrighted data.
15. Only children may use the children’s computers. Only patrons age 12 and up may use the adult computers. Any patron may use the handicap-accessible computer; however, if a handicap patron needs to use a computer, they are given priority.
16. Any misuse of the computers may result in immediate termination of a patron’s session and permanent loss of computer privileges.

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.

To be more specific:

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 materialsexist 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