Author: Staff

Apalachin Library Computer Use and Internet Policy
Use of the Apalachin Library computers is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use of library computers will result in a cancellation of this privilege. All users of electronic information resources such as the Internet are expected to use these items in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided and to follow the following policies and regulations established by the Library Board which relate to computer and Internet use.
Internet resources are to be used for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These computers are not to be used for illegal, unauthorized, or unethical purposes. Their use must not cause library patrons undue psychological and emotional stress. The Library staff has the same rights. Each member of the staff should be able to perform his or her work free of harassment, abuse, discomfort and undue stress.
The Library’s computer systems are not private and the Internet is unfiltered. Users have no expectation of privacy. Users engaging in financial or other personal transactions that are ordinarily private and confidential, do so at their own risk. The information on these computers may be monitored or disclosed at any time by authorized personnel.
To comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and restrict access to online content that may be considered harmful to minors or offensive to adults, the library employs technology protection measures (filters) on all computers with Internet access. As required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of materials deemed as obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors. Users are cautioned that filters are not foolproof and due to technological limitations cannot obstruct access to all potentially harmful or offensive content. In addition, filters may block access to some legitimate and constitutionally protected material found on the Internet. By law, individuals who have attained the age of 17 have the right to unfiltered Internet access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
The Apalachin Library is not responsible for damage to a patron’s personal materials, or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from a patron’s use of the Library’s computers. All users bringing devices are responsible for configuring their own equipment. All users of Wi-Fi should have current antivirus software installed on their devices. Printing is not available via Wi-Fi. Files can be emailed to one’s own account or saved to a flash drive and printed from a public computer for a per page fee.
Responsible, acceptable and ethical use includes the following:
Information gathering, research, e-mail, word processing.
Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user or by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system.
Respecting the privacy of others using the computers at Apalachin Library by not interfering with their use.
Making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data.
A Patron may use a computer at the Apalachin Library for 1 hour per day (24-hour period) whether or not another patron is waiting to use a computer. A timer will be set when a person signs in to keep track of the time. An exception may be made by a staff member on a case by case basis at a time when no one is waiting for the computer.
Using a computer requires signing in at the desk. Your signature on the sign-in sheet means that you agree to the rules of this policy.
Computers are available on a first come- first serve basis. They may not be reserved.
Parents of children under 12 years of age will be asked to sign a consent form giving their child permission to use a computer.
Computers are available for self-guided usage. We do not always have staff available to train people on the use of the computer or the internet.
Anyone listening to audio programs must use headphones or earbuds. The library does not provide headphones or earbuds.
Unacceptable behavior:
Violating the integrity of the computer systems in the Library.
Damaging, tapering with or altering computer hardware and/or software components of any network or database.
Storing data on the hard drive of the Library’s computers.
Conducting a for-profit business using the Library’s computers.
Engaging in criminal and/or illegal acts, which may harass, threaten, or cause distress or inconvenience to any person using library computers; including, but not limited to, viewing obscenity (as defined by New York State Penal Law Section 235.00) and/or viewing child pornography, sexual harassment, theft, and unauthorized access.
Transmitting or distributing any material or information which contains a computer virus or other codes, files or programs intended or having the effect of disrupting or otherwise adversely affecting the operation of the Library computer systems.
Accessing or attempting to access online resources to perform unauthorized tasks.
Using the computers to transmit threatening, harassing, discriminatory, or abusive language and images.
More than two people at a terminal at the same time.
Eating or drinking in the computer area.
Because of the nature and structure of the Internet, the Apalachin Library, in providing access, is opening a gateway of information that is not subject to the traditional manner of materials selection. Internet users may therefore obtain access to some materials that would not otherwise meet the standards of the Library’s selection policy.
Not all sites provide accurate, complete, or current information. Some sites change rapidly and without notice. Some sites may contain information that a person may find controversial or inappropriate.
The Apalachin Library expects parents who are concerned about their children’s access to information on the Internet to provide guidance to their children. Parents may limit access only for their own children. Parents should understand that, as a practical matter, the Library cannot guarantee that children unsupervised by a parent will not have access to materials the parent might find objectionable.
Functions Available:
The Library provides several popular software packages which are permanently stored on the computer’s hard drive.
All computers run the Windows Operating System.
Only software provided by the Library is available for public use.
Documents or files may not be permanently saved on the hard drive.
Black and White printouts may be made on the Library’s printer at a per page cost.
Enforcement of These Rules:
The Library Board delegates responsibility for enforcing these rules relating to computer and Internet use to the Director of the Library or, in his/her absence to his/her designee. Failure to observe these rules may result in the suspension of computer privileges and the loss of library privileges, if appropriate; in addition, a user is responsible for any costs, liabilities or damages caused by the user’s Library Internet access.
Adopted: June 21, 1999; Revised August 3, 2005; April 19, 2010; October 19, 2016

Computers are available for self-guided usage. We do not always have staff available to train people on the use of the computer or the internet.
Anyone listening to audio programs must use headphones or earbuds. The library does not provide headphones or earbuds.
Unacceptable behavior:
Violating the integrity of the computer systems in the Library.
Damaging, tapering with or altering computer hardware and/or software components of any network or database.
Storing data on the hard drive of the Library’s computers.
Conducting a for-profit business using the Library’s computers.
Engaging in criminal and/or illegal acts, which may harass, threaten, or cause distress or inconvenience to any person using library computers; including, but not limited to, viewing obscenity (as defined by New York State Penal Law Section 235.00) and/or viewing child pornography, sexual harassment, theft, and unauthorized access.
Transmitting or distributing any material or information which contains a computer virus or other codes, files or programs intended or having the effect of disrupting or otherwise adversely affecting the operation of the Library computer systems.
Accessing or attempting to access online resources to perform unauthorized tasks.
Using the computers to transmit threatening, harassing, discriminatory, or abusive language and images.
More than two people at a terminal at the same time.
Eating or drinking in the computer area.
Because of the nature and structure of the Internet, the Apalachin Library, in providing access, is opening a gateway of information that is not subject to the traditional manner of materials selection. Internet users may therefore obtain access to some materials that would not otherwise meet the standards of the Library’s selection policy.
Not all sites provide accurate, complete, or current information. Some sites change rapidly and without notice. Some sites may contain information that a person may find controversial or inappropriate.
The Apalachin Library expects parents who are concerned about their children’s access to information on the Internet to provide guidance to their children. Parents may limit access only for their own children. Parents should understand that, as a practical matter, the Library cannot guarantee that children unsupervised by a parent will not have access to materials the parent might find objectionable.
Functions Available:
The Library provides several popular software packages which are permanently stored on the computer’s hard drive.
All computers run the Windows Operating System.
Only software provided by the Library is available for public use.
Documents or files may not be permanently saved on the hard drive.
Black and White printouts may be made on the Library’s printer at a per page cost.
Enforcement of These Rules:
The Library Board delegates responsibility for enforcing these rules relating to computer and Internet use to the Director of the Library or, in his/her absence to his/her designee. Failure to observe these rules may result

in the suspension of computer privileges and the loss of library privileges, if appropriate; in addition, a user is responsible for any costs, liabilities or damages caused by the user’s Library Internet access.
Adopted: June 21, 1999; Revised August 3, 2005; April 19, 2010; October 19, 2016