INTERNET USE POLICY/DISCLAIMER

Adopted 1/19/05
Amended 9/17/08
Amended 2/11/09

In accordance with its mission as an educational institution serving the needs of all of the residents of the Baldwin Union Free School District, the Baldwin Public Library seeks to provide users with access to the Internet. The Internet is a global electronic network with no state/county/local control of its users or its contents. Because of the rapidly changing and often unpredictable nature of this network, Library staff cannot control or be responsible either for the choice of sites visited by individual patrons or for the contents of those sites. Therefore, the Baldwin Public Library does not guarantee the accuracy of information obtained through the Internet.

The Baldwin Public Library does not require parental permission for minors to access the Internet on Library computers. The Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed on the Internet. Restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. Parents, guardians or care-givers are encouraged to actively participate with their children when using the Internet or other electronic resources, and to provide guidance for their usage. Parents or guardians who do not wish their children to have access to the Internet on Library computers must submit their request in writing to the Library Director.

Internet workstations cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activities prohibited under any applicable federal, state, or local laws. Internet workstations may not be used for pornography or gambling.

The Baldwin Public Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, loss of data, or loss of privacy, arising from use of its Internet services. Downloads from the Internet may not be saved to the hard drive, but may be saved to your own floppy disk, CD or flashdrive at your own risk or e-mailed to your personal account. Software or information downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus and users are advised to utilize virus-checking software on their personal computer.

Computer sessions are timed and printing charges apply.

If patrons enter a fee-based service, any charges incurred are their responsibility.

Users are subject to all state and federal laws and must comply with all U.S. copyright regulations.

Failure to comply with the above guidelines will result in termination of Internet access privileges.

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COMPUTER USE PROCEDURE

1. Any New York State resident may register to use the Baldwin Public Library computer workstations. The person must show a valid I.D. with current address (NYS driver's license, college ID, etc.) to initially sign-up for computer privileges. *

2. To initiate each computer session, all users must read and accept "Baldwin Public Library Computer Use Disclaimer," (part of the sign-in process on the computer screen) adopted by the Board of Trustees on February 11, 2009.

3. There are separate public computer workstations for adults, teens and children. The user agrees to take proper care of all computer equipment and property. Preference in the use of the system may be given to residents of the Baldwin Union Free School District. The Library reserves the right to restrict the time that any one user may gain access to the system, and to place other reasonable restrictions if the need arises.

-- In the Children's Department, Early Childhood Learning computer stations for use by children age 2 to Kindergarten. Computers with games are available for children age 3 to Grade 6. Workstations with word processing are for use by children in Grades 2-6. The Internet workstations in the Children's wing are exclusively for the use of children in Grades 3-6. Children must show either their ID (library card or school pass) or their parent's ID (when child's parent is present).

--There is a computer in the Children's Department that is for parent's use only (see Parent Computer Procedure below).

--The computers in the Teen Zone are exclusively for use by youth in
Grades 7 -12.

4. Adult and teen computer workstations are available on a "first come, first served" basis for adult patrons and minors in seventh grade and up. To improve access to the Library's public computer terminals for Internet and word processing, software called "SAM" has been installed in the Adult Services Computer Room, Teen Zone and in the Children's Room, including the Parent Computer. SAM tracks computer session time and printing activity. SAM allows a user to log on to the Library's public computers with a library card from any Nassau County public library. The user will be asked to create a PIN number, which will become part of their personal account number along with the library card barcode. If a person does not have a library card, the Library staff can issue a guest pass.

5. Any Nassau County library cardholder can have up to two one-hour computer sessions per day. A guest pass user is allowed up to one one-hour session per day. Guest passes allow only one login, so the one-hour computer session may not be broken up into several short sessions.

6. Printing charges are 10 cents a page for black and white and 25 cents for color. SAM requires prepayment of printing charges by allowing a user to add money to their SAM account at the Adult Computer Room or the Department's Reference Desk. Charges are automatically deducted from the SAM account.

7. If all of the Adult or Teen computers are in use, SAM allows the user to place his/her name on the wait list at a computer terminal located outside the respective area.

8. Users may not download to the hard drive. A user may save documents to a floppy disk, CD or flashdrive or may e-mail documents to a personal e-mail account to save printing charges. The Library is not responsible for the loss of any data.

9. Users must comply with all U.S. copyright regulations.

10. Children's Room computer workstations may be reserved by appointment. The Children's workstations are also available on a "first come, first served" basis.

11. All workstations are limited to one user at a time.

12. All workstations are available up until 15 minutes before closing time.

13. E-mail can be sent and received on Adult, Teen and Parent Computer workstations.

14. ALIS (Automated Library Information System) is the Library's Internet Service Provider (proprietary), Internet Explorer is the browser and the Library's home page is the start-up page on the Library's computers. None of these selections are to be changed.

