Providing access to global information networks is not the same as selecting and purchasing materials for the Library's collection. Because the Internet is a vast and unregulated information network, it enables access to ideas, information, images and commentary beyond the confines of the Library's collection, mission, selection criteria and collection development policies. The Pottsville Free Public Library is responsible only for data on those pages specifically pertaining to the Pottsville Library. The Library is not responsible for the content, accuracy or availability of any external sites linked to those pages.
The Pottsville Free Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet. The resources available on the Internet contain a wide variety of material from varied points of view. Access points often change rapidly and unpredictably. The Library makes a continuing effort to identify and add useful, reliable links to sites with helpful information for our users and encourages users to visit these sites. However, the Library cannot guarantee the accuracy and/or acceptability of the information users may find and cannot be responsible for its content. The Internet and the available resources in its global electronic network may be erroneous, out-of-date, illegal or considered offensive, controversial or sexually explicit. Library Internet users are individually responsible for the resources they access and are encouraged to be good information consumers by evaluating the validity of information accessed via the Internet. Access by users under the age of 18 to explicit sexual materials as defined in 18 Pa. C.S. 5903 is prohibited.
Since the Library computers on which the public can access the Internet are located in public areas which must be shared by library users of all ages, backgrounds and sensibilities, users are asked to consider this when accessing potentially controversial information and images. Viewing of certain materials in the public library may be considered improper in time, place, and manner. Viewing obscene materials in the public library is considered improper in time, place, and manner. The Library reserves the right to end an Internet session at any time if it is creating a disturbance.
All Internet Resources accessible through the Library
are provided equally to all library users. As with all other library
materials, parents or guardians must assume responsibility for their
children's use of the Internet through the Library's connection.
Parents or guardians may restrict their children from access to Internet
resources accessible through the Library. Parents are advised to
supervise their children's Internet access.
Responsible, courteous use of the Internet includes:
Recognizing that the Internet, like all of the Library's
information sources, must be shared and used in a manner which
respects the rights of others and refrains from
activity that prevents others from using it.
Using the Library's Internet resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only.
Refraining from using the Library's Internet resources
to conduct a business or commercial enterprise, or engage
in commercial activity such as the distribution
of advertising.
Refraining from illegal or unethical use of the Internet.
Respecting intellectual property rights by making
only authorized copies of copyrighted, licensed or otherwise-controlled
software or data residing on the Internet.
Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting
oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access
to files, passwords, or data belonging to others;
and by not seeking disallowed access to any computer system via the
Internet.
Refraining from damaging or altering the setup of the equipment used to access the Internet at the Library.
Adopted by the Pottsville Free Public Library Board of Trustees February 17, 1997. Revised 7/19/99, 5/20/02, 7/22/04.
2. Use of the public access computers is on a first-come, first-served
basis. Those using these computers will not have a
time limit assigned but agree,
as a condition of use, that if anyone else is waiting, their use will be
restricted to 60
minutes, beginning with the time
they signed on.
3. Unless there is a specific reason which has been explained
to the Reference Librarian or a parent/guardian is with a child,
only one person may use
a public access computer at a time.
4. In accordance with the Library's purpose for providing Internet
access, use of newsgroups, chat rooms or other
communication forums,
and commercial activity are not acceptable uses of the Library's Internet
computers and
are not available for use on
the Library's computers. Use of electronic mail is not acceptable use of
the Library's
internet computers in the
children's department.
5. Users may not alter or attempt to alter the setup of public access computers.
6. To help prevent computer viruses that are common on public
computers, users may not use their own software programs
on the public access computers.
7. Users may not save their data on the hard drives of library
computers. If you wish to save files, you will need to purchase
a diskette from $1.25 from
the Circulation Desk or have your diskette scanned by the Library staff
at the Reference or
Circulation Desks.
8. The Pottsville Free Public Library is not responsible for damage
to a patron's diskette or computer or for any loss of data,
damage or liability that
may occur from patron use of the Library's computers.
9. Users may not use the Library's public access computers for
any unauthorized, illegal or unethical activity. It is the
responsibility of the user
to respect copyright laws and licensing agreements.
10. Users are asked to respect the privacy of other computer users.
This includes not representing oneself as another user,
not trying to gain access
to someone else's data, and not hovering over others using computers while
waiting for their
turn to use them.
11. Time permitting, Library staff will try to help with basic
computer problems. Regrettably, staff is not trained and does
not have time to offer extensive
explanations or provide in-depth training. Information about computer
training
opportunities and relevant
books/manuals are available at the Reference Desk. The Pottsville Free
Public Library is
not responsible for any damage to a
computer or disk or for loss of any data in the event a member of the library
staff
attempts to assist a patron with a
basic computer problem.
12. Any violation of the above rules, or any misuse of the computers or Internet access may result in loss of your computer privileges. First offense: one week suspension; second offense: one month suspension; repeated offenses: permanent suspension of computer privileges.
Return to the Library's Subject Guide to the Internet or Homepage.