This Computer Use Policy is designed to provide all members of the public with fair, equitable access to computer services.
1. Time Limits – The initial time limit will be 60 minutes. If no one is waiting, computer time may be extended. The Millington Arbela District Library does not guarantee a specific amount of time for computer use.
2. Specific Use Computers – Some Millington Arbela District Library computers are designated for specific purposes such as children’s software. These computers are NOT connected to the Internet.
3. Filtering
a. The Millington Arbela District Library network is filtered.
b. Parents or legal guardians need to be actively interested in and are responsible for supervision of their children’s online use of the Internet and other electronic sources. Parents or legal guardians are encouraged to discuss the use of the Internet in relation to family values and boundaries with their children and to monitor their children’s use of the Internet. A parent, legal guardian or approved adult care taker must accompany children eleven years of age and under at all times while using the public access computers.
4. Library Use – Millington Arbela District Library staff may reserve computers for classes.
5. Closing – Computers and printers will be shut down 15 minutes before the library closes.
6. Headphones – Headphones are available at each public access computer.
7. Printing
a. Black & white pages are 15 cents per page. Color pages are 50 cents per page.
8. Saving Files and Documents – Patrons who wish a permanent record of their work need to save files and documents on their own USB or Cloud drive. Millington Arbela District Library computers do not allow users to save documents or personal files to the hard drive.
9. Disclaimer – Patrons use library computer hardware and software at their own risk.
a. The Millington Arbela District Library is not responsible for equipment malfunction, loss of data, any damages to the user’s disks, data, or electronic transactions of any type.
b. The Millington Arbela District Library is not responsible for the loss of CD or USB drive.
c. The Millington Arbela District Library computers are filtered using the best available technology. However, users are cautioned that ideas, points of view, and images can be found on the Internet that are controversial, divergent, and inflammatory.
d. The provision of access does not mean or imply that the Millington Arbela District Library endorses or sanctions the content or point of view of any of the information or commentary which may be found on the Internet.
10. Staff Assistance – Computing resources are self-serve. While staff members are available to assist users with the equipment, staff members do not provide assistance in the use of software. Staff members are NOT allowed to view patron’s personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers or banking information.
11. Illegal and Unacceptable Uses – Patrons may use library computers or the wireless access only for legal uses. Examples of unacceptable uses include but are not limited to the following:
a. Attempting to crash, degrade performance, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems and networks.
b. Damaging equipment, software, or data belonging to the Millington Arbela District Library or other users.
c. Using the Internet for malicious purposes such as intentionally propagating a virus.
d. Sending unsolicited advertising.
e. Attempting to gain or gaining access to another person’s files or authorization codes.
f. Using another person’s identification, bar code or pin number, with or without permission.
g. Using, disclosing, or disseminating personal identification information regarding minors without parental permission.
h. Displaying obscene material, child pornography, or sexual content that might be harmful to minors.
i. Harassing other users with messages, prints, or images.
j. Libeling, slandering, or maliciously offending other users.
k. Violating copyright laws or software licensing agreements.
l. Violating federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances.
12. Definitions
a. Obscenity, as defined in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code and MCL 752.362.
b. Child Pornography, as defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.
c. Child sexually abusive material, as defined in MCL 750.145c.
d. Harmful to Minors – The term “harmful to minors” as defined under MCL 722.674, means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
i. taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
ii. depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
iii. taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
e. Sexual Act; Sexual Contact – The terms “sexual act” and “sexual contact” have the meanings given such terms in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.
13. Compliance – Failure to comply with this policy or with library staff directions may result in restriction or termination of the user’s library privileges and may result in prosecution under local, state, or federal laws. Any person denied access to the Library or its services may appeal the denial to the Library Director. If the appeal is not resolved by the Director, it may be submitted in writing to the Library Board. The Library Board will provide the person with an opportunity to be heard before deciding the appeal.
INTERNET ACCESS POLICY
The Library’s Internet Access Policy is in compliance with federal and state laws.
1. Philosophy –The Millington Arbela District Library provides the Internet to the public as an informational, educational, and recreational resource.
2. Internet Content – The Internet, as an information resource, enables libraries to provide information beyond the confines of their own collections. It allows access to ideas, information, and commentary.
a. The Internet is an unregulated medium. As such, while it offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, it also enables access to some material that may be out of date, inaccurate and offensive.
b. The Millington Arbela District Library is not responsible for the content of information accessed or selected.
c. The Millington Arbela District Library strives to maintain a computing environment that promotes access to a wide variety of electronic information in an array of formats; however, Millington Arbela District Library makes no guarantee that all Internet content and services will function on its equipment.
d. If an adult wants unfiltered access to the Internet, the adult must make a request to staff to have the filtering software turned off. At least one computer may become unfiltered.
