Computer Use and Wireless Policy

Policy for Computer and Wireless Use

Patrons wishing to use a computer must have a valid library card or ID.   Patrons may use only one card or identity per day in order to maintain fair and equitable access to everyone. Users with a card enjoy enhanced self-service and seat selection. Users without a library card must see staff to gain access to a computer.

Patrons must abide by copyright and other local, state, and federal laws.

Intentional use of the Internet to access, transmit, or process obscene, adult, pornographic, racial or sexually discriminating material, or material meant to harass, degrade, bully or provoke another person or persons is prohibited.

Patrons are prohibited from installing, downloading, or deleting any software on library computers. Any patron access to restricted areas of the Library computers' hard drives is strictly forbidden, and could result in legal action.

Visitors are expected to follow the Patron Behavior Guidelines at all times. Failure to maintain appropriate behavior may result in loss of computer privileges or library access.

Please be considerate of others when engaging in conversations in the computer area. Whether in-person or via telephone, voices should be kept to a minimum so as not to disrupt those around you. If you need to speak loudly, your conversation should be moved to the lobby or patio area.

Patrons are prohibited from tampering with any library computer equipment, including mice. If the equipment is not operating properly, ask for help from the Reference staff. Do not attempt to fix the problem on your own.

Please be sure to complete your work on the computer, save your document(s), and make all necessary prints before your time on a computer has elapsed. The library cannot guarantee that your work will not be lost when the time management system ends a session. The computers automatically shut-down 5 minutes before closing in order to give people time to pack up and get their print jobs prior to closing.

All computers offer filtered Internet access and personal productivity programs, such as Word, Excel, and Publisher at no cost.

Youth Area general computers are for children age 13 and under. Youth Area homework computers are for youth age 17 and under. Adult Area computers may be used by patrons age 14 and older.

The Library reserves the right to limit time on the computers in order to provide equitable access to all. Time limitations are enforced by the time management system. Sessions are set to 120 minutes a day. Users may only be logged in to one machine at a time. Reservations can be made at the Reference Desk. Reserved time slots will only be held for 10 minutes past the scheduled start time.

The Library's Internet-access computers are connected to a print management system. When you are ready to pick up your prints, you may select and pay for them at the print release station near the Youth Services Desk. All prints/copies are 15 cents for B/W 30 cents for color.

The Library cautions patrons that they should not give personal information (such as names, addresses, age, gender, e-mail addresses, credit card numbers, and telephone numbers) to strangers or web sites on the Internet.

Use of the Library's Internet computers to send and receive e-mail, chat, and instant messaging are allowed as a courtesy; however, these privileges may be revoked at the discretion of the Senior Reference Librarian.

The Library cannot guarantee that your work will not be lost in the event of a power failure or computer malfunction. We recommend, if possible, that you save your work frequently to a storage device such as a thumb drive. In addition, in the event of a power or equipment problem, part or all of your session time could be lost.

Failure to comply with these computer use policies will result in the following penalties: First Offense - restricted from use of the computers for the rest of the day; Second Offense - restricted from use of the computers for two weeks; Third Offense - permanent forfeiture of computer privileges. Exception: If the offense is deemed severe enough, permanent forfeiture may occur on the first or second offense.

In addition, if use of the computers also violates the Patron Code of Conduct Policy and behavior remains in conflict with the Patron Code of Conduct, you may be asked to leave the library, face suspension of library privileges, or be subject to legal action.

Wireless Policy

Terms & Conditions of Use

Access Limitations. Use of this wireless network is provided as a free service by the City of Pinellas Park. The City is offering this free service solely to allow Citizens wireless access to portions of the Internet and by providing access to information. It is not the intent of the City to allow unlimited access to the entire Internet. Nor is it the intent of the City to create a traditional or limited public forum (i.e., a free speech arena). Therefore, in providing this free wireless network, the City may restrict access to certain sites and communication protocols found to be malicious and inappropriate or terminate your access to this service if you use it to access pornographic, adult-oriented, hate or spyware matter or websites. By using this free wireless network, you are agreeing and acknowledging you have read and accepted these terms and conditions of use, and this wireless network provides only limited access to the Internet. Further, you are agreeing to waive any claims, including, but not limited to First Amendment claims, that may arise from the City's decision to block access to pornographic, adult-oriented, hate or spyware matter and websites through this free wireless network and to this service for accessing pornographic, adult-oriented, hate or spyware matter or websites.

By reading and accepting these terms and conditions, you are agreeing access to this wireless network is completely at the sole discretion of the City and your access to this wireless network may be suspended or terminated at any time for any reason, including, but not limited to, violation of these terms and conditions, actions by you that may lead to liability for the City, disruption by you of another's access to this free wireless network, actions by you which violate the rights of the City or of any other third party or actions by you which violate any federal, state or local law. You also agree not to use this free wireless network in any unauthorized manner to download any copyrighted matter, whether in audio, video, photographic, textual or any other format, nor to download any pornographic, adult-oriented, hate or spyware matter, whether in audio, video, photographic, textual or any other format.

User's Obligations. You agree to provide virus and firewall protection for any device(s), which you will be using to access this wireless network.

User's Assumption of All Risks of Use. You agree to and hereby assume all risks (including, but not limited to, the risks of damage caused by hackers, worms, Trojans or viruses) arising from, connected to or resulting from your use of this wireless network.

User's Acknowledgments. You acknowledge: 1) the use of this wireless network may not be uninterrupted or error-free; 2) use of this wireless network may expose you or your device(s) to risks such as hackers, worms, Trojans or viruses; 3) the City does not guarantee the security of this wireless network; 4) unauthorized third parties may access your device(s) or files or otherwise monitor your use of this wireless network; 5) the City's ability to provide this wireless network without charge is based on the disclaimers and limitations of liability provided in the “Disclaimers” and “Limitation of Liability” paragraphs (below) and provision of this wireless network would require a substantial fee if any of those provisions were unenforceable.

Disclaimers. This wireless network and any products or services provided on or in connection with this wireless network are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and without warranties of any kind. All conditions, representations, indemnities, guarantees and warranties (whether express, implied or arising by operation of law, custom or the prior statement(s) of any party), including, but not limited to, any warranty of satisfactory quality, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are hereby excluded and disclaimed. NOTE: Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you.

Limitation of Liability. Under no circumstances will the City of Pinellas Park or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or affiliates be liable for any legal damages (whether based on tort, breach of contract or equitable theories) based on any claim of the user, or any of the user's heirs, assignees, appointees or successors-in-interest, and arising out of or as a result of the user's use of this wireless network.

Indemnification. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Pinellas Park and each of their suppliers, licensors, officers, directors, employees, agents or affiliates from any claim, lawsuit, liability, loss, damage, cost, expense or attorney's fees arising out of or relating to any actions initiated or caused by you while using this wireless network.

Severability. If any provision of these terms and conditions is held to be unenforceable, such holding will not affect the validity of any of the other provisions of these terms and conditions.