Tilton Library | The Public Library of Deerfield, Massachusetts

Internet Use and Safety

Tilton Library endeavors through its collections, programs and services to help meet the informational, cultural and recreational needs of Deerfield residents. It is within this context that the Library provides Internet access to its patrons.

The Internet and its resources contain a wide variety of material and opinions from varied points of view. It is one tool of many which the Library provides for finding information and should not be considered a substitute for other Library materials. Patrons who access the Internet are advised to use discretion in evaluating the validity and accuracy of any website information. Users should seek assistance from Library staff when doing research to help find the best sources of information.

USAGE

The Library does not attempt to restrict access to Internet sites. The Library subscribes to the principles of intellectual freedom expressed in the American Library Association’s Bill of Rights (appended). While constitutionally protected speech and information is available for access to all library patrons, users are reminded that the Library’s Internet terminals are located in public areas which are shared with library users of all ages, backgrounds and sensibilities. Individuals are expected to consider this diversity and respect the sensibilities of others when accessing potentially offensive information or images.

As a member of the C/W MARS network, the Library follows the policies of the network and of its Internet provider. The following activities are expressly prohibited:

Using the Internet for illegal purposes
Using the Internet in violation of the Massachusetts General Law 272 Section 31, the Harmful to Minors statute
Violating copyright law or software licenses
Transmission of chain mail, broadcast letters, or junk mail of any type
Transmission of threatening, harassing, defamatory or obscene materials
Unauthorized access to remote computer systems

USE OF THE INTERNET BY MINORS

As with other library materials, parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for guiding their children in the use of the Internet. Parents and guardians, not Library staff, are responsible for information accessed by their children and for deciding whether material accessed by their children is appropriate. Computer users 12 and under must have a library card in order to use the Internet. Children 9 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

ACCESS

Users must sign in and may be asked to leave identification, preferably a valid library card in good standing. Persons with outstanding library debt may be denied Internet use at the discretion of Library staff.

COMPUTER AVAILABILITY

Computer time is on a first come, first serve basis

DOWNLOADING

As a protection to the system, there will be no downloading of information from the Library’s public Internet computers to a disk or hard drive. Under no circumstances may disks be introduced to the Internet computers unless by an authorized Library employee.

EMAIL

The Library does not establish, maintain or actively facilitate use of email accounts, news groups, listserves or chatrooms for its users

PRINTING

There is a charge of 15 cents for black and white and 25 cents for color.

TIME ALLOWED

Internet computers are available for thirty (30) minutes at a time. If no one is waiting use may continue

SHUT DOWN

To facilitate lock-up procedures, computers will be shut down fifteen (15) minutes before the Library closes

USER LIMITS

Users may be accompanied by only one other person at the computer. Small groups may use a computer with the permission of the staff person in charge.

MISUSE PENALTIES

Violators of the Library’s policies, including the Internet Use and Safety Policy, may lose library privileges. Anyone discovered attempting to damage the Library’s equipment or software, attempting to change files or reset configurations, or otherwise violating this Internet Use and Safety Policy, will immediately lose the right to use these resources. Illegal acts involving the Library’s computers may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities. Users are responsible for any damage to hardware or software.

WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY

Tilton Library does not actively monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content, authority, reliability, currency or use. Neither the Board of Trustees of Tilton Library, the Library staff, nor the Town of Deerfield is liable for any negative consequences that may occur as a result of using the Library’s Internet connection.

Approved Board of Trustees June 7, 2006

WIRELESS INTERNET POLICY

The Library provides free Internet access points for users with portable computers or devices capable of receiving wireless signals. These access points allow users to access the Internet from their laptop computers or other devices when sitting within range of the access points. Signal strength may vary in the building, and no guarantee can be provided that users will be able to make a wireless connection.
Library staff is not able to provide technical assistance with patron equipment, and the library assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment, laptop configurations, security, or data files resulting from connection to the Library's wireless network. All wireless access users should have up-to-date virus protection on their laptop computer or wireless device.
Patron laptop computers must be already equipped with a wireless network card (NIC) as well as a charged battery to use the library's access points.
Patrons listening to audio files without headsets will be asked to mute the volume on their devices.
The Library's wireless connection is not secure. Any information being sent or received could potentially be intercepted by another wireless user. For your own protection, you should not transmit credit card information, passwords, or any other sensitive, personal information while using the Library's wireless connection.
No printing services are available.
Use of the Library's wireless network is governed by the Library's Internet Policy. By using the wireless network, patrons are agreeing to abide by the policy as stated above.

Approved Board of Trustees June 7, 2006