3. Privacy – It is the policy of the Millington Arbela District Library to preserve the confidentiality of library usage records of its patrons in accordance with the Library Privacy Act as last amended.
a. Unless ordered by a court after giving Millington Arbela District Library notice of the request and an opportunity to be heard on the request, the library or an employee or agent of the library shall not release or disclose a library record or portion of a library record to a person without the written consent of the person identified in that library record or that person’s parent or legal guardian.
b. The Millington Arbela District Library makes no representations regarding the privacy of information sent over the Millington Arbela District Library network (including Wireless Access) accessing the Internet including e–mail, chat, or instant messenger. Those transmissions are not guaranteed to be secure against interception and may be monitored by a third party.
4. Technology Protection Measure – It is Millington Arbela District Library’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Michigan Library Privacy Act, 1984 PA 455, MCL 397.601 et seq., and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) (47 USC § 254 and 20 USC § 9134) and the June 23, 2003 United States Supreme Court decision relating thereto, as well as provisions in the Michigan Library Privacy Act regarding restriction of Internet access to minors (MCL 397.606). Millington Arbela District Library uses a technology protection measure (or “Internet filter”) to restrict access to Internet sites that contain adult content (nudity, pornography, as well as proxy avoiding web pages). All public computers are filtered.
5. Filtering Guidelines – Millington Arbela District Library uses the requirements of CIPA and Michigan law to determine what the filter should block. Millington Arbela District Library uses the least restrictive blocking categories provided by the filter vendor that by their definitions appear to include prohibited content. Content to be blocked includes obscenity as defined in 18 USC § 1460, child pornography as defined in 18 USC § 2256, and sexual content harmful to minors as defined in 47 USC § 254 and 20 USC § 9134.
6. Parental Guidance – Parents need to be actively interested in and are responsible for supervision of their children’s use of the Internet and other electronic resources. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss the use of the Internet and family values with their children.
a. Parents and guardians need to be aware that the filter is not totally effective and the Millington Arbela District Library cannot assure that a child will not purposefully or inadvertently access inappropriate materials.
b. The Millington Arbela District Library does not filter the content of e‑mail, chat rooms, or other forms of direct electronic communication and cannot therefore assure the safety and security of minors using these functions.
c. The Millington Arbela District Library cannot protect against their children’s unauthorized access to computer resources, including “hacking,” and other unlawful online activities.
d. The Millington Arbela District Library cannot protect against unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding their children if their children provide it while using the Internet.
7. Wireless Access – Authorized and approved wireless access to the Internet is supported by Millington Arbela District Library within the libraries during library hours.
a. The Millington Arbela District Library network is an open network and is not secure.
b. Most Wi-Fi equipment will be compatible. However, the Millington Arbela District Library can make no guarantee to compatibility of equipment with Millington Arbela District Library’s network.
c. Wireless printing is available through Princh.
d. The Millington Arbela District Library cannot guarantee wireless connectivity.
e. Millington Arbela District Library staff cannot assist with a patron’s computer, wireless network card, or configuration.
f. Millington Arbela District Library assumes no responsibility for any loss or damages done directly or indirectly to personal data, equipment, unattended equipment or for any damage or injury arising from loss of privacy arising from use of its World Wide Web server, wireless connection, or connection to other Internet services.
g. Millington Arbela District Library staff is not responsible for any changes made to a patron’s computer settings.
h. Wireless users must comply with the Millington Arbela District Library Computer and Internet Use Policies. Users are expected to use the Millington Arbela District Library’s wireless access in a legal and responsible manner.
8. Complaints and Penalties – If a user feels that a web site is being blocked or allowed inappropriately by the filter, the user may request that it be reviewed by library staff.
9. Definitions
a. Obscenity, as defined in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code and MCL 752.362.
b. Child Pornography, as defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.
c. Child sexually abusive material, as defined in MCL 750.145c.
d. Harmful to Minors – The term “harmful to minors” as defined under MCL 722.674, means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
i. taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
ii. depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
iii. taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
e. Sexual Act; Sexual Contact – The terms “sexual act” and “sexual contact” have the meanings given such terms in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.
10. Compliance – Failure to comply with this policy or with library staff directions may result in restriction or termination of the user’s library privileges and may result in prosecution under local, state, or federal laws. Any person denied access to the Library or its services may appeal the denial to the Library Director. If the appeal is not resolved by the Director, it may be submitted in writing to the Library Board. The Library Board will provide the person with an opportunity to be heard before deciding the appeal.