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

Original Policy Adopted by Library Board May 16, 2002

Updated January 26, 2006

 

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Computer Use Procedures

  1. Computer users must possess a valid library (or $2.00 non-resident computer use) card and 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.  Card holders must bring in the card; per policy, account numbers are not looked up and access may be denied.
  2. Internet access is available on designated computers only. The library reserves the right to limit or terminate patron computer sessions on non-designated computers.
  3. Users are allowed up to 2 one-hour sessions per day; extra time may be granted solely at the discretion of the library staff.  Access is available daily until 15 minutes prior to closing time; technical concerns may limit availability.
  4. Time is allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, but reservations may be made during peak usage times in person at the adult services reference desk.  During peak times, reservations are given priority over requests for a 2nd computer session.
  5. Filtering & Computer Area Restrictions:

a.       Unfiltered Internet sessions, adult services: Unfiltered computers for Internet, research purposes and word processing, etc. are available to patrons 18 years of age or older.* 

b.      Filtered Internet sessions, adult services:  Patrons 13 years of age or older may use the adult services computers for Internet, research purposes and word processing, etc. on filtered sessions.  Filtering is based on the age indicated in the computer record of the card holder and is managed by the PC Management System.*

c.       Filtered computers, youth services (12 Years and Under): All access to the Internet on youth services computers is filtered.

Patrons wishing to use computer discs or 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 as a general guideline to determine content that is suitable for
ages 12 and under.

*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 accompanied by a parent/legal guardian. Individuals misrepresenting themselves and using another cardholder’s information may have their Internet use privileges suspended.

  1. Printing
    1. Printing is available for a nominal fee.  Users are expected to pay for all pages printed; it is the user’s responsibility to print only the pages desired.**
    2. Jobs must be validated at the Print Station before they will be released for printing.  Print Stations are located next to Pac 1 on each floor.  A fee is posted prior to the release of the print jobs.
    3. Jobs printed in adult services may be picked up and paid for at the main floor circulation desk; jobs printed in children’s services on the lower level are available for payment and pickup at the children’s reference desk.

**Note:  Use the “print preview” function on the file menu to see the actual document layout and 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

 
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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)

 

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Electronic Information Mission Statement

 

The Harper Woods Public Library purchases computers for staff maintenance of library records and reference assistance to patrons.

 

In addition, computers and information databases are purchased for patron use as part of the library’s commitment to provide for the community’s information needs.  The computers for patrons offer: 

 

1)      Electronic access to the library’s catalog

2)      Electronic access to online educational information

3)      The use of word processing, Excel and publishing programs

4)      Limited Internet access at designated workstations 

 

As such, the library is committed to providing the best possible computer service to its patrons and shall update its hardware, software and the quantity of computers to the fullest extent within its budget.

 

 Adopted by Library Board May 16, 2002

 

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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