SPIRIT LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY COMPUTER/INTERNET USE

HOURS AVAILABLE

Internet computers will be available, subject to periodic maintenance, at the following times:

10 am to 6:45 pm Monday through Thursday

10 am to 4:45 pm on Friday

10 am to 2:45 on Saturday

The Spirit Lake Library reserves the right to modify the times of use in order to perform necessary maintenance and / or upgrades.

GUIDELINES

1.     Library staff will do start-up procedure and shut-down.

2.     Only ONE person may use the station at a time.  Exceptions only with permission of librarian on duty.

3.     Use is limited to one hour at a time if others are waiting.

4.     Minimum age is 10 years old, without exception. (Youth ages 10-17 must have a signed permission slip on file. Slips may be found at the front desk, downloaded here, or along the left navigation of this page)

5.     Must sign in and out at the circulation desk.

6.     Provide your own headphones if you wish to use audio.  You may also choose to purchase ear buds at the circulation desk for $1.  No audio use without headphones or ear buds for the courtesy of others in the lab.

7.     No cell phone use in computer lab.

8.     No downloading or installation of software or files is allowed.

9.     No food or drink allowed in computer room.

10.    Printing costs 15 cents per sheet.  Printer is a network printer and is located at the circulation desk so you may pick up your sheets at the circulation desk. You are responsible to pay for what you print.

11.    Misuse of equipment or violation of this policy will result in loss of privileges.

MORAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES

The Spirit Lake Public Library encourages you to use the Internet as a valuable educational tool, however, we cannot condone the access of material that may be considered inappropriate.  We do not block materials that are unacceptable, but it should be clearly understood that access to such material in any form is forbidden.  Although the actual percentage of unacceptable material is small, it can be a cause of concern if the user stumbles onto such information while doing legitimate research.  The library staff will be glad to answer any questions or concerns regarding information you find.

EXPECTATIONS

You are expected to use the Internet to pursue intellectual activities, see resources, and access information.  Users should be aware that the inappropriate use of electronic information resources can be a violation of local, state, and federal laws and can lead to prosecution.  The user will be held responsible for his / her actions using the Internet.  Users are expected to abide by the policies which include generally accepted rules of network etiquette.  Unacceptable uses of the service will result in the suspension or revocation of Internet use privileges.

CAUTION

The Internet is a decentralized, unmoderated global network; the Spirit Lake Public Library has no control over the content found there.  The library will not censor access to material nor protect users from offensive information, and it is not responsible for the availability and accuracy of information found on the Internet.

It is our policy to comply fully with U.S. copyright law and other federal and state relating to the use of the Internet, which are posted, for your information, near the computers.

The user may not always be able to access places on the Internet as desired.  There are several reasons for this, including:  so many Internet users and the host computer has limited access; the resource is licensed to a particular institution; the host computer has changed its address or closed down; or the library’s Internet connection may be periodically and temporarily inoperable due to technical difficulties.

LEGAL ISSUES
Iowa passed a computer crime statute in 1984.  This covers unauthorized access, computer damage, and computer theft.  Penalties include fines up to $10,000 and / or confinement for no more than 10 years.

VIOLATIONS

The Library has the right to terminate Internet access at any time for any reason.  The Library further has the right to monitor Internet activity in any form that it sees fit.  The Spirit Lake Public Library declares unethical and unacceptable behavior just cause for taking disciplinary action when an individual:

• Uses the Internet for illegal or inappropriate purposes, or in support of such activities.  Illegal activities shall be defined as a violation of local, state,
• and/or federal laws.  Inappropriate use shall be defined as a violation of the intended use of the network, and/or purpose and goal.  Obscene activities shall be defined as a violation of generally accepted social standards for use of publicly owned and operated communication vehicle.
• Steals equipment.
• Gains or seeks to gain unauthorized access to resources or entities.
• Posts anonymous messages.
• Is uncooperative with staff about time limits and guidelines

CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATIONS

Suspension of Internet and computer access for one year.

12/5/2000

3/03/2003

9/10/2007

8/3/2009

9/14/2009

4/5/2010

5/3/2010