PLAINEDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

WIRELESS ACCESS POINT USAGE POLICY.

 

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, December 18, 2002

 

As a service to our patrons, wireless Internet access is available within the Library.  The Plainedge Public Library’s wireless network is a resource shared by both patrons and staff.  Patrons who use the wireless Internet access are expected to use it wisely and in accordance with the Library’s general Internet access policy.  Wireless network Internet users must also adhere to the following rules.

 

- Network resources must be used in a responsible manner. Patrons are prohibited from forwarding junk e-mail, sending spam, or broadcasting messages using the Library’s wireless network. 

 

-  Individual Internet resources are not the responsibility of the

   Library.If a particular website or Internet link does not operate

   correctly, it is the responsibility of the user to contact the

   maintenance of that website.                         

 

- The general content of the Internet is not created or regulated           

   by the Library. There may be objectionable material available

   through the wireless network via the Internet connection.

   Such material should be handled with caution and in an

   appropriate manner.

 

-  Users of the wireless network must remember that due to the

   openness of a public wireless network, personal information,

   credit card numbers. or financial information may not be

    adequately protected.

 

   Users must have a wireless Internet ready device in order to

             use the  Library’s wireless network.

 

         - Before using the wireless network, patrons must register

  to obtain a wireless access card.

 

- The MAC address is required for the use of the Library’s                wireless network.  Users are responsible to protect their MAC      address and wireless access cards from unauthorized use. To prevent this, users should keep an eye on their property at all times, passwords should not be printed, stored on-line, or given to others.  Users will be held responsible for all operations that take place under their user account.

 

Users are not allowed for any purpose to obtain and/or use any login account that is not their own.  Users must obtain permission from the owner of any file before viewing or altering its contents.

 

            Users may not attempt to probe, scan, or test the vulnerabil-

             ity of any Plainedge Public Library system or network, or  

             breach security or authentication measures, which include

    attempting to obtain and/or distribute encryption keys used

    at Plainedge Public Library.        

 

Users are not allowed to set up any form of proxy service              or other such arrangement to enable more than one computer to access the network via a wireless connection;           each user is limited to one connection per access card.  In

addition, users are not allowed to set up any type of server service, server operating system or any other server device or software that opens a channel or port for two-way communications.  This includes, but is not limited to, the following services: Web servers, File servers, Game servers, Chat servers, Email servers, Name/Address/Configuration servers.

 

 

 

         

         

         

         

 

In addition, the following services are allowed only with specific permission from the Plainedge Public Library Network Administrator;

 

          -  Any type of Domain

          -  Any Workgroup

 

Users are not allowed to make or obtain copies of software or other restricted intellectual properties (i.e. music .mp3’s, videos, etc.) using the Plainedge Public Library’s network.  All users must abide by intellectual property laws, including copyright laws and software contracts.  Users of the network may not copy, store, display, or distribute copyrighted material or proprietary data that has not been placed in the public domain, or distributed as freeware, without the express permission of the copyright owner.  Computer Services staff will periodically remove all music, video, and other multimedia files from the users’ common and personal storage spaces on the network if such space exists.

 

Users may not use Plainedge Public Library’s computer resources for commercial purposes, except for incidental work such as posting a resume, mentioning consulting services in a web page, or communicating with an employer via email.  Users may not use PLAINEDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY-owned resources for commercial development of programs, data processing or computation, or preparation and presentation of advertising material (this does not apply to personally-owned computers that are connected to the wireless network).

 

Users must remember that the network is a shared resource and that many people must use it for their daily work.  Consuming large amounts of system resources (network bandwidth, disk space, print queues) by performing large file downloads or networked gaming can obstruct this work.  In such cases,  the Computer Network

Administator reserves the authority to throttle bandwidth and/or terminate connections that monopolize resources.

 

Users will be held responsible for any action using the network that is chargeable as a violation of local, state or federal law, whether or not charges are brought by civil authorities.

 

Email/Messaging

 

In order to maintain efficient communication and to conserve network resources, SPAM, chain letters, and other unwelcome messages, whether sent to addresses within the network or across the Internet, are prohibited.  Users may not send unsolicited messages to multiple users without approval by the Library’s Computer Network Administrator. Users may not send messages with forged headers; and all messages must accurately show from where and whom the message originated.

 

The Library computer technician reserves the right to filter, refuse, or discard mail from outside hosts that send unsolicited, mass, or commercial messages, or messages that appear to contain viruses.

 

Users are prohibited from sending material that is obscene, defamatory, or with intent to annoy, harass, or alarm.

 

Printing

 

Plainedge Public Library does not have a printer for the sole use of the network.  Because of this, at this point in time, there is no option to print to a remote printer at the Plainedge Public Library.   If this feature comes available in the future, we will inform the public.

 

Lost or Stolen Hardware.  (Including release of MAC address to unwarranted parties)

 

Please report an lost or stolen wireless network cards to the library computer administrator.  Your wireless network hardware has a MAC address (think of it as a unique ID) attached to your name.  So it is in your best interest to report the missing wireless network hardware to the library computer administrator to prevent any misuse under your name.  If we discover the missing item was due to negligence or fraudulent reasons or any other violations of the above stated policies, the user will be subject to one or more of the following disciplinary actions :

 

Policy Violations

 

Users who violate the above stated policies or applicable federal, state or local laws will be subject to one or more of the following disciplinary actions:

 

1.  Users may receive a written notice and warning about    violation.

 

2.  The user’s network connection may be immediately terminated.

 

3.  Network access may be suspended until the situation is rectified.

 

4.  Network access may be suspended for a specified period of time.

 

5.  Replacement/repair costs for damage to the PLAINEDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY-owned property will be charged to the responsible user’s account.

 

6.  Violations may be reported to the appropriate authorities which may result in further, more serious penalties.