Internet and Computer Policy
The Stephenville Public Library’s goal is to meet the informational, recreational, cultural, and educational needs of all members of the community it serves, in a variety of formats. To expand our goal, we offer computers with Internet access to our patrons.
Responsibilities of Users
The Library maintains that the Internet is an unregulated medium and it has no control over the information accessed and cannot be held responsible for its content or accuracy. Patrons must evaluate the sources and question their validity for themselves.
Legal guardians are responsible for deciding which Library resources are appropriate for their children. Guardians should supervise their children's Internet sessions, as some resources may be deemed inappropriate.
U.S. Copyright law prohibits unauthorized reproduction or distribution of materials, except under "fair use." Users cannot distribute electronic materials without the copyright holder's permission and must make only authorized copies. Users are responsible for any copyright infringement consequences, and the Library disclaims any liability for such use.
Rules for Internet and Computer Usage
- Patrons must have a current library card and sign in at the circulation desk before using a computer.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian with a valid library card when using the computers. Children 12 and up may use a computer without a guardian, if the guardian has given them permission to do so.
- Patrons shall be financially responsible for any damage done to the computers. Guardians shall be financially responsible for any damage done by their children.
- Printing is allowed at a cost of $0.15 cents per sheet. It is the patron’s responsibility to check the length of the document before printing.
- Downloading to external media devices like flash drives is allowed, but saving directly to the computer is not. The Library is not responsible for equipment, Internet, or power failures.
- Misuse of the Library’s hardware or software, or using software not authorized by the Library is not allowed. Misuse includes but is not limited to the following: Saving personal files to the hard drive, purposefully introducing a virus into a Library computer, attempting to circumvent the Library’s computer security, duplicating copyrighted software from the Library’s computer, etc.
- Internet users may not access inappropriate or illegal materials including but not limited to material of an obscene nature or access materials that by local community standards would be objectionable. The library director reserves the right to determine what is to be considered objectionable.
Failure to use our computer/internet rules and policies appropriately and responsibly may result in revocation of computer/internet use.
