Web Access Policies and Procedures Welcome to Montgomery County Public Library's
Public Web Access
The Library maintains access to the Internet
and the World Wide Web as an electronic tool for
customers and staff to locate information. As a
matter of policy grounded in the First Amendment
and existing law, the library affirms the right
of individuals to have access to constitutionally
protected material.
Rules for the Use of the Internet
To maximize the availability of limited resources,
and to ensure fair access to all, customers are
expected to follow the library's rules. Violation
of these rules may result in loss of web access
or library privileges. Library
staff has full authority to enforce these policies
and procedures as well as policies related to general
behavior in the library.
- Because the computer equipment is in great
demand, access is limited to two hours per day
per user. The limit stands regardless of whether the computer is used for Internet access or for Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. Users must sign up to use an Internet terminal. Users
are expected to make a computer available when asked to do so by library
staff.
(For additional details see Public
PC Booking and Use Policies)
- Customers must have their library card (or their library card number)
and PIN to use the Internet, Word, Excel, or PowerPoint or
to print from any PC.
- Customers using workstations should not interfere
with, or disrupt other users. The equipment must
be shared and used in a manner that respects
the rights of others. Library staff has full
authority to manage the use of equipment to achieve
these ends.
- Equipment and software must be used as installed.
Customers must not reconfigure the workstations,
load new software, or run their own software.
- Under State Law, it is a misdemeanor to damage
the equipment in any way: " ...
a person may not unlawfully take, detain, mutilate,
injure or disfigure books ... or any property
of any library." (Annotated Code of Maryland
23-408)
- Customers are expected to be considerate of
others when viewing Internet materials. Staff
will intervene to ensure compliance with State
law: " ... a county library
shall ... Adopt and implement policies and procedures
to prevent minors from obtaining access through
the library, by means of the Internet, the World
Wide Web, Usenet, or any other interactive computer
service to materials that are obscene or constitute
child pornography ..." (Annotated Code
of Maryland, Education 23-506.1) Many children
are in the library, and may see materials on
computer screens being used by others. Under
some circumstances, customers may be required
to use a privacy screen, so that they can continue
to view materials and the Library can comply
with State law.
- If staff believes that a customer is printing,
downloading, e-mailing or otherwise distributing
child pornography, the police will be called
to investigate.
- Users are responsible for compliance with all
copyright notices and restrictions attached to
web content as well as all applicable state and
federal laws
- Computer terminals in children's areas are
for children's use only. No one over 12 years
may use these computers for any purpose unless
they
are
a parent/guardian/caregiver
accompanying a child.
- Branch staff have full authority to designate
certain computers for specific purposes (for
ex. e-mail only, library catalog only, health
information only, etc.) in order to manage access
to limited resources. These designations may
change from day to day or even hour to hour depending
on user needs.
Guidance and Assistance for Using the Internet
The Internet contains an enormous variety of
rapidly changing material. The Library cannot monitor
or control the content of any individual Internet
site, and assumes responsibility only for the information
provided on its website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.
Links from the Library's web page to any product,
service, or information do not constitute an endorsement.
With this in mind, please note the following suggestions:
- Users should always make an evaluation of the
accuracy, completeness, and currency of Internet
sites, since their quality varies greatly. For
more information look for the document "Evaluating
Internet Sites" on the library's website.
- Users are cautioned that the Internet is not
always secure and that the privacy of credit
card transactions and other communications is
not assured.
- Parents/guardians/caregivers
are urged to work with their children in the
proper use of the Internet and its resources. Children's
Internet use is the responsibility of parents,
not of library staff. Internet terminals in
the children's areas of the branches are equipped
with filtering software. Filters are an imperfect
technology and do not provide a guarantee of
complete content screening. The Library has
a "Kidsite" web
page, which has links selected for children.
For more information on children and the Internet
consult the document "Child
Safety on the Internet" on the library's
website.
- For users of unfiltered Internet terminals
who want to filter their Internet searches, the
library suggests using the filtering features
of search engines.
- Staff members are able to provide users with
limited assistance for getting started on the
Internet, but cannot offer in-depth personal
instruction. For links to online-tutorials, such
as instruction on using the "mouse", consult
the Library's website. The Library also owns
introductory books about the Internet.
- For new users of the Internet, the Library
offers programs on using the Internet and Library
Catalog. A current listing of system and branch
programs is available on the library
website.
Downloading:
Users may save information
from the library computers to their personal flash drives or to free personal accounts on cloud-computing platforms, such as Google Docs or SkyDrive. Users may not save to the hard drives of library computers.
Headphones:
Headphones may be used at designated terminals.
Headphones may be purchased at a minimal cost from
the Library. Users may also bring in their own
headphones. Please consult with staff for additional
information
Printing:
Printing from all Internet PC's, catalog and
database PC's, Word PC's, and language lab PC's
will be $.15 per page.
For additional information about the Internet,
please consult the following:
About
Internet Filters
A description of filtering software, the library's filter, and filtering options
for adults.
Child
Safety on the Internet
A collection of Internet resources to help parents, caregivers, and children
enjoy safe use of the Internet.
Evaluating
Internet Sites
Here are some questions to ask yourself that will help answer the question, "Can
I trust this website?"
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