1. Patrons wishing to use a computer must sign in at the desk recording their name and the time of the start of their session.  Computers will not be reserved and will be available on a first come first served basis.  Youth under the age of nineteen (18) years of age will be required to have a signed parental/guardian approval from on file at the Library before they will be allowed access to the Internet

2. Children under the age of seven (7) must use the computers with an adult.

3. Users must abide by copyright, contract and other local, state and federal laws.

4. Intentional use of the Internet to access, transmit or process obscene, adult, minor, racial or sexually harassing material is prohibited.

5. Users are prohibited from installing, downloading or deleting any software on library computers.  Any patron access to restricted areas of the library computers’ hard drives is strictly forbidden and could result in legal action.  The user may only download to a disc.  Discs are available at the front desk.  These disks can be stored at the library for future usage by the patron.  No disks of any kind are permitted to be brought into the library to use in the computer because of the danger of contamination of virus’s that may not be detected by the computer virus scanner.

6. Appropriate library behavior must be maintained while on or around the computers.  This includes behavior such as; keeping voices down, staying at one computer during your scheduled time and relinquishing computers promptly when asked. The Library reserves the right to terminate any Internet session that disrupts library services or that involves user behavior that violates the Library’s policies.

7. Users are prohibited from tampering with any library computer equipment, including, printers, mice and headphones.  If the equipment is not operating properly, ask for help from the library staff.  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON YOUR OWN.

8. Prompt payment is required by users who incur charges for printing or other authorized fees.  The first five (5) pages printed are free; each additional page is 10 cents per sheet.  Color copies may be made for 50 cents per sheet, $1.00 per sheet if on the Library’s photo paper.

9. Time limits.  Initial use on the Internet/word processing stations is one (1) hour per day and will be on a first come, first served basis.  Additional use will be allowed based on availability if no one is waiting. However, if the user is involved in a class or individual instruction or needs a few more minutes to finish a project and no one else is waiting to use the computer, the patron can continue to use it at the discretion of the librarian.

10. Fines.  All fines must be paid before computer use will be allowed.

11. Sanctions.  Violations of the policies described above for legal and       ethical use of computing resources will be dealt with in a serious and       appropriate manner.  Illegal acts involving Library computing resources       may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.

12. All library computers will be shut down 10 minutes before the library closes.  Users must have all searching and printing completed before this time.

13. Unacceptable behavior and violations of the computer use policy may result in the following; first will be a warning, second will be a thirty (30) day suspension of internet use, third will be suspension from all library privileges.  The level of action shall be determined on a case-by case basis and shall be within the sole discretion of the Library Director and/or staff.

Disclaimer
 Since the Internet is a global electronic network, there is no regulatory control of its users or content.  The Internet and is sources may contain controversial material.  The library cannot censor access to material nor protect users from offensive information. 

 The library staff cannot control the availability of information links that often change quickly and unpredictably.  Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information.  Users need to be good information consumers, questioning the validity of the information.

Disabling
 Upon the request of a user aged nineteen (19) or older, a member of the Library staff will disable the filter on a computer being used by that adult to enable access for research or bona fide research.  Filters will not be disabled for minors under the age of 19.

Adopted by the Valentine Public Library Board of Trustees: 2/6/07