Technology Use Policy

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Phillipsburg Free Public Library to put books and information into the hands of people whose lives will be enriched and whose purposes furthered thereby.  PFPL is the child’s gateway to learning, the institution where individuals may seek self-development on their own terms, and the means whereby all people may refresh old insights and gain new knowledge of the world around them.  The Board of Trustees adheres to the philosophy expressed in the ALA Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to View and Freedom to Read statements.

The Library is pleased to offer access to a variety of technologies, free of charge to our patrons as a part of our mission to provide resources that reflect the great diversity of interests and opinions in our community, both locally and globally.

 

Technologies available for use at the Phillipsburg Free Public Library:

Public Access Computers:

The Library provides computers in the Reference Area and in the Children’s Room for use by the public to access the Internet, email, and basic office software.

Wi-Fi:

The Library provides a wireless access point which allows Library users to connect to the Internet using their own wireless-enabled devices while in the Library building.

Internet Access:

The Library provides Internet access on computers in the Reference Area and in the Children’s Room of the Library.

Children’s Game Computers:

The Library has computers with educational games available for use by children in the Children’s Room.

 

General Usage

The Phillipsburg Free Public Library provides all these technologies to the public during regular business hours.

Use of equipment, software and related media is primarily self-service.

The use of these technologies is intended for individuals, not for groups.

The Library will establish time limits, which will vary based on demand.

Procedures will be established governing these technologies.  The Library Director will develop the procedures to ensure fair and reasonable use of the Library’s computers.  The procedures will be posted in the Library.

 

Disclaimers

The Phillipsburg Free Public Library reserves the right to deny or limit the use of any and all Library-owned equipment, software and technology to anyone in order to ensure access to as many users as possible and to protect Library property.  Use is subject to time limits, which are subject to change according to the needs of the public.

While the Library endeavors to provide access to information of the highest quality, the Library specifically disclaims any warrant as to the information’s accuracy, timeliness, authoritativeness, usefulness or fitness for a particular purpose.

The Library will have no liability for direct, indirect or consequential damages related to the use of information accessed through the Library’s Internet service.

The Internet is an unregulated medium, and the Library has no control over the data provided.

The Library is not responsible for damage to user’s storage device or computer or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from the use of the Library’s computers.

The library cannot guarantee access to any equipment at any particular time for any particular length of time, nor can the Library guarantee access to or functionality of any particular Internet site or software.

In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the Library has  technology protection measures on all computers.  Since no filter software can guarantee complete protection, parents and guardians are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet, not the staff of the Library.

Patrons over the age of seventeen may request that the blocking measure be disabled to allow access for bona fida research or other lawful purpose.

 

RESTRICTIONS

Patrons are NOT permitted to use the library computers or the library’s wi-fi network for the following purposes:

• Violate the law.
• Violate copyright or software licensing agreements.
• Violate laws relating to child pornography.
• Display, send, receive or print text, images or graphics of obscene materials harmful to minors.
• Use the computer to transmit threatening or harassing material.
• Alter or attempt to alter programming of the Library’s computers.
• Breach security of the Library’s computers and network.
• No person shall use a Library computer or the wireless service to display materials that may be interpreted as intimidating, hostile, offensive to people of all ages and backgrounds.

 

Assistance

The Library staff will try to assist patrons to the best of their knowledge in using the Internet, but the Library cannot guarantee that the staff will be able to answer all questions on using the Internet or software.  Staff is not able to offer in-depth training.

Library staff will not change settings on patron-owned equipment.

 

VIOLATIONS

Failure to comply with this policy and procedure will result in the forfeiture of the patron’s right to access these technologies at the Phillipsburg Free Public Library.

The Phillipsburg Free Public Library reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.

 

June 6, 2013; revised February 1, 2018