COMPUTER USE POLICY

Milton Public Library provides free Wi-Fi and public access computers for all visitors. You do not need a library card or password. Wireless printing is available. Ask for password at the front desk.

There are eight public access computers. Five are set aside for adult use; three are reserved for children and teens.

As with other library materials, parents or guardians should monitor their children’s use of library resources, including the internet. It is the parent or guardian who sets family standards and values, and the library should not usurp that responsibility. The library strongly recommends that parents or guardians work with their children when using computers and the Internet.

Public access computers are available on a first come first serve basis. Computer time may not be reserved.

To use the public access computers, please sign in at the front desk before you begin using a computer, and sign out when you’re finished. A maximum of two people are allowed at each computer station.

You may use a computer for 30 minutes, and may extend your time if no one is waiting. If no computer is available, please ask for assistance at the front desk.

Computers are shut down 15 minutes before closing.

Printing costs 25 cents per page for black and white, and 50 cents per page for color. Front and back equals two pages. You are responsible for checking the printing preferences and print preview before printing any page, to ensure you are printing the color choice and number you want. If paper is supplied by the user, printing cost is 10 cents per page for black and white, and 30 cents for color.

Please respect others around you by keeping your conversations quiet, and taking your phone calls into the bathroom lobby or outside. Headphones must be used with audio. The library sells earbuds for $1.

Violation of copyright laws or licensed software is prohibited and will be reported.

Users must bring their own memory drives and storage devices if they wish to save files.

The library’s complete computer and internet use policy follows. It was approved by the Library Board of Trustees in August 2013. By using the library’s Wi-Fi and/or computer workstations, you are agreeing to abide by this policy. A paper copy is available at the front desk.

Computer and Internet Use

General Policy

As part of the Milton Public Library’s mission to develop resources to meet the diverse cultural, governmental, educational and recreational needs of the community it serves, public access computers and wireless access to the Internet are available to all persons regardless of age, educational level, financial status, physical ability, or library card ownership. As other advances in information technology are incorporated into our daily operations, they shall become part of this policy, unless otherwise determined by the Library Board of Trustees.

The Internet offers access to information, ideas, and commentary from around the world, and a vast array of tools and resources for different age levels and points of view. However, not all sites on the Internet provide information that is accurate, complete, current, or legal.

• The Milton Public Library does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy of information obtained through the Internet.
• The library has no control over the information accessed through the Internet, and cannot be held responsible for its content.
• Some resources contain material that some patrons may find personally offensive or may consider inappropriate for children.

As with other Library materials, parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for their children’s (children and young people ages 17 and under) use of the Internet and the computers.
Milton Public Library Internet and computer users are advised not to enter any sensitive personal or financial information such as bank account passwords and credit card numbers into these public computers. The Milton Public Library is in no way responsible for the results of such actions.

A copy of this policy and rules will be available on the Milton Public Library’s website (www.miltonlibraryvt.org). In addition, anyone may receive a written copy of these guidelines upon request. Library staff may also be available to demonstrate the use of public access computers to first-time users, if time permits. Library staff cannot provide individual in-depth training, but may be able to offer searching suggestions and answer questions.

The public access computers are normally available, subject to periodic maintenance, during library hours; users do not need to be library cardholders, but they must agree to this policy and set of rules when they sign in to use a computer. By signing in, users are agreeing to abide by these policies and rules.

Library staff will not actively monitor a user’s Internet or computer use, except for length of use in order to ensure equal opportunity of access for everyone. The library reserves the right to terminate an Internet or computer session that disrupts library services, or that involves user behavior that violates the library’s policies and rules.

Use of the public access computers is by appointment (currently a sign-up sheet). Appointments are limited to a half hour per session, but you may continue to use the public access computer if no one else is scheduled.

The public access computers will be used for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only, not for unauthorized, illegal, or unethical purposes.

Patrons are required to respect the privacy of others by not misrepresenting themselves as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.

If a patron wishes to save files, they must use their own memory device (or email the item to themselves).

Software and information (such as pictures) downloaded from the public access computers may contain a virus or malware. Milton Public Library is not responsible for damage to a patron’s memory device or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from patron use of the library’s computers.

All users of this service agree to hold Milton Public Library harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities directly or indirectly relating to the use of the Internet, caused thereby or arising therefrom. In no event shall Milton Public Library have any liability for lost profits or for indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages or any liability to any third party, even if Milton Public Library is advised of the possibility of such damages.

Technology Protection Measures

The library will install filtering software or other technologies on the Young Adult and Teen computers and the wireless Internet, and will enforce the operation of same during any use of those computers or the wireless Internet to prevent minors from accessing visual or textual descriptions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors (see the Children’s Internet Protection Act, Pub. L. 106-554).

The term “harmful to minors” is defined as any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that

1. Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex or excretion;
2. Depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals;
3. Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

Filtering software is not foolproof. It diminishes the likelihood that searchers will inadvertently retrieve text or images that they might find offensive, but does not eliminate the possibility. Filters often block access to sites that users would consider both inoffensive and useful.

Technology protection measures can only be disabled by the appropriate library staff member, as necessary, for bona fide research or other lawful purposes by people aged 18 or older. Any patron may request that this software be disabled if they believe it has incorrectly blocked access to an Internet site; upon such request, the library staff will review the site and make a determination as to whether or not the material is obscene.

The judgment of the staff is not final; patrons may request that the Director of the Library review the site and make a decision, and may appeal the Director’s decision to the Library Board of Trustees.

Response to the Violations

The patron’s access to the library’s computer network and Internet is a privilege, not a right.

A patron violates this policy and rules by his or her own action or by failing to report any violations by other users that come to the attention of the patron.

Further, a patron violates this policy if he or she permits another patron to use his or her account or password to access the computer network and Internet.

Failure to comply with this policy and set of rules will result in the forfeiture of the patron’s privilege to access the library’s computers and Internet. In certain instances, as determined by the Library Director and/or the Board of Trustees, forfeiture can be permanent.

Library staff are available to assist patrons with computer issues, but patrons are asked to keep in mind that library staff has other responsibilities and may not be familiar with every application a patron might wish to use.