Youth Computer Policy

Garfield’s Cyber Safety Adventures is a fun and interactive program that teaches elementary children how to be safe on the internet.

Ages

Patrons age 13 and under wishing to use a computer must see a staff member at the Youth Services Desk to make a computer reservation at a Youth Area computer.

Patrons age 14 and older may use Adult Area computers with a valid library card or ID. Patrons age 14 to 17 without a library card or ID may use Youth Area computers for homework only.

Parents who need to supervise their children may be granted use of a Youth Area computer as availability allows.

Youth Area Computers

  1. The Library reserves the right to limit time on the computers in order to provide equitable access to all.
  2. Time limitations are enforced by the time management system. While initial sessions on Youth Area computers are set to 30 minutes, the software will automatically offer extensions of time if there is no demand for a given machine. However, patrons using the Youth Are computers may not exceed two and a half hours of computer use for each day. This policy is waved for patrons doing homework who may request 30 minute extensions at the Youth Services Desk.
  3. Cumulative daily limits may fluctuate in response to the volume of user traffic on any given day.
  4. Users may only be logged in to one machine at a time, though users can log on and off multiple times and use different machines on any given day, as availability permits.
  5. Reservations can be made at the Youth Services Desk. Reserved time slots will only be held for 10 minutes past the scheduled start time.
  6. Please be considerate of others when engaging in conversations in the computer area. 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.

Save Work

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.

Penalties

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.

Adult & Youth Area Computers

The following policies apply to the use of both Adult and Youth Area computers:

  • 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.
  • 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. While initial sessions are set to 75 minutes, the software will automatically offer extensions of time if there is no demand for a given machine. Cumulative daily limits may fluctuate in response to the volume of user traffic on any given day. Users may only be logged in to one machine at a time, though users can log on and off multiple times and use different machines on any given day, as availability permits. Reservations can be made at the Reference Desk, at our self-service station, and at an available computer. 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 black and white and 30 cents for color.
  • The Library cautions patrons that they should not give personal information (such as names, addresses, age, gender, email addresses, credit card numbers, and telephone numbers) to strangers or websites on the Internet.
  • Use of the Library's Internet computers to send and receive email, chat, and instant messaging are allowed as a courtesy; however, these privileges may be revoked at the discretion of the Senior Reference Librarian.

Save Work

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.

Penalties

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.