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Welcome to the Internet at the Monson Free Library
and Reading Room Association. To maximize availability to this resource and to insure fair accessibility for all,
please follow these Internet Access Guidelines, which include our policies, rules, and procedures.
Introduction
Internet resources accessible through the Library
are provided equally to all Library patrons. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current
information. Internet users must be discriminating information consumers, always evaluating and questioning the
validity of information they discover. The Monson Free Library does not monitor and cannot control the information
available on the Internet and cannot be responsible for its content. The Library does not disclose information
about its patrons; however, the Library is not responsible for any information patrons choose to make available
on the Internet while using the Library's computers.
While the Internet serves as a vast and growing storehouse of information, its disorganization and the uncertain
quality of information does not always recommend it as the first or best source. In some cases, other electronic
databases or print sources may prove easier, faster, and more reliable.
Electronic Resources Guidelines
Responsibility of Users
All users of electronic information resources are
expected to use them in a responsible, legal, and ethical manner consistent with the educational and informational
purposes for which they are provided.
Supervising Children's Use
The Monson Free Library upholds and affirms the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected
materials. The Library also recognizes and affirms the right and responsibility of parents to determine and monitor
their children's use of Library materials and resources. Parents should let their children know what materials
they do not want them to use. Parents should supervise their child's Internet sessions; this includes not only
browsing the web, but also the use of electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications.
The Library does not have this right.
A filtering device is installed on the computer in the Children's Room to limit access to sites that might be of
concern to parents. Filters do not provide complete protection from information users may find offensive. The Library
is not responsible for unannounced changes in the content of the sources on the Internet nor for the sites which
have not been blocked by the filter. For more information on children and the Internet, parents are encouraged
to read Child Safety on the Information Highway produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
and Interactive Services Association.
1. Access
*Electronic resource users must be current registered patrons in good standing with the Monson Free Library or
CW/MARS library network. Transient non-resident users may check E-mail accounts without having a Monson library
card.
2. Availability
*Computers are normally available, subject to periodic maintenance, during regular Library hours.
*To facilitate orderly closing of the building, computers will be shut down 10 minutes before closing the Library.
*Use of the computers will be on a first-come, first serve basis. All users must sign in at the terminal. Sessions
will be limited to one hour. If, at the end of the session, no one is waiting, users may continue at the discretion
of the staff person in charge.
3. Use
*The Library does not provide e-mail accounts. The library will not setup, support, or maintain on its servers
or computers any e-mail accounts. Patrons may, however, use the public computers to access browser based e-mail
accounts that leave no footprint or files on the computer.
*Computer users are welcome to download information to a floppy disk. Personal game disks and/or software are not
permitted in the Library's equipment.
WARNING: Although the Library has installed anti-virus software on the computers, this will not completely
protect you from the chance of getting a computer virus. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus
and you need to have virus-checking software on your home computer. The Monson Free Library is not responsible
for damage to your disks or computer or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from use of the
Library's computers.
*Printing cost: 10¢ per page. Payment is made
at the Main Circulation Desk.
*No more than one person in addition to the user may be present at any workstation unless otherwise allowed by
the Library staff.
4. Misuse
Users may NOT:
- Use another patron's library card number to sign
onto a computer.
- Download files to drives other than the drive that
holds their own disk.
- Use the Library's workstations to gather unauthorized
access to the Library's networks or to computer systems of any other network.
- Obstruct other people's work by consuming gratuitously
large amounts of system resources or by deliberately crashing any library computer system.
- Make any attempt to alter hardware and software
configurations in any way.
- Make any attempt to cause degradation of system
performance.
- Use any library workstation for any illegal or
criminal purpose including violations of copyright and software agreements.
- Engage in any activity that is deliberately and
maliciously offensive, libelous, slanderous, or harassing.
- Destroy or damage equipment, software, or data
belonging to the Library or other users.
- Violate the computer system security.
*Violators of Library policy, including those governing Internet access, may lose Library privileges. Unlawful
activities will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner.
5. Staff Assistance
*We will be glad to assist you in accessing the Internet and we will provide you with reference materials to aid
you in your search. Library staff, however, cannot provide in-depth training concerning the use of the Internet
or other computer related issues. Due to limited staff and scheduling, Internet trained staff may not always be
available.
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