Rules for the Use of Public Access Computers
Public access computers are an integral part of library services provided by the Sharon Public Library. The utilization of these machines by the public constitutes the same kind of use as any other library material. As library users are responsible for lost or damaged books, videos, magazines, etc, the library user assumes all responsibility for the use and care of the computer when it is being used by them. Computers available for public use include the public access catalog terminals, the word processing workstation, CD-ROM workstations for reference sources, Internet workstations, and multimedia learning stations in the children’s department.
All other public access computers are on a first-come-first-served basis with possible time restrictions should others be waiting to gain access. Users of the CD-ROM workstations located in the reference department are limited to 30 minutes when others are waiting with the exception of the Internet Express terminals which are on a first-come-first-serve basis but with a 10-minute time restriction.
The Public Access Catalogs (PACs) are intended for use as a reference tool. Library users may use the PACs to search the library catalog, access the Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) via the Internet to search various reference databases, and to gain access to any other database that the Library has provided direct access. The use of PACs is limited to 15 minutes when others are waiting.
The public access computers may be reserved in person or by telephone at the adult circulation desk for the word-processing and Internet workstations and at the children’s circulation desk for the multimedia learning workstations. Time restrictions are as follows:
Internet/Wordprocessing and Children’s Multimedia Learning Workstations: Users may reserve up to two (2) one-half hour blocks of time.
Internet Express Workstations: 10-minute time restriction and NO reservations allowed.
Users are required to leave the workstation when their block of reserved time has expired. If a workstation is unreserved, a user may sign up for a maximum of two additional blocks of time; the user may reserve this additional time in one-half hour increments as to allow for possible use by other users. A user is not to exceed two (2) hours of use on the Internet and Children’s Multimedia Learning Workstations and four (4) hours of use on the Word-processing Workstation in any one calendar day.
A public access computer requiring reservations may be reserved up to one week in advance.
A person who does not arrive within 10 minutes of his/her reserved time forfeits the reservation. Persons who reserve a public access computer, then repeatedly fail to use it, may have their reservation privileges denied. The senior circulation staff person on duty has the discretion to reassign a public access computer when the requester has not arrived within 10 minutes of the reservation time.
Computer workstations may not be used by more than two (2) individuals at any given time.
Users shall not escape to the computer’s operating system (Windows or DOS).
Users are prohibited from uploading, installing, setting up, running or executing any software not authorized by the library on any of the library’s computers.
Users may print to attached printers at a charge of $0.05 per page.
Users shall not download any files or applications from the Internet to the hard drive. Any downloads shall be to a floppy disk supplied by the user.
Users shall not store data and/or files on any library computer hard disk. Any such files will be periodically discarded.
Abuse of the above stated rules and/or use of these machines for any purpose other than their intended use constitutes misuse of library materials and may result in the library user having his/her library privileges revoked.
Any other interference or tampering with library computers will not be tolerated. Massachusetts law makes theft or mutilation of library materials or property a crime. Any person who willfully alters or destroys library ownership, electronic or catalog records; or mutilates, destroys or otherwise damages, in whole or in part, any library materials or property may be punished upon conviction by imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $25,000 and required to make full restitution.
| 
