Policies

Birchard Public Library of Sandusky County Internet Access Policy

Access to the Internet and electronic resources

In keeping with the library's objective to provide our patrons with free and equal access to information,
regardless of the format and media in which the information is presented, Birchard Public Library provides
public access to the Internet and other electronic resources. Birchard Public Library subscribes to the
American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, including its Access to Electronic Information Services and Networks.

Use Policies

To use an Internet computer at Birchard Public Library, a patron must:

have a valid Birchard Public Library card or other Clevnet Library card and register at the
main library Information Desk to be included in the Internet User database; or
obtain a temporary user number at the reference desk; or
if using a branch Internet computer, must sign the Internet Access Policy Agreement.

A parent or guardian may give standing permission for a child (under age 18) to use the Internet by signing the Internet Access Policy Agreement in person at the library. Alternatively, a parent/guardian may give temporary verbal permission in person for their child to use a temporary user number. In any case, children in the second grade or younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian while using these resources.

Users of the library's public computer networks and wifi agree to hold Birchard Public Library harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations or liabilities, directly or indirectly relating to the use of the Internet and the library computers. All use is at the sole risk of the user.

The following uses of the Internet, including wifi, at the library are prohibited:

Access to and/or display of obscene language and sexually explicit graphics and materials as defined in sections 2907.01 and 2907.31 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Violations of the copyright law of the United States (Title 17 U.S. Code);
Violations of any other local, state, or federal statute;
Violations of any software licensing agreements.

Users of these resources shall not:

use another person's card number;
attempt to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others;
seek unauthorized access to the library computer system;
install software on any library computer;
damage, alter, install, or reconfigure any components of any software, network, or database, or
otherwise misuse the library's computers, digital devices, the Internet or other electronic resources.

Violations of this policy and the "Rules for library computer use" will result in the loss of electronic resource privileges. Any objections on the part of the patron may be filed as a complaint in the Library's normal procedure.

Revised by the Board of Trustees - June 18, 2008 - Resolution 39-08, Feb. 21, 2017

Rules for library computer use

Patrons at main library must login and logout the computers using their Library card barcode number and PIN.
Ask for assistance, if needed.
Only one person at a time may use a computer unless authorized by the librarian on duty.
Patrons at main library may use an Internet computer for one hundred twenty (120) minutes per day. Additional time may be authorized depending on the availability of computers.
All Internet computers will be turned off 15 minutes before the Library closes.
Patrons at main library are required to relinquish use of the computers 60 minutes before scheduled classes in the computer room.
Patrons may bring in their own flash drives or other storage media for downloading and saving information.
A printer is available and is located at the Information Desk. Copies are $.10 per page.
Because the Library staff must be available for other patron questions, staff can spend only a limited amount of time assisting users with library computers and the Internet. Users who are unfamiliar with computers and the Internet are encouraged to sign up for one of the Library's free computer classes. Schedules will be posted.
The Library reserves the right to end a computer session at any time for any reason.
Any violation of the Internet Access Policy will result in loss of privileges for a period of time and may result in loss of Library privileges as well, depending on the nature of the violation(s). Typically, a violation of a law or statute, for example, the obscenity statute, will result in the loss of internet privileges for 6 months for a first offense or for a longer period of time for a second offense. Violation of this policy in combination with another offense, such as not heeding the ban or another behavioral issue may result in the loss of library privileges.
The Library does not guarantee the availability of the computers and Internet access and will not be held responsible for any losses or problems that may result from sudden computer failure or loss of Internet access.
Cell phone use while using the computers is discouraged.
Computers may not be moved.