Computer & Technology Rules & Regulations
Our Rules and Regulations
At present, the Internet is an unregulated and rapidly changing medium. It contains a wealth of diverse material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, but it also contains materials that may be offensive, controversial, disturbing, illegal, harmful to minors, inaccurate, or incomplete. The Dougherty County Public Library does not monitor, control, or restrict anyone’s access to equipment or to the range of information available within the limits of state and/or federal law. The Library has no control over information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. Provision of Internet access by the Library does not constitute an endorsement of any particular information contained on the Internet and shall have no liability for direct, indirect, or consequential damages related to the use of information accessed on the Internet from library equipment. Users of Library computers and the Internet do so at their own risk. Therefore, users are encouraged to evaluate the validity of information obtained from the Internet.
- A library card is necessary to use computer resources.
- Internet computers shall not be used for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, to access child pornography, or to access materials which by local community standards would be considered obscene.
- Transmitting and/or receiving obscene materials and/or child pornography is a violation of law and is not permitted under any circumstances. Violation of this rule will subject a patron to criminal prosecution and result in immediate and permanent loss of library Internet access privileges.
- Minors, whether or not accompanied by a parent or guardian, shall not use computers for any illegal activity, or to access illegal materials, child pornography, obscene materials, or materials harmful to minors as currently defined by law. Violation of this rule may subject a patron to criminal prosecution and will result in immediate loss of library Internet access privileges.
- Installation, downloading, or modification of software is prohibited.
- Users shall respect copyright laws and licensing agreements.
- Users shall not make any attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted computer files or networks, or to damage or modify computer equipment or software.
- Users are financially responsible for any fees or printing that they may incur from their use of the Internet or computers. Copies are $.25 each for black and white prints and $.50 each for colored prints. Prompt payment is required. Users wishing to download or save files may use their own flash drive or purchase one from the Library for $4.50 each. Personal software may not be loaded on Library computers.
- Internet use is on a next available terminal basis. Terminals may not be reserved for other persons and will not be held for persons who are not in the immediate vicinity when their name is called. Telephone reservations will not be taken. If a waiting list develops, a one-hour time limit from the time of check out will be enacted. So that the greatest number of people can have access, patrons who have already used the internet on a given day will be bumped from the waiting list if others who have not been on wish to sign up. Patrons who have previously used computer resources on a given day and recheck out a computer are allowed the one hour limit prior to being bumped. Latecomers forfeit their time if more than 10 minutes late.
- Users must end their session and leave the terminal when asked to do so by authorized library staff.
- Users shall respect the privacy of others and shall refrain from attempting to view or read material being used by others, as well as to censor or comment on what others are viewing.
- Users are warned that Internet access computers are not private, and that library personnel may access tracing files to maintain system integrity and to investigate suspected violations of law or policy.
- The library’s computers are set up for optimal usage by a single individual. With the exception of a minor, who may be accompanied by a parent or guardian during Internet access, only one user per computer terminal is permitted.
- Parents may file a waiver with the library which will permit a child to access the Internet without parental supervision. Parents will be held responsible for printing and other charges incurred by their children.
- Computers may be used only for educational, informational and recreational purposes.
- Any activity by a user that disturbs or distracts another user or staff member from his or her own library activity constitutes a violation of reasonable library behavior.
- Misuse of library computers will result in the loss of computer privileges, potential loss of library privileges, and possible prosecution. Such misuse includes, but is not limited to, using the computer for illegal activities, hacking into the library computer system or any other computer system, damaging or attempting to damage computer equipment or software, interfering with systems operations, integrity or security, gaining unauthorized access to another person’s files, sending harassing messages, altering or attempting to alter the library’s computer settings, and violating copyright laws and software licensing agreements.
- The first violation of the Rules of Conduct for Use of Library Computers will result in a warning. The second violation will result in the loss of computer privileges for three months from the date of the violation at all Dougherty County Public Library locations. A third violation will result in permanent loss of computer privileges at all Dougherty County Public Library locations for six months.
An Internet user whose access session has been terminated or whose Internet access has been suspended or prohibited shall have the right to appeal and/or request that Internet access privileges be reinstated. An appeal must be in writing and submitted to the Dougherty County Public Library System Director within five days of the termination or prohibition. Within ten days of receipt of the appeal, the Library System Director shall review the matter and notify the patron in writing of his/her decision. If the Library System Director’s decision is adverse to the patron, the patron may appeal in writing within five days to the Dougherty County Public Library System Board of Trustees, which shall thereafter consider the matter at its next regularly scheduled meeting, and issue its decision in writing within 30 days following that meeting. No further appeals shall be considered. Temporary or permanent denial of Internet privileges at any Dougherty County Public Library location will be effective at all Dougherty County Public Library facilities.