Public Access to the Internet is available to all users of the St. Joseph Public Library as an information and educational resource in support of the Library’s role as this community’s information and lifelong learning center.

The Library makes no guarantee, expressed or implied, with respect to the quality or content of the information available on the Internet. The library is not responsible for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from any individual’s use of an Internet access computer located in this facility.

Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users’ activities.

The Library respects the confidentiality of those using its electronic resources, and will release Library records only as required by law.

The Library will comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), including provision of filtered Internet access on all library computers. Persons under age 18 must have permission of a parent or legal guardian in order to use the Library’s Internet computers.

Users of the Library’s Internet access computers must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including laws governing copyright and the transmission and dissemination of information.

If patrons disregard the law in their use of the Internet at the library, the library will report the crime to the appropriate local enforcement agency and will cooperate with local enforcement officials in any manner authorized by state or federal law.

Persons who violate the Library’s Internet Use policy in any way will lose computer privileges as follows:
1st violation – 7 days
2nd violation – 30 days
3rd violation – 60 days

A person convicted of a criminal act involving one of the library’s computers will permanently lose his or her computer privileges at the library.

All users of the Internet are expected to use this library resource in a responsible and courteous manner, consistent with the purposes for which it is provided. This includes:
• Recognizing that the Internet must be shared and used in a manner which respects the rights of others and refraining from activity that prevents others from using it.
• Refraining from illegal, unethical use such as hacking, distributing unsolicited advertising, invading the privacy of others or misrepresenting oneself as another user.
• Refraining from damaging or altering the setup of the equipment (hardware), or attempting to modify or delete the installed software.
• Refraining from violation of software license agreements.
• Refraining from the deliberate propagation of viruses and worms.
• Refraining from intentional violation of another patron’s privacy, or any other harassing or defamatory activities.

The Library reserves the right to ask individuals to discontinue the display of information and images which may cause a disruption to other users as determined by the Library staff. .Accessing materials legally defined as sexually explicit or sexually suggestive or harmful to minors in the Michigan Library Privacy Act (PA 455 of 1982) will result in loss of computer privileges as outlined above.

Patrons are financially liable for any damage caused to library computer equipment or software by violations of this policy.

Use of computers is first-come, first-served.

Each user is limited to 60 minutes per day. If no one is waiting, that time may be extended. The library also offers an express station with a fifteen-minute time limit for users who are signing on for a quick e-mail check or a short and simple task, and a word processing station for persons who need an extended time period for writing purposes.

In the Children’s Library, children and teens have first priority for the use of available workstations. As such, an adult may be asked to relinquish a computer before the sixty-minute time limit if a child or teen needs access to a computer.

Staff will assist library users in getting started on the Internet. Users assume responsibility for learning to use the equipment. Time permitting, staff will try to answer specific questions and offer suggestions for effective searching.

Computer users are expected to pay at the current rate for all materials printed from the Internet stations. Exception: four free pages per day will be provided for students using the computers for research projects.

Each user will present ID (library card, school ID, or driver’s license), read the use policy, and sign a compliance agreement. A parental permission form shall be on file for all minors who sign on to the computers.

The computer centers will close 10 minutes prior to the closing of the library.


Revised 12/04/2003
Revised 03/2006