Internet Usage

Purpose for providing Internet Access

Access to the Internet at the Walled Lake City Library is provided to the community as an additional source of information, and as a research tool.

The Internet allows users to connect to networks of resources outside the Library. The Internet makes available a wide variety of material, most of it useful and worthwhile, but some Internet sites are unsuitable for children and offensive to many adults. Unfortunately, we cannot filter out such sites without also eliminating access to many good resources.

 The Walled Lake City Library has no control over these resources nor does the Library have complete knowledge of what is on the Internet.  The Library does not select or edit Internet content.  Information on the Internet may be reliable and current or it may be inaccurate, out-of-date, or unavailable at times.  Library patrons use the Internet at their own discretion.  The Internet contains some material that is inappropriate for viewing or reading by children.  Parents are expected to monitor and supervise their children’s use of the Internet; the Library’s staff is not in a position to provide this monitoring and supervision. 

Filtered Internet access

There is one filtered workstation in the Library that is designed to be used by children.  Use of this workstation is not timed or monitored and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Staff assistance

The Library staff provides limited assistance for basic start-up procedures only.  Books and manuals are available in the collection for more detailed information.

Procedures and time limits

Internet use requires a valid library card from any library affiliated with The Library Network (TLN) to log into the workstations.  Expired and blocked library cards will not work.  Upon initially logging into an Internet station, users receive a 1-hour session.  At the end of the first hour, if the demand for Internet stations is under 80% of available resources, time will be extended to another 1-hour session, up to 3 hours total per day.

Non-residents without a library card from a TLN library may be issued a visitor's pass.  Visitor's passes are good for a single 1-hour session.  If usage is low, visitor's passes may be re-issued for additional time. 

Internet users under the age of 18 must have written parental approval on file at the Walled Lake City Library and present a valid library card, with no stops due to fines or unreturned materials.

Internet users under the age of 12 must have a responsible adult present and nearby to monitor the child’s use of the Internet.

Due to limited space, only two people may work at an Internet workstation at one time.

Internet computers will be shut down 5 minutes prior to the Library closing time.

Internet computers are located in a public area, which is shared by patrons of all ages. Internet users are asked to consider this when accessing potentially controversial information or images. Library policy prohibits the use of sites that may reasonably be construed as obscene, and individuals who access such sites may lose their internet privileges.

Internet users may not alter the setup of the software used to access the Internet, download to the computers’ hard drive, or load any personal software.  Computer users will be held responsible for any damage they cause to the computers.

Internet computers may be used only for legal purposes and Internet users are required to comply with United States Copyright law.

Printing

A printer is available for public use at $.10 per page for black-and-white and $.25 per page for color.  Internet users are expected to correctly configure their own printing options (page orientation, range of pages, number of copies, etc.) before sending their print jobs to the printer.  Questions about printing options should be directed to Library staff before printing. 

Adopted: January 27, 2006