15. The automated SAM system gives users four warnings before logging the user off.

16. Misuse of the computers or Internet access will result in the loss of your computer privileges. ***

17. Librarians and staff can assist users in the initial start-up of the system. However, staff cannot provide extended instruction. Books and other instructional materials may be found in the collection (see Reference Desk for assistance in finding materials). Internet tutorials are available via the Library's home page.

* Valid I.D. shall consist of documents of the same nature as would be required of a Baldwin resident applying for a new library card, i.e. driver's license, social services I.D., college I.D., etc.

** The Library reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.

*** Appeals by Library patrons relating to suspension of computer privileges shall be made to the Board of Trustees in writing within 30 days of such suspension. The Board or its designees shall convene a hearing within 10 days of submission of such appeal. Within 15 days, the Board of Trustees shall render a decision in writing and explain the reasons for its actions. The decision of the Board will be final.

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BALDWIN PUBLIC LIBRARY PARENT COMPUTER PROCEDURE
Adopted March 2007
Amended April 4, 2008
Amended June 18, 2008
Amended September 17, 2008

In addition to adhering to the Baldwin Public Library's Computer Use Procedures and Policy, the following are additional guidelines for using the Parent computer in the Children's Department:

The Parent computer in the Children's Department is reserved for a parent accompanied by a child, which would prohibit the parent from using the Adult Computer Room. The parent is still responsible for the behavior and safety of the child in the Children's Room.

Please note: the Parent computer has the same policies as the Adult Computer Room:

--The Parent workstation is limited to one user at a time.

--Children are prohibited from using the Parent computer. Children should make use of age appropriate computers, either in the Children's or Adult Departments.

--SAM allows a user to log on to the Library's public computers with a library card from any Nassau County public library. If a person does not have a library card, the Library staff can issue a guest pass.

--To improve access to the Library's public computer, software called "SAM" has been installed on the Children's Department Parent Computer. The automated system allows users with a library card from any Nassau County library to log on to the Library's computer. The user will be asked to create a PIN number, which will become part of their personal account number along with the library card barcode. Library cardholders are entitled to a one-hour computer session. If no one is waiting, the user may continue for a second hour for a maximum of two hours per day. Non-library cardholders can be issued a guest pass, which allows up to a maximum of one one-hour session per day. Guest passes allow only one login so a one-hour computer session may not be broken up into several short sessions.

--The automated system gives users four warnings before logging the user off.

--The workstation is available up until 15 minutes before closing time.

--E-mail can be sent and received on the Parent workstation.

--Printing charges are 10 cents a page for black and white and 25 cents for color.

--Patrons may save documents to a floppy disc, CD or flashdrive, or e-mail documents to their personal email account.

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BALDWIN PUBLIC LIBRARY YOUNG ADULT COMPUTER POLICY
Adopted December 10, 2008

The computers in the Teen Zone are reserved solely for use by students in grades 7 through 12. These students may not use the Adult Computer Room and adults or children may not use the computers in the Teen Zone.

Students must show ID before using a computer, either school ID or a library card.

In addition to adhering to the Baldwin Public Library's Computer Use Procedures and Policy, the following are additional guidelines for using the Young Adult computers.

--There will be zero tolerance for rudeness to the staff or other students.

--Texting on cell phones is permitted in the Teen Zone. To speak on a cell phone, use the patio vestibule or booksale area only. (If a person on a computer needs to use his/her cell phone, the computer can be temporarily locked. The person should leave the Teen Zone and use the phone in the patio vestibule.)

--The workstations are limited to one user at a time.

--To improve access to the Library's public computers, software called "SAM" has been installed on the Young Adult Computers. The automated system allows users with a library card from any Nassau County library to log onto the Library's computer. Users will be asked to create a password (should use a word/number familiar to them), which will become part of their personal account number along with the library card barcode. Library cardholders are entitled to two one-hour computer sessions. If no one is waiting, the user may continue for a second hour for a maximum of two hours per day. Non-library cardholders can be issued a guest pass by Library staff, which allows up to a maximum of one one-hour session per day. Guest passes allow only one login so a one-hour computer session may not be broken up into several short sessions.

--If all computers are in use, there is a sign-up station outside the Teen Zone. Teens are requested to wait outside the Teen Zone if the area is crowded (defer to judgment of the Library staff).

--The automated system gives users four warnings before logging the user off. Documents cannot be saved to the hard drive. Patrons must save work to a flashdrive or e-mail documents to their personal e-mail account before computer session ends or work will be automatically deleted.

--Flashdrives (1GB), CDs and floppy disks are available at the Circulation Desk for purchase.

--Printing charges are 10 cents a page for black and white copies. Color copies are 25 cents a page and must be printed by staff in the Adult Computer Room. SAM requires advance payment on patron's account; money must be given to Library staff who will record the payment.

--The workstations are available up until 15 minutes before closing time.

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Last updated: 5/13/09
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