INTRODUCTION

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Sutton Free Library provides free public access computers in keeping with its mission to provide materials, services, and programs to meet the personal, educational and informational needs of community members of all ages. The public computers provide access to limited Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word), the Internet, personal Web-based e-mail messages (e.g., Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo), and to databases available through the New Hampshire State Library.

 

CHILDREN AND THE INTERNET

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Parents and/or guardians are expected to monitor and supervise their children’s use of the internet. As with other library materials, restriction of a minor’s access to the internet is the responsibility of the parent and/or guardian.
 

All children between the ages of 11 through 17 wishing to access the Internet must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or must have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian on file at the library granting them unsupervised access to the internet. Parents of children under age 11 must sign-in their child for internet use and be present in the library for the duration of that use. 

 

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERES

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Any patron visiting Sutton Free Library may use the public access computer.  Membership in the library is not required.

 

Before patrons may use the internet they must read the policies and procedures and sign a document stating that they understand and will abide by the policy and guidelines. Users will agree, by initially signing the Computer and Internet User Agreement Form, to obey all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing copyright, licensing and content restrictions. The library reserves the right to terminate or restrict the user’s internet privileges for abuse of these conditions.

 

Computer access will be provided during  regular library hours. Patrons may sign up with the librarian for thirty (30) minute blocks of time on the computer. Patrons late for their scheduled time may need to reschedule.

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Unreserved time may be used on a walk-in basis for thirty (30) minute blocks of time. Library scheduled use of the equipment takes precedence over individual use at all times.

 

When there is a problem with any equipment or materials the user will immediately report the problem to the librarian. The user will pay the repair or replacement cost of any equipment or materials lost or damaged as a result of carelessness or failure to inform the staff of the malfunction. Malicious damage will result in suspension of library computer access and/or prosecution on criminal charges.

 

Users should be aware that information may not be saved to the hard drive but can be downloaded to a portable storage device, i.e. USB “thumb drive”. 

 

We ask that you do not add or delete any programs and do not alter the appearances of these computers.

 

Users must end their computer session ten minutes before the library closes. Users must have all searching and printing completed before this time.

 

Printing is free under ten pages per day. Donations are requested if more than 10 pages are printed.

INTERNET 
 

Sutton Free Library provides open, unsecured wireless (WiFi) internet access that may be used by anyone using a WiFi-capable device. The library takes no responsibility for the security or content of materials transmitted, received or intercepted on this WiFi access.

 

Persons wishing to access the internet on the library’s public access computers must first complete a one time Computer and Internet User Agreement Form.

 

Children under the age of 18 must have the signed consent of a parent or guardian to use the internet on the library computers. The library staff will not monitor the child’s use of the internet (on the library computers or the child’s personal electronic device), or censor what they might find there. The parent or guardian takes full responsibility for supervising his/her child.

 

Limited assistance from library staff may be provided as time permits to acquaint computer users with accessing the internet.

 

Sutton Free Library draws from the N.H. State Library Association policies regarding use of the internet. Sutton Free Library has no control over the information accessed and cannot be held responsible for the content, accuracy or quality of the information retrieved on the internet. Unlike other library resources, the internet is not organized, catalogued or indexed.

 

Sutton Free Library has no control over materials found on the internet. Information available on the internet includes much that is personally, professionally and culturally enriching. However, due to the nature of the internet, not all information may be accurate, up-to-date reliable or complete. Sutton Free Library takes no responsibility for quality of information or images found  that may be offensive or disturbing to some individuals as well as to information that may be factually incorrect or illegal. 

 

Due to the imperfect nature of available internet filtering systems, Sutton Free Library does not use filters to limit access to internet content, or to protect users from information on the internet they may find offensive, controversial, or inappropriate. There is no guarantee of privacy while using the library’s internet connection. Library staff and patrons may view what is on the computer screen. Computer users must be considerate of other library  patrons and not cause offense or disturbance while using the computer. Library patrons personally affected by a disturbance/or material of another patron are requested to alert  library staff. In upholding this policy, library staff will ask the computer user to end their computer session and may be denied computer use in the future.

 

WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS

As a free wireless “Hot Spot,” patrons may connect to the internet with a personal wireless laptop, PDA or other portable device from within Sutton Free Library and on Sutton Free Library grounds.

 

Library staff may not able to provide technical assistance and no guarantee can be made that you will be able to make a wireless connection. Library staff are not permitted to make changes to a patron’s personal devices’, network settings, software/hardware configuration, or install any equipment, accessories or software onto a patron’s devices. Sutton Free Library is not responsible for hardware or software damage, or for loss or theft of unattended equipment.

 

The wireless connection is not secure. Since radio signals can potentially be intercepted, activity requiring transmission of credit card numbers, passwords and other personal information should be avoided. The wireless network is open and simultaneously connected computers are visible to each other and therefore vulnerable to other users’ viruses, malware and hacks. Users are responsible for maintaining up-to-date antivirus software and firewalls
 

ETHICAL USE

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All users of electronic information such as the internet are expected to use these resources in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided. It is unacceptable to use the library’s computer system and Internet resources for any of the following:
 

• For any purposes that violate applicable U. S. or state laws. Users must respect all copyright laws and licensing agreements pertaining to the software, files and other resources obtained via the internet.

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• Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to Sutton Free Library.

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• Disruption or interference of network users or services. Such interference or disruption includes, but is not limited to: distribution of unsolicited advertising; harassment, libeling, or slandering of others; propagation of computer worms or viruses.

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• Sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene by community standards.

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•  Sutton Free Library’s computers may not be used for any illegal purposes including unauthorized access, software piracy, or transmission of copyrighted materials without approval. Users are expected to engage in responsible, ethical use of the internet which includes not sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics which may reasonably construed as obscene or objectionable to library users or staff around them.

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Sutton Free Library staff reserve the right to uphold the library’s Public Access Computer Use and Internet Acceptable Use Policy. Misuse of the library computers or internet access, in accordance with this policy, may result in a patron’s loss of computer privileges and may also result in legal action.
 

Adopted by the Trustees of the Sutton Free Library, December 4, 2012.

Updated by the Trustees of the Sutton Free Library, March 5, 2019.