All computer users must sign an "Internet and Computer User Agreement." A parent or guardian must cosign for anyone under the age of 17. When signing the "Internet and Computer User Agreement," the user must present a valid form of identification, such as a library card or driver's license, showing the user's name and address.

The computer user agrees to take proper care of all equipment, diskettes, manuals, and other property of the Garden City Public Library. The user will immediately report any problem with equipment or materials to the librarian at the Reference Desk.

User agrees to pay replacement cost of any equipment or materials lost or damaged as a result of the carelessness, malicious intent, or failure to inform library employees of malfunctions.

User agrees to observe all copyright laws. User will not duplicate any computer programs or documentation except those in the public domain.

The Garden City Public Library makes no guarantees, either express or implied, with respect to any equipment, programs, or other library materials, or their quality, performance, or fitness for any particular purpose. All materials and equipment are of a "demonstration" nature and are given for use "as is." The entire risk as to the quality and performance of computer hardware, software, and documentation is with the user. In no event shall the library be liable for actual, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with or arising from use of any equipment, programs, or other library materials.

All users will supply their own data diskettes. Any data lost as a result of faulty media, programs, human error, or equipment malfunction is not the responsibility of the Garden City Public Library or its employees. No private files may be stored at the library or on library media.

Users are expected to be conversant in the use of computers and the Internet. The Library regrets that staff cannot provide instruction and are limited to assisting with correcting mechanical malfunctions. Patrons needng instruction in the use of computers and the Internet should consult the many guidebooks in the Library's book collection. Staff are not responsible for loss of data, whether through accident or ignorance, resulting from the user's request for help.

One person is permitted to use the computer at a time; one helper or observer may also be seated at the workstation. Groups of bystanders will be told to disperse. No one who does not have a signed "Internet and Computer User Agreement" on file with the Library may touch the equipment. Any boisterous, unruly, or inappropriate behavior will result in the immediate forfeiture of further use of the computer and may also result in ejection from the library.

The user may operate only one computer at a time, and it must be the one for which the user has signed the schedule book.

Rules regarding computer time are as follows:

a) Preference is given to residents of the Incorporated Village of Garden City. Although nonresidents may sign up for computer time, if a Garden City patron wants to use a computer that is in use by a nonresident, the nonresident has five minutes to save his or her work to a diskette and vacate that workstation. The nonresident may sign up for another computer if one is available. Residency will be determined by the user's possession of valid identification, such as a library card or driver's license.

b) If you are waiting for a computer that is presently in use, you may sign up for the next available hour when you arrive. You must be present and be a resident of the Incorporated Village of Garden City to make this reservation; it cannot be made over the telephone. If you are more than five minutes late in claiming the computer, the reservation is forfeited. If the current user leaves more than fifteen minutes early, your hour (or half hour, if that is all you are signing for) begins at the previous half hour mark. The book must be adjusted accordingly.

c) If you are not present when the current user leaves and someone else wants the machine, that person may, at the librarian's discretion, be given the time remaining until your reservation begins.

d) You may not make use of this reservation procedure if you are not a resident of Garden City or if you are currently using any machine. You may not reserve a machine that is busy while working on another, nor is it permissible to reserve the next hour on a computer that you are currently using.

e) When you sign up for an hour (or a half hour), it is figured to the nearest fifteen minutes. In other words, if you start at 2:14, your hour is judged to have started at 2:00. If you start at 2:15, you may sign in at 2:30 and start immediately, assuming the machine is free. The official timepiece is the clock facing the Reference Desk.

f) You must wait until you have completed your hour before you may sign up for the next one and then only if no one else needs the machine.

g) When your time is up, you have a maximum of five minutes to save your work to a diskette, collect your belongings, and vacate the seat. Do not start a print-out that will take longer than that or we may have to interrupt it.

h) In the event of malfunction, time lost will not be added to the current user's time.

i) Staff who are using public-access computers on library time for reasons other than teaching or system maintenance will yield to patrons as soon as possible without endangering the library's data.

j) All patrons must vacate the Personal Computing and Typing Room by five minutes to closing.

a) Library will supply five free sheets of paper per patron per day; additional sheets may be purchased for $.05 each at the Circulation Desk. Patrons may supply their own paper.

b) A maximum of 25 copies per day may be made using the Library's printers, regardless of whose paper is used. This limit will be strictly enforced, and violators will be barred from further use of the Library's printers.

c) Print-outs may not continue beyond the user's allotted time on the computer.

d) All print-outs must end at 15 minutes to closing.

Use of the computer by patrons either per week or per month is not guaranteed. Time allotted is based as fairly as possible according to the "Internet and Computer User Agreement." Users who are not residents of the Incorporated Village of Garden City must yield the computer to a resident within five minutes of request. From time to time, such events as seminars, classes, lectures, and the like shall take precedence over normal computer use. All decisions as to the use of the computer hardware and software are at the sole discretion of the librarian in charge. In all cases, including exceptions to the above rules, the decision of the librarian will be final. Failure to abide by the decision will result in the possibility of legal liability being incurred by the computer user.

The user acknowledges that he/she has read and understood these rules and will abide by them. Failure to observe any part of the "Internet and Computer User Agreement" may result in a suspension of the user's right to use the computer. Other usual and ordinary sanctions may also apply.