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Guided by our mission to bring together people, ideas and information, Howe Library is providing our community with access to the Internet. Electronic information and networking are new and rapidly changing areas of public and private activity. The Library recognizes that these developments pose challenges as well as new opportunities that are best addressed by adherence to the fundamental principles of traditional library use and the principles of a free society. Due to the unstructured and unregulated nature of the Internet, the Howe Library cannot control or monitor information on the Internet, nor can it be held responsible for any materials accessed through it. Because there is no guarantee that information posted on the Internet is accurate, it is essential for you to read with care. If you are in doubt, check the sources; your librarians will be glad to assist you in evaluating the site. Library staff will apply the selection criteria outli
The Howe Library will not use blocking or filtering software to limit access to Internet sites. However, on Internet computers, there is the option of using filtered search engines (which are not under the control of the Library) that provide access to pre-selected sites. The public library, unlike schools, does not serve in loco parentis (in place of a parent). Parents or other legal guardians are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet in the Library, just as they are for their use of materials in the Library’s own collections. We urge parents to supervise their children’s use of the Internet. This medium offers enormous amounts of information and unprecedented opportunities to learn, but its context is very unlike the selective and thoughtful atmosphere of the Library. You may use the Internet via the Library’s public computers for research, information gathering, and exploration. You may access the Library’s catalog (KnowHowe), the children’s catalog (KidsOnline), and also Library database subscriptions such as the Magazine and Newspaper Index, NoveList, NetLibrary and others through the Internet. If your email service has a web site and you have a password, you can access your account at the Library. For email, please use designated email computers, in order to leave regular computers free for other uses. We ask everyone to be aware of others who may be waiting to use a computer.
Game playing, while a feature of the Internet, is not a role of public access use at Howe Library. In order to make computers available for the purposes mentio
You may not download files or use your own software programs. You may not use the Library’s computers for any illegal purposes including unauthorized access, software piracy, or transmission of copyrighted materials without approval. You are expected to engage in responsible, ethical use of the Internet, which includes not sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene. Due to circumstances beyond our control, there may be times when access to the Internet is not possible. We remind users that confidentiality and privacy cannot be guaranteed when using email and the Internet. If you have basic questions about Internet access the Reference staff will be happy to help. Reference staff members are available for individual assistance with other Library resources and the Internet. The Library will offer workshops and may refer you to training sessions offered in the community. The Library also has many books and magazines about the Internet to provide you with further information. For drop-in use, Two computers may be reserved for specific times. The others are available on a first-come first-served basis. Reservations for a time slot of one hour will be taken in person or by phone. One computer is reserved for reference database use only. No more than two people may use a computer at a time. Game playing is not allowed on public computers. Exception: Game playing is allowed on computers in Teen area for limited time periods. Use designated email computers when available, in order to leave regular computers free for other purposes. Printing charge is 10 cents per page. Headphones are necessary for accessing audio files on public computers. The Library does not supply headphones. Please bring your own headphones. Laptop computers may be checked out for use in the library. To use a laptop computer, you must be 18 years of age or older and you must leave your valid driver’s license with the staff. Further information is available at the Circulation Desk. Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel are available on the public computers. You may print your document at 10 cents per page or you may save your work to a disk or USB flash drive but not to the hard drive on the computer. Disks may be purchased at the Library or you may use your own. Wireless (Wi-Fi) access to the Internet is available at Howe Library. If your computer is Wi-Fi enabled, you can connect to the Internet; no password is required. You are responsible for your own computer. Howe staff members will not adjust settings or make any changes to your computer. October 2005 |
