Princeton Public Library

Electronic Resources Policy

 

In order to provide patrons with the best and most current information available, the Princeton Public Library includes on-line electronic materials as part of the services provided.  These resources contain a wide variety of materials and access points from varied points of view.  The library has no control over information on the Internet, nor can we control the various and rapidly changing access points available on the World Wide Web.  Please also be aware that although these resources contain a wealth of valuable information that some information may be inaccurate, outdated, or offensive.  Use of these resources carries a responsibility to evaluate the quality of the information accessed.

 

Parents and guardians, not the library, are responsible for the use of these resources by children in their custody.  Parents and children are advised to read “Child safety on the information superhighway” which can be found on the Internet at www.safekids.com

 

Library staff will provide limited assistance for basic start up procedures.  Because of Library scheduling, Internet-trained staff may not always be available.

 

Prohibited Uses

To assure appropriate use of library resources, electronic access and library equipment may not be used for the following purposes:

 

·         Illegal, unauthorized, unethical or commercial purposes *copying or downloading of any material in violation of copyright laws.

·         Chat rooms, IRC, or other forms of Internet chat

·         Manipulation of internal hardware and/or software including uploading

·         Transmission, uploading, downloading and/or viewing text or graphics which may be reasonably construed as obscene (as defined by 18 USC 1460) or as child pornography (as defined by 18 USC 2256)

·         By authority of the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (NCIPA), the library will determine what matter is inappropriate for minors.

*Commercial purposes are defined as direct usage of Library resources to market, advertise, or sell goods and services.

 

Usage of electronic materials and library equipment is a privilege and should be treated as such by all users.  The library and its staff reserve the right to determine the appropriateness of such usage and can at any time require a patron to leave the workstation.  Prohibited uses will result in loss of workstation privileges.

 

Patrons time on the computer is not to exceed one hour on any given day,  i.e., exception would be online testing.  Not to exceed two hours.  Patron must take two hours in one sitting.  Cannot leave and then come back during the two hours.  All usage must be concluded within ten minutes of the library’s closing time.  Use of computers is on a first come first serve basis.

 

All persons who wish to use these resources must first sign in and present identification.  It is up to the patron to record the time his/her session begins.  Be aware that your session will end after one (1) hour.  Printing will be charged at the same rate as photocopying:  $.20 each.

 

Because library equipment to access electronic resources is located within plain sight and to assure the library’s right to determine appropriateness of usage, patron confidentiality in accessing these materials may be compromised.

 

Updated June 1, 2017