Computer Center

• Children younger than 7th grade must be accompanied in the Computer Center by a legal guardian.
• Use of equipment is at your own risk.
• Phoenixville Public Library is not responsible for lost or corrupted files or damage to disks.
• No more than two patrons at a time per workstation.
• All public computers are shut down 15 minutes before Library closing.
• Center will be closed during posted formal training sessions.
• Use is limited to one hour per patron, per day, unless space is available.
• No reservations accepted

Phoenixville Public Library provides Library customers use of computers for the Chester County Library System’s online catalog, Internet access, word processing, and a variety of tutorials and games. The Library provides access to the Internet through Chesconet and the Chester County Library System. These services are available to customers at no cost, with the exceptions of printing and the purchasing of disks (see “Fees” below).

Guidelines

Computer workstations in the Children’s Library, near the Adult Circulation Desk, and in the Public Computer Center are available during regular library hours on a first-come, first-served basis. Computer workstations are shut down 15 minutes before Library closing time.

Computers may not be reserved. When a computer is available, please sign-in at one of the Circulation Desks, or at the Reference Desk when using the Public Computer Center.

Children below 7th grade must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to use the Public Computer Center or computers across from the Adult Circulation Desk. Parental accompaniment is not required for computers across from the Adult Circulation Desk when the Children’s Library is closed.

Children above 6th grade may not use computers in the Children’s Library. Adults may not use computers in the Children’s Library unless accompanied by a child. Library staff may ask customers to present an ID.

Excessive use of computer workstations for reasons other than library research is not permitted. Computer sessions are limited to 30 minutes (60 minutes in the Public Computer Center) per customer, per day, unless space is available. The Public Computer Center will be closed during posted formal training sessions. No more than two persons at a time are permitted at any computer workstation.

Restrictions

Using our computers, customers will NOT be permitted to:

• use Library Internet stations or wireless connections for unlawful purposes or to view prohibited content;
• alter the Library’s hardware or use any ports or jacks on the back of Library computers to attach equipment or peripherals. Customers may use USB ports on the front of Library computers for their own USB-compatible computing devices;
• use Library printers to print from personal computing devices. Wireless users wishing to print from their wireless computing devices at the Library must provide their own printers;;
• store individual files on the Library’s hard drives. Files or other data found on hard drives are deleted as part of daily/weekly clean-up procedures;
• use more than one Library computer at a time;
• run downloaded programs or their own software;
• alter hardware or software preference settings;
• plug portable computers into the library network..

Other Customer Responsibilities

• The Library’s wireless connections are intended for those using their own laptops, notebooks, or PDAs. The Library is not responsible for corruption of software or data on users’ personal computing devices while using Library wireless connections.
• Wireless communications are not secure. Informed, cautious wireless users avoid transmitting credit card or other sensitive personal information through wireless connections.
• Library customers are responsible for damage to or loss of Library hardware and software caused by negligence. Replacement costs apply in cases of loss or damage.

Library Staff Responsibilities

• Library staff can guide parents to materials and sites that will help them use the Internet with their children.
• Reference Department staff is available to assist customers in accessing information on the Internet. The Reference Librarian and/or Page assistants are also available to troubleshoot computer problems. The Library offers free tutoring and regular workshops to introduce customers to computers, e-mail, and the fundamentals of searching the Internet. We cannot, however, provide extensive training in all aspects of computers or of the Internet. We will try to point customers toward potentially useful sites, or help them construct potentially useful searches. But we cannot guarantee that customers will find precisely what they are looking for, or the accuracy of the information retrieved.
• Library staff will provide general guidance and a fact sheet for using wireless connections. Staff cannot configure customers’ personal computing devices..
• In compliance with CIPA, Library staff will override a block on Internet sites imposed by the filter upon request by an adult 17 and older, for any lawful purpose and in compliance with the provisions of Pennsylvania law summarized in the Policy below. The Library will unblock erroneously blocked sites upon any request by a minor. If unblocking results in the display of inappropriate images on the monitor, Library staff will follow the guidelines given in the next bullet.
• A Library staff member who notices inappropriate images or materials displayed on a monitor should immediately approach the user, tell the user in a quiet, neutral, objective manner that the display is not permitted in the Library’s public setting, and politely ask the user to remove it. If there is any hesitation on the user’s part, the staff member should immediately minimize the image or turn the monitor off if the image is on a Library computer. If the image is on a personal laptop or notebook, the staff member should gently but immediately guide the monitor several inches forward so that the image is less visible to others. The staff member should explain to the user that any further display of such materials will result in denial of computer and wireless use privileges and, possibly, in a request to leave the facility.
• Although the primary objective of Library staff that see inappropriate images displayed on a monitor is to clear the display from public view, there are additional concerns if images appear to be child pornography. If a displayed image appears to be child pornography and if there are no other library customers in the area at the time, the staff member should call a staff member from another area as a second witness to what appears on the monitor. This is particularly important if the staff member is aware that the same user previously displayed a similar type of image.
• If a staff member feels that a criminal activity may be taking place, he or she should immediately consult another staff member and, when possible, the person-in-charge to determine if police should be called (911). If the situation is urgent and the person-in-charge is not immediately available, any staff member may call 911.

Fees

• Printouts – 15 cents/copy, payable at the Circulation Desks. Please print only what is needed.
• Disks & CD-RWs — 50 cents/disk, available at the Circulation Desks.
• Flash drives — $8.00 ea., available at the Circulation Desks.

Internet Acceptable Use Policy

The Phoenixville Public Library provides public access to the Internet, through Library-owned computers and wireless connections, and to other electronic resources. The Library offers this in fulfillment of its mission to develop collections, resources, and services that meet the cultural, informational, educational, and recreational needs of its diverse community, and to respond to advances in technology and the changing needs of its customers. The Library recognizes that the Internet is a rich but unregulated resource and that not all sources on the Internet provide information that is accurate, complete, current, legal, or philosophically acceptable to all citizens.

Individual customers assume the responsibility for determining the suitability of Internet content for themselves. The Library affirms the right and responsibility of parents and legal guardians for deciding what Library resources, including those found on the Internet, are appropriate for their own minor children. Library staff does not act in loco parentis to restrict what a child may access.

The Library System uses technology protection measures to filter content in accordance and compliance with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Pub. L. No. 106-554, Div. B., Title XVII, 114 Stat. 2763A-335 (2000).

Users of the Library’s computers or wireless connections may not use them for any purpose that violates federal, state, or local laws. Users must respect all copyright laws and licensing agreements pertaining to electronic files and other resources obtained via the Internet.

The viewing of Web pages that contain or display sexually explicit materials, as defined in 18PaCS 5903, is prohibited in Pennsylvania in a public library environment. The viewing of child pornography is a criminal act and may be prosecutable as a felony. The Library will assist in the prosecution of criminal activity.

The Library reserves the right to terminate an individual’s use of an electronic resource, library computer or wireless connection at any time for failure to comply with Library policy and guidelines.