To fulfill its mission of providing free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joy of reading to our diverse community, the Holyoke Public Library provides access to the Internet.

• All Holyoke Public Library cardholders in good standing are entitled to Internet access.

• The Holyoke Public Library is committed to make access available on an equitable basis.

• The Holyoke Public Library reserves the right to remove the privilege of anyone who tampers with or damages the equipment or programs involved with Internet access.

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Disclaimer

• Links to Internet sites can be found on the home web pages designed by the staff of the Holyoke Public Library. The Library follows its materials selection guidelines in linking other web sites to its home pages. Beyond this, the Library has not participated in the development of these other sites and does not exert any editorial or other control over these sites. Any link from the Library’s web site to another web site is not an endorsement from the Library. The Library does not warrant that its web site, the server that makes it available, or any links from its site to other web sites are free of viruses or other harmful components.

• The Holyoke Public Library cannot be held responsible for the content, quality, currency or accuracy of data gathered from Internet sites accessed through the Library. Internet Web site creators are not regulated and thus are free to publish whatever material they choose, with the exception of copyrighted materials. As in the use of print media, users must obey United States Copyright and other applicable laws.

• The Holyoke Public Library also cannot be held responsible for the Web site choice made by children. Parents, legal guardians or care givers are responsible for supervising their child's Internet use. Librarians are available to help children, if needed, but not to monitor what resources are utilized.

• Any damage caused to patron computers from downloaded computer viruses is not the responsibility of the Holyoke Public Library. Users should install virus checking software onto their home computers in order to prevent computer damage from information downloaded off of the Internet.

• Finally, the Holyoke Public Library cannot be held responsible for any loss of privacy, fees incurred, and/or personal harm caused to patrons due to disclosing of personal information over the Internet. Users are warned not to give their names, telephone numbers, addresses, credit card numbers, or any other personal information out over the Internet, since it is not known who is receiving it and for what purpose it is being used. Patrons should exercise extreme caution before arranging meetings with strangers they contact over the Internet.

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User Responsibility

• The Library does not monitor or control the content of the material accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its contents. Not all information found on the Internet is accurate, complete, up-to-date, legal or philosophically acceptable to all individuals. The Library assumes no responsibility and shall have no liability for any direct, indirect or consequential damages arising from the use of information found on the Internet, or any communications sent through the Library’s Internet terminals. The Library does not monitor an individual’s use of the Internet; nor does the Library employ filtering software.

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Access and Usage

• The Library does not provide e-mail accounts to users; however, users with existing e-mail accounts may access their accounts through the Library’s Internet terminals. The Library assumes no responsibility and shall have no liability for any claims or damages which result from the provision of such access to users.

• As with other library materials, restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.

• Use of the Library’s terminals for the transmission, dissemination, and/or duplication of information is regulated under various state and federal laws. The Library expects all users to comply with such laws.

• The Library has developed "Guidelines for Use of Computer Terminals." In addition, the Library Commission has adopted "Guidelines for Library Use" for the Library (Policy # __). Any users of the Library’s Internet terminals must follow the Library Guidelines and Rules of Conduct.

Computer UseGuidelines

Purpose:

1.  To provide all interested Library users with access to the Library catalog, various databases and Internet connections.
2.  To discourage a few individuals from monopolizing computer workstations thereby hindering the ability of others to make use of these resources.
3.  To provide staff with a method to modify consistently and equitably individuals’ inappropriate behavior.

Application

1.  Individuals may use a public workstation for a period of time (for example, sixty minutes) specified by the Library Staff.
2.  Library Staff may make exceptions to time limits when demand is light or heavy. Terminals, which access only the Library catalog, may be exempted from any time limit.
3.  Library workstations are connected to one printer. A Library Staff may limit use of such stations to patrons who are ready to print. There is a charge for printing—25 cents for personal prints, 10 cents for school related work.
4.  Access to the Internet or to particular kinds of activity (for example, e-mail, chat rooms, game playing) may be limited or prohibited at the discretion of a Library Staff to allow for easier access to the Library’s catalog and other databases.
5.  Only one individual may use the workstation, if a child is accompany by a caregiver they may use the same workstation as so long as this does not disrupt others in the library.
6.  After an individual has occupied a workstation for the time limit, s/he must relinquish the workstation.
7.  Users of computer workstations are expected to be alert to others who may wish to use the equipment. Individuals will lose their Library privileges if they intimidate or otherwise discourage others from exercising their right to use the computer.
8.  Downloading is not permitted at any stations. Files downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus; neither the Holyoke Public Library nor any of its vendors shall be held responsible for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from an individual’s use of a Library computer.

Procedures

1.  Any limit or sign-up requirement shall be clearly posted.
2.  Any individual who violates these guidelines (for example, using a false name or signature or otherwise trying to circumvent limits) may lose his/her Library privileges.

Adopted 5/2003