Internet/General Computer Access Policy

 

  1. The Harper Woods Public Library purchases Internet connections and provides Internet/general computer access at designated stations.  It also provides wireless and direct line Internet connections for personal computer users.  All users of the library’s Internet connections must agree to follow the library's Internet/General Computer Access Policy.
  2. Users must follow all state and federal laws while using the Internet.  The library does not condone the use of library owned- or personal computers using the library’s wireless or direct line Internet service connections to access, transmit or print material that may be classified as obscene, child pornography, violent or harmful to minors.
  3. The library is committed to providing its patrons with an environment that is free of all forms of harassment.  All Internet users must respect the rights of other library patrons by observing the rules and regulations of the library, including but not limited to Harper Woods Ordinance Division 5, Section 2-231 (See City Library; free use, regulations).
  4. Internet users shall not access Internet sites that harass other library patrons, use computers or computer programs to harass people, damage a computer, alter a computer’s settings or infiltrate the library’s computer network.
  5. The library complies with Michigan Public Act 212 of 2000 by allowing filtered access to the Internet by minors only.  The library uses Bess Filtering and PC Reservation Management software to manage Internet use.
  6. A parent (or legal guardian) of a minor may choose to allow the minor unfiltered Internet access, provided that the parent or legal guardian directly supervise the minor’s Internet use on the same computer used by the parent/guardian.
  7. Users shall not misrepresent themselves as another person nor use another person’s library card information to access the PC Management computer system.  Violations may result in the suspension of computer privileges and/or library use.
  8. Material on the Internet may be copyrighted; users must obey copyright laws.  It is the responsibility of the patron to determine if the material is protected under copyright.
  9. Library staff will be available to help patrons with technical problems; however, staff assistance in navigating the Internet or providing detailed instruction on general computer use may be limited. 
  10. Violations of the policy may result in the suspension of computer and/or library privileges.  Persons whose computer privileges have been suspended may request a review of the suspension by the Library Board of Trustees.

Violations may be subject to review by local, state or federal law enforcement agencies.

 

Policy Adopted by Library Board May 16, 2002
Updated January 26, 2006
Updated April 19, 2007

                    
 

Computer Use Procedures                                    

1.     Computer users must possess a valid library card in order to access the computers.  Alternatively, a one-year computer use only card or a one-day computer pass may be purchased.

2.     All computer users must agree to follow the library's Internet Policy. Clicking AVAILABLE and entering your CARD NUMBER at the computer station signifies your agreement to the policy. 

3.     Card holders must bring in their card; account numbers are not looked up and access may be denied.  Individuals misrepresenting themselves and/or using another cardholder’s information may have their Internet use privileges suspended.

4.     Users are allowed two (2) sessions per day and sessions are typically one-hour long (EXCEPT on designated 15-minute express computers).  Each log-in on a 15-minute express computer is considered as one full session.

5.     Extra time and/or additional sessions may be granted solely at the discretion of the library staff. 

6.     Internet access is available on designated computers only and the library reserves the right to limit or terminate computer sessions on non-designated computers.

7.     Access is available until 15 minutes prior to closing time; technical concerns may limit availability.

8.     The library reserves the right to limit or suspend the use of the computers by card holders that have lost materials, excessive charges or fines.

9.     Time in all computer areas is allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, but reservations may be made in person at the adult services reference desk when all available computers are in use (Note: Reservations are not available for 15-minute express computers).

10. At peak usage times, reservations are given priority over requests for a 2nd computer session. 

11. Computer Area Use and Restrictions*

A. Adult Services Computer Area

1.  Unfiltered computer sessions are available to patrons 18 years of age or older. 

2.  Filtered Internet Sessions are available to youths 13- to 17- years of age.

      B. Youth Services Computer Area

1. Youths 12 years old or younger that are not accompanied by a parent/guardian must use Filtered Internet sessions in the Youth Services Area.

2. All access to the Internet on computers in the Youth Services Area is filtered.  Patrons wishing to use discs or any other devices to play video games or other content in this computer area must first obtain permission from the library staff.  Staff may use the standards of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) as a general guideline to determine if the use is consistent with this policy statement.

3. The computers in the Youth Services Area are designed for use by and the comfort of youths.  The library reserves the right to limit the use of the computers in the Youth Services by adults and such use will be granted solely at the discretion of the staff.

4. Due to technology restraints, one-day pass users that are 17 years old or younger may be required to use the computers in the Youth Services Area.

* Computer area use and filtering are controlled by the PC Management System, which utilizes the age indicated in the computer record of the card holder to control usage.   Staff may request proof of age or check card holder information for age verification purposes.  Access to computers in the adult services area to youths under 13 years of age may be restricted unless the youth is accompanied by a parent/legal guardian who remains in direct supervision and uses the same computer as the child.

12.            Printing

Printing is available for a nominal fee and a fee schedule is posted. It is the user’s responsibility to print only the pages that they want.  The number of pages to be printed and the expected payment amount are displayed on the monitor at the Print Release Station and users are expected to pay for all pages that are printed.**

 

**Use the print preview function on the file menu to see the actual document layout and the number of pages that will be printed.  If you have any questions, see a library staff member prior to printing.

Updated January 26, 2006
Updated April 19, 2007
Updated June 18, 2009

 

Harper Woods Code Ordinance

Division 5.  City Library

 Sec. 2-231.  City library; free use, regulations.

             The Harper Woods Public Library shall be forever free to the use of the residents of the City of Harper Woods, always subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the library board may adopt.  The board may exclude from use of said library and reading room, any and all persons who shall willfully violate such rules.

(Code 1962, §2-318; Ord. No. 324, §6, 7-19-82)

 

Electronic Information Mission Statement

The Harper Woods Public Library purchases computers and other data systems for the staff to maintain library records.  The purchases are funded through the library’s general millage and computers are replaced on a periodic basis in order to keep up with technological requirements. In addition, the library buys computers and online sources for its residents to use as part of its commitment to “Help the citizens of Harper Woods succeed and flourish.” 

 

Persons who are not residents of the city (or residents of an area that has a mutual service agreement with the library) may purchase a Computer-Use Card or a One-Day Computer Pass for a nominal fee.


Michigan Compiled Laws Regarding Internet Access


397.606 Restriction of Internet access to minors; immunity from liability; exceptions.  

Sec. 6. 

(1) If a library offers use of the Internet or a computer, computer program, computer network, or computer system to the public, the governing body of that library shall adopt and require enforcement of a policy that restricts access to minors by providing the use of the Internet or a computer, computer program, computer network, or computer system in 1 of the following ways:  

(a)    Both of the following: 

(i) By making available, to individuals of any age, 1 or more terminals that are restricted from receiving obscene matter or sexually explicit matter that is harmful to minors.  

 (ii) By reserving, to individuals 18 years of age or older or minors who are accompanied by their parent or guardian, 1 or more terminals that are not restricted from receiving any material.  

 (b) By utilizing a system or method that is designed to prevent a minor from viewing obscene      matter or sexually explicit matter that is harmful to minors.  

(2) A governing body of a library, member of a governing body of a library, library, or an agent or employee of a governing body of a library or library, is immune from liability in a civil action as provided in section 7 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 691.1407.  

(3) This section does not apply to a library established by a community college district, a college or university, or a private library open to the public.

 

History: Add. 1999, Act 37, Eff. Aug. 1, 1999; --Am. 2000, Act 212, Eff. Oct. 1, 2000