SERVICES
Purpose:
Internet access at the Lincoln Public Library enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection thus extending the Library's commitment to meeting the community's information needs.
Disclaimers:
Internet access is an institutional tool provided by the Lincoln Public Library, and is a privilege which may be taken away. The Library reserves the right to access site histories and to deny a patron the privilege of Internet access if his or her use of the Internet is in violation of state or federal law, or this policy, or any other applicable rules or regulations.
The Library is not responsible for the content, accuracy or availability of information on the Internet. Information found on the Internet may be out of date, inaccurate, unreliable or incomplete. Patrons need to exercise judgment and discretion in the use of information received from the Internet. The Library board and its employees assume no responsibility for damages of any type arising from the use of any information, software or data obtained from the Internet.
The Library board and its employees are not responsible for damages to patron owned equipment including laptops and PDA devices using the Library's internet connection. This includes but not limited to, damage caused by configuration changes, viruses, spyware or other malicious code received via the Library's internet connection. The Library is not responsible for insuring the privacy of any information on a patron's electronic device or data set or received while using the Library's Internet connection.
Terms of use:
- A parent or guardian must accompany children under the age of eight (8) while using the Internet.
- The time limit for any Internet session is 30 minutes if other patrons are waiting. Patrons must close their work and leave the computer workstation when requested by staff.
- Patrons are not permitted to physically connect their laptops and PDA devices to the Library's local area network. Instead, patrons may use the Library's wireless Internet connection to access the Internet from their laptops and PDA devices.
- The Library reserves the right to limit the number of people at each workstation. This is usually limited to two patrons at a workstation at each time.
Prohibited Conduct:
- Patrons may not use the Library's Internet workstations or connection to display or to transmit threatening or harassing material or engage in any activity that is deliberately offensive or creates an intimidating or hostile environment. Loud or disruptive behavior is prohibited.
- Hacking (purposely violating computer or network security) or the dissemination of viruses,harmful computer code, hoaxes, or deceptions is prohibited. The proper authorities will be notified of any violations.
- Patrons may not damage,alter, or degrade computer equipment, peripherals, software, or operation configurations. Installation of software applications or directly access or altering computer hard drive files is not permitted. Patrons may not shut down computer workstations.
- Patrons may not access,display, distribute, or print images or graphics of obscene or pornographic materials or material that violates laws relating to child pornography (including but not limited to Mass.GL c. 272, §29A,§29B,§29C), or laws relating to possession and/or distribution of obscene material or material "harmful to minors" using the Internet connection. For purposes of this policy, a matter is defined as "obscene" and/or "harmful to minors" in accordance with Mass. G.L.c. 272 §31.
- The use of telnet, FTP, chat and instant messaging protocols are not allowed at the library, Internet workstations or through the Library's Internet connection.
Filtering:
The Lincoln Public Library reserves the right to filter our any Internet site or sites that violate this agreement or causes Library computers or the Internet connection to malfunction.
Downloading is available only to floppy disks or USB portable storage devices (thumb drives). There is a charge for printed copies. Patrons are responsible for paying for everything they print. Fees cover ink and paper costs, therefore "mistakes" are included in printing charges.
Use of the Internet by Children:
Librarians do not serve in the place of parents and cannot act in place of parents in providing supervision of children as they explore the Internet. The responsibility for what minor children read or view on the Internet rests with parents or guardians. The Library reserves the right to restrict Internet use by children to the Internet workstations located in the Children's Department and designated workstations. The library reserves the right to restrict Internet use by teenagers to the Internet workstations in the Children's Department at the Library. The terms of this Policy apply to use of the Internet at workstations located in ally departments.
Violations:
The Library staff reserves the right to terminate any Internet session at any time. Patrons violating this Internet policy may lose their Internet privileges and/or Library privileges, as appropriate.
Staff Assistance:
Library staff can offer basic instruction as time permits on how to navigate the Internet and use email. However, the time available for instruction may be limited as a result of other staff responsibilities, and patrons must be willing to explore and search the Internet on their own. If you encounter any problems, or if you observe that another patron is engaged in conduct in violation of this Policy, please let us know.
Close of Day:
The Library staff closes down Internet workstations and the wireless Internet connection ten (10) minutes before the Library closes.
Approved by the Trustees on September 13, 2005
Revised by the Trustees on January 27, 2009
Approved by the Library staff and Lincoln Police Department on September 7, 2005
Approved by Lincoln's Town Counsel on August 24, 2005
3 Bedford Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
Phone: 781-259-8465
Fax: 781-259-1056