The mission of the Bryant Library shall be to provide our community with access to ideas and to promote lifelong reading for pleasure and for knowledge by providing classic and popular literature in a variety of formats. The Library is committed to providing materials and services sufficient to meet the personal, educational, and professional needs of community residents of all ages.                      
                              
In keeping with its mission and with advances in information technology, the Bryant Library provides users with access to the Internet. The following policies apply to use of the Library’s public access computers.  Such access includes the use of SAM (Smart Access Manager), a computer reservation system.

Rules Governing Use
Access to the Bryant Library’s public access computers extends to all patrons.  However, preference will be given to Bryant cardholders.

Bryant Library patrons may pre-register in person or by phone for the “Access for All Computer” or for the “Word Processing Computer” in the Adult Department.  Advance reservations will not be accepted for non-residents. Rules and regulations regarding time limits and availability for all library computers are set by the Director.  Our librarians can assist in the initial start-up of SAM but staff cannot provide extended instruction. The Library offers classes on using the Internet, email and other computer applications to enhance patrons’ computer skills.  

Acceptable Use
Patrons must be familiar with the software applications that they are using.  The public computers may be used to access the Internet, word processing, resume writing, spreadsheets, and other software programs. 

State & Federal Laws
The Bryant Library offers the use of Public Access Computers in the Adult and Children’s Departments.  Users are subject to all state and federal laws and must comply with all U.S. Copyright regulations. It is illegal in New York State to display pornographic images or obscene materials in the Library, or to disseminate such materials to minors through computer communication systems.

Access by Minors
Parents or legal guardians are responsible for deciding what library resources are suitable for their own children. Parents or legal guardians are expected to guide their children in appropriate use of the Internet.

• Children in sixth grade or higher may use computers in the Adult Department independently.
• Children in the fifth grade or lower must be accompanied and supervised by an adult in order to use the computers in the Adult Department.

Parental consent is required for children up to and including fifth grade prior to their initial use of computers in the Children's Department.  Consent forms are available at the Circulation Desk and must be completed prior to use.

Public Users’ Security
Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users’ activities.  The Bryant Library will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law and/or as necessary for the proper operation of the Library.

Use of the Library’s computer systems does not provide the user with any expectation of privacy. The information on these systems may be monitored at any time and may be disclosed by authorized personnel as required by law and/or as necessary to ensure the proper operation of the Library. 

Compliance
First time users of SAM (Smart Access Manager) must agree to abide by the Bryant Library’s Public Computer/Internet Access Acceptable Use Policy. The Library reserves the right to take appropriate action to insure compliance with this policy.  In case of a violation of the policy, the reference librarian will evaluate all reports of inappropriate or illegal use and will submit a report to the Director. The report shall include the patron’s name, date and time of incident, and a description of the offense.           

Failure to observe the above guidelines will result in suspension or termination of computer and Internet access privileges, and will subject the user to legal action.  The Library also reserves the right to terminate the library privileges of anyone who tampers with or intentionally damages the equipment or software programs.

Disclaimers
While the Library endeavors to provide access to information of the highest quality, it does not endorse or sanction the content or point of view of any information or commentary found on the Internet. The Library specifically disclaims any warranties as to the information's accuracy, timeliness, authoritativeness, usefulness or fitness for a particular purpose.

Users who enter a fee-based Internet service are responsible for any charges incurred. The Library assumes no responsibility for any damage which may occur as a result of the use of this system.  This may include, but is not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays, non deliveries, or service interruptions, as well as damages resulting from unintended transfers or disclosures of user file information. Use of any information is obtained at the user’s own risk.

Users of the Internet in the library agree to release, indemnify, and hold the library harmless, in advance, from any and all damages, direct or indirect.

Adopted by The Bryant Library Board of Trustees 5/21/07