Rules for the Public Access Computer Terminals

1. Computers providing Internet, word processing, and electronic database access are available for the use of library patrons. To use the computers, patrons must have their library card in-hand at the library so that they are able to gain access using the automated sign-in system, requiring them to provide a barcode and PIN. Patrons may not sign in for another patron and they must have their own library card in their possession to use computers.
2. Computers in the Children’s Services Department are available only for children ages twelve and younger. Parents or legal guardians of minors under the age of eighteen must either possess a library card with a PIN or acquire parental permission via the library card application before using computers.
3. Computers will automatically shut down fifteen minutes before the library closes and before the end of a session. Computers may be unavailable when library staff conducts training sessions or tours, and when computers are being serviced. The automated system will log patrons out with fair warning before closing and before sessions end. It is the responsibility of the library patron to complete work and save any documents before the sessions end. When a session ends, the workstation will not save any work. It is recommended that library patrons save their work. Work can be saved as an e-mail attachment or on a disc that the patron brings to the library.
4. Nonresident, temporary guests are provided with computer privileges for thirty days as long as they are able to present staff with identification that includes a photo and an address after completing a nonresident, temporary guest card application. After thirty days, nonresident, temporary guests must purchase a library card. Minors under the age of eighteen who are guests must acquire parental permission via the temporary guest card application in order to gain access.
5. If patrons owe an amount of $5.00 or more in library fines or lost materials, they must pay so that the debt is below $5.00 before computer access will be allowed.
6. The automated sign-up system allows patrons up to 75 minutes per day to be taken in as many sessions as desired. (Policy begins 1/02/08)  Designated "Express Terminals" allows an individual up to 25 minutes per session.  (Policy begins 1/02/08)                                                                            
7. Patrons must not abuse or rearrange library furniture, computer equipment, or computer supplies. The screen protectors must remain on the computers for protection purposes. Patrons must wear headphones and attach them to the computer equipment if they would like to use the speakers. Patrons must bring headphones since the library does not provide them for patron use.
8. Patrons must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy that has been approved by the Dover City Council, the Rules for the Public Access Computers, and the Rules Governing the Use of the Dover Public Library.
9. Patrons may not display materials on the screen which others in the community will find offensive. Patrons may not print offensive material.
10. Computer usage privileges will be revoked if patrons fail to abide by any of these rules.

Library Director
Revised 12/2007

Dover Public Library Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Statement of Purpose
The Internet is a vast universe of computers located throughout the world. To access the Internet, libraries have turned to the World Wide Web, which provides a framework by which the resources of the Internet can be made available to the general public. Because the Dover Public Library is a member of KentNet, the county-wide library automation system maintained by the Kent County Department of Library Services, the library has a high-speed connection to the Internet. Using this connection, library patrons have been able to access the Internet through the Digital Library of Delaware, maintained by the Delaware Division of Libraries. Up to this time, the access has been via a text-based interface, and the Internet Acceptable Use Policy developed by the Division has served as Dover Public Library’s policy. Now, with the advent of graphical Web browsers, which will be available on Dover Public Library computers in 1998, the library must adopt its own Internet policy. The following policy has been developed by the directors of the KentNet libraries. Each library in the consortium will adopt this policy prior to implementing a graphical user interface (GUI) for viewing the World Wide Web.

