Internet Use Policy

- Borrowing - Behavior Policy - Meeting Rooms - Internet - Collection Development -
- MVLC Privacy - Mission & Vision -

Policies

1. The Tewksbury Public Library seeks to provide the Town's residents with a wide variety of materials, resources and services to meet the diverse cultural, informational, recreational and educational needs of the Tewksbury community. One of these resources is the Internet. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and information content. While there are numerous excellent and reliable sources of information on the Internet, not all sources provide accurate, complete, or current information. The Library recommends that Internet users verify a source before citing it or using information found on the Internet. Additionally, some library patrons may find some Internet resources that they consider offensive. Because the Library does not monitor and has control over the information on the Internet, the Library cannot be held responsible for Internet content. Patrons use the Internet at their own discretion.
2. The Tewksbury Public Library encourages parents to search the Internet with their children. Restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of that child's parent or legal guardian. The computers at the Tewksbury Public Library are unfiltered.
3. The Tewksbury Public Library endeavors to maintain access to the Internet. However, technical, mechanical or other problems may interrupt service. The Library is not responsible for problems that may arise when patrons are unable to connect to the Internet.

Procedures Governing Use

1. Each user must have a valid library card in the library database and must enter the card number each time the computer is used.
2. Users may reserve blocks of time in 60-minute increments, and may continue use thereafter, provided that other patrons' access is not thereby limited. Patrons may not begin use within fifteen minutes of Library closing.
3. Users shall not violate software licenses or copyright laws while using the library's workstations. Compliance with Title 17 of the US Code (copyright protection) is the user's responsibility.
4. Users shall not engage in any illegal activities on the Library's Internet workstations.
5. Users wishing to use their own removable media must inquire at the Reference Desk or the Children's Desk. Workstations that can accommodate these media are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
6. Users shall not save items, download to the hard drive, or alter any programs or security features.
7. Privacy or security cannot be guaranteed on the Library's public workstations, or on the Library's network when accessed via personal laptops. The user's activity potentially can be seen by others.
8. The cost of printing is ten cents per page for black and white printouts and fifty cents per page for color printouts.
9. Library personnel may ask a user to exit from a site considered visually offensive when judged by community standards. Upon such request, the user must exit the site immediately or relinquish the balance of his allotted time.

Library Staff Assistance

Library staff will make reasonable efforts to assist patrons in their use of the computers. However, they are unable to provide detailed instruction on either Internet searching or the use of PC applications. It is the patrons' responsibility to learn the programs they wish to use, including Internet browser software. The Librarian on duty can recommend such strategies and make suggestions as to which Web sites, books or periodicals might best answer a patron's questions. Please also note that while we now offer wireless Internet access for properly equipped personal laptops and handheld devices, the Library cannot assist with setup and configuration. The Library cannot accept the liability for handling patron equipment.

Failure to adhere to these regulations shall result in the loss of Internet access privileges.

The Tewksbury Public Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility arising from access to, or use of, information obtained through its electronic resources, or any consequences thereof. The Library also disclaims any liability or responsibility for damage to patron property while in use at the Library (e.g., laptops, removable media, and other devices).

- top of page -