Scranton Library

Computer and Internet Use Policies

Scranton Library Mission Statement

The Scranton Library will strive to meet the lifelong learning, reading, and reference needs of the people of Madison by providing universal access to traditional and electronic collections, staff assistance, and use of facilities.

The Scranton Library is pleased to offer patrons the use of its computers for Internet access, word processing, spreadsheets, and information searches. Thanks to the Internet and other computer-based resources, library patrons can now access a far richer collection of material than was previously imaginable or affordable. However, the Scranton Library does not monitor and has no control over accessed information, and cannot be held responsible for its content or quality. Parents/legal guardians have first and final responsibility for supervision of their child’s access to the Internet.

In exchange for this increased information access, we ask that patrons act responsibly and do nothing that would detrimentally affect other patrons’ access. Our computer and Internet resources, (computers, software, related equipment, on-line access, and databases) are funded through limited government and charitable resources. Computers differ fundamentally from print media in their expense, capabilities, and fragility.

• No food or drink near the computers
• The availability of the staff to help patrons with basic computer instructions or with Internet access is limited by the need to serve other patrons. Staff will attempt to answer the computer user’s specific questions. Manuals and tutorials are available at the Adult Information Desk.
• Availability is on a first come, first serve basis.
• Computer sessions at the adult and teen computers are limited to one hour Sept. to June, 30 minutes June to mid-Sept., 30 minutes in the Children’s Room, longer if no one is waiting.
• An adult must accompany children under 6.
• Users must sign in at the Information Desk for computer use.
• Patrons may not load their own software onto library computers or save any files on the hard drive. Patrons may download to a floppy disk.
• Printing is 10¢ per page. Copies produced from the scanner are $1.00 per page.
• No more than two people may use a workstation at one time, and both must be signed up at the Information Desk.
• At the end of the computer session, please leave the workstation ready for the next person. Do not turn off the computer.
  

Violations and Penalties

The Library reserves the right to terminate any computer use or Internet session at any time. Repeated violations of any of the aforementioned Procedures may lead to suspension or revocation of Library access to the computers as well as to the Internet and its resources. Users (or parents of users in the case of minors) who damage Library equipment (including introducing viruses) are expected to pay for repairs or replacement to the equipment, including reasonable charges for staff time, before privileges are reinstated.

Policy Changes:

This policy is subject to change at the discretion of the Scranton Library Board. Adopted April 20th, 1998.

Internet Resources

The Internet is a vast information network. Library patrons should use this resource for purposes appropriate to the Scranton Library’s Mission.

The Internet contains material that some patrons will find offensive. There are sites that are unacceptable for use or viewing in a public library setting, and some sites are extremely inappropriate for children. Internet information is often not verified as accurate, and patrons should be aware that errors and intentional misinformation do occur regularly.

Because some of the material accessible on the Internet is not suitable for children, the computers contain Internet filtering software maintained by the Town of Madison. This software does not always work reliably. Material inappropriate for children may still be accessible, and material appropriate for all ages may be inaccessible on these computers. Parents who permit their minor children to use the Library computers should understand that the risk of inappropriate sites does exist. Neither the Library nor its staff can undertake oversight responsibility with respect to minors in this regard.Parents are solely responsible for the actions of their minor children within the Library.