Acceptable Use Policy

• The Dover Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet is a world-wide community with a highly diverse user population, and it is the patron’s responsibility to utilize this resource wisely. Dover Public Library cannot be held responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information found on the Internet. Library staff will, however, provide guidance to assist library users in finding excellent Web resources selected by librarians for their accuracy and usefulness.
• Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all library users. The library may, however, establish time limits for using Internet workstations based on demand.
• Parents or guardians, not library staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents are reminded that only they can judge what material is suitable for their children to access. There is a great deal of material available on the Internet that many or most parents would find objectionable. Parents should discuss limits to viewing Internet materials with their children. Library staff can provide information to parents to assist them in talking with their children about the Internet. Parents do have the right to block all Internet privileges for their minor children (under 18). Parents who wish to exercise this right must ask their librarian for a form and return the signed form to their librarian.
• Internet use at the Dover Public Library is restricted to holders of a valid KentNet borrowing card. Users must enter their 14-digit barcode number and their Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access the Internet. Patrons who have been denied Internet access because of a violation of this policy or of the Internet acceptable use policy of the Delaware Division of Libraries will not be able to use this barcode to access the Internet from the library’s workstation.
• Internet workstations must be used in a responsible manner, respecting the rights of others, and taking care with use of the equipment. Computer and Internet settings may not be changed.
• The workstations cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activities prohibited by any applicable federal, state, or local laws.
• Patrons must be aware that material on the Internet and the World Wide Web is copyrighted. It is the user’s responsibility to be aware of the display of any notices concerning the copyright of information on the Web and to respect the copyright laws of the United States.
• While the library will respect user privacy when using the Internet, it should be remembered that Internet workstations are in public areas and can be viewed by the entire community. Users are asked not to display images which will be offensive to other members of the community.
• In order to protect computer workstations from viruses, patrons may not use their own software on workstations, nor may they use their own diskettes with the workstations. The library may offer diskettes for sale to library users at a nominal cost. Patrons may download files and programs to diskettes purchased from the library at the time they are using the workstations. They may not use diskettes purchased prior to that time or download to the hard drives of the PC’s.
• Internet access may not be available due to technical problems beyond the library’s control. The library will not be held responsible for any material lost due to equipment problems.
• The library will provide unfiltered access to the Internet at some public workstations within the library. The library may offer filtered access to the Internet at certain workstations available to younger users.
• Internet access will be denied to anyone breaching this acceptable use policy.

POLICIES GOVERNING THE USE OF THE DOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY

1. Library users are expected to respect the rights and privacy of library staff members. Harassment of staff members by the public will not be tolerated.
2. Books and other library materials are the property of the City of Dover. Anyone who sets off the security alarm system will be asked to display any items that may have triggered the alarm so that they can be properly checked out. Anyone refusing to comply or who has been observed damaging city property will be referred to the Dover Police.
3. The following activities are prohibited in the library: profanity, sleeping in or on library property, loitering, soliciting, panhandling, disruptive noises including ringing cellular telephones, not wearing shoes and shirts, smoking, food and drink, fighting, and animals except those accompanying handicapped persons or those used for library programming.
4. Computer use is unavailable fifteen minutes before closing, and some sections of the library on the bottom floor are not available for use a half hour before closing.
5. Only one person is allowed in the bathroom at a time, unless changing an infant or attending to a minor child. Both bathrooms in the Children’s Services Department have changing tables for the convenience of caregivers.
6. Patrons must not sit on the handrails in the library entrance area and may not block the library entrance. Bicycles must be left in the bike rack and may not block the entrance. Please lock your bike since library staff cannot be responsible for stolen property.
7. The Children’s Services Department is for the use of those ages 12 and under and their caregivers. Young children cannot be left unattended in the library. Truancy will be reported to school officials. Suspended or expelled students must present evidence of their status to remain in the library during school hours. If minors under age 18 are left at the library or on library property for fifteen minutes after closing, the Dover Police will be called to retrieve the minor until the parents can be located.
8. A public telephone is provided in the library entrance and patrons cannot use library telephones. Staff members will not be responsible for relaying messages to patrons.
9. Personal items should not be left unattended in the library. Library staff cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items.
10. Library users must abide by additional library policies about computer usage, reserving the meeting room, borrowing materials, and posting information on library bulletin boards. For further information, please ask a staff member for copies of these policies.

Anyone in violation of these rules will receive one warning. A second warning will result in the suspension of library privileges for the remainder of the day. The parents or legal guardians of repeat juvenile offenders will be contacted. Suspension from any department of the library includes suspension from all parts of the library, including outside library property. If a patron refuses to leave the library when asked by a staff member, the Dover Police will be contacted.