Wifiis now available @ your library!

BEGINNING IN AUGUST 2010, the library will be adding your photo to your library record. If you wish to check out library materials or use the library's computers, you must have your South Plainfield Public Library card with you, and your photo ID on record.

All non-residents must now pay $2.00 per hour or part of an hour to use a library computer. See details below.

 

COMPUTER USE &
INTERNET ACCESS POLICY

  1. ANYONE wishing to access the Internet or use computer programs on the South Plainfield Public Library's computers must have a valid South Plainfield Public Library card with them when they come to the library. In August 2010, the library will begin adding patron photos to library records. If you wish to use a library computer, we must have your photo ID on file. Before using a library computer, you will be required to present your library card to a library staffperson to verify your identity. If face and card do not match, you will not be allowed to use a computer.
    • Adults who live in South Plainfield must get a South Plainfield Public Library card, and must sign a Computer Use Agreement form, in order to use a library computer. By signing the Computer Use Agreement form, you agree to abide by the library's rules.
    • Adults who do not live in South Plainfield must get a South Plainfield Public Library card, and must sign a Computer Use Agreement form in order to use a library computer. By signing the Computer Use Agreement form, you agree to abide by the library's rules. Nonresidents must pay $2.00 per hour or part of an hour to use the Internet.
    • Guest passes for internet use may be provided, at the discretion of the library staff, for nonresidents who come to the library very infrequently. Nonresidents who come to the library often must get a library card in order to use a library computer. To get a guest pass, you must present a valid photo I.D. to a library staffperson. The fee for a Guest Pass will be $2.00 per hour or any part of the hour.
  2. Anyone under 18 must have written parental approval to use a library computer. A parent or legal guardian must sign the Computer Use Agreement form in the presence of a library staff member. The parent will be given a copy of the South Plainfield Public Library Computer Policy. By signing the form, you take responsibility for your child knowing and abiding by the library's rules.
    • Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a parent to use a library computer, and must have a library card and photo ID on record. The parent/guardian must remain with the child while they are using the computer.
    • Users who do not bring their own library card to the library will not be able to access the Internet or use computer programs on the library's computers. When library staff asks to see a minor's library card, they must show it or they will not be allowed to use the computers.
    • Parents who give permission for their children to use the library's computers should be aware that the library staff cannot supervise children's use of the Internet. While the Internet offers many useful, informative, and entertaining resources, it also contains material that may be inaccurate, inflammatory, offensive, inappropriate for children, and even, in some cases, illegal. The library does not monitor and has no control over the vast number of sites available on the Internet, and cannot be responsible for its content. We strongly urge parents to supervise their children's use of the Internet, whether at home or at the library.
    • The library does NOT use filtering software; children whose parents have signed the Computer Use Agreement form will have unrestricted access to all non-filtered Internet sites.
  3. Patrons owing $25.00 or more in library fines will have their computer privileges blocked.
  4. Use of library computers for research and educational purposes takes precedence over all other uses. No games are allowed on public Internet computers unless deemed educational and approved by a Librarian.
  5. Anyone using My Space or Facebook will have their computer session terminated by staff for the remainder of the day. Repeated use of these sites will result in suspension of computer privileges.
  6. Computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If all computers are being used by others when you wish to use a computer, please let the library staff know you are waiting.
  7. Computer access is granted in 30-minute increments for a maximum of two hours per day. Renewal of time is at the discretion of the Librarian. Between 2:30 - 6:00 p.m on any day that school is in session, computer time will be limited to 60 minutes, with NO renewals. Warning messages will appear on the screen 10 minutes, 5 minutes, and 1 minute before the end of your online session.
  8. Any work saved to the desktop will be automatically deleted at the end of your session. All work must be saved to a disk, flash drive, or a CD (NOTE: some computers do not have floppy drives). The staff cannot recover deleted work.
  9. Computers will automatically shut down 10 minutes before the library closes. If you have not saved your work before the shutdown begins, it will be automatically deleted. Staff cannot override the new system.
  10. Users assume complete financial responsibility for any damage they or their children may cause to computer hardware or software. Users are not to tamper with library computers in any way.
  11. Your computer use privileges will be revoked if you allow anyone else to use your barcode number to log on to a computer. You will also be held responsible for any damage to library equipment caused by another person logging on to a computer with your barcode number. Minors may not use a parent's barcode to log on to a computer, unless the parent is present to supervise the minor's activities. If your library card is lost or stolen, please report it to us at once so we can stop anyone else from using your card or barcode number.
  12. You may not log on to more than one computer at a time.
  13. Due to limited space, only one person at a time may sit at any computer. Coats, purses, book bags, etc. must be placed underneath the computer desk.
  14. There is a per-page fee of $.10 for black & white printing and $.50 for color printing. Pick up and pay for your printouts at the circulation desk. Please be careful when printing, as you will have to pay for every page you print. If you need help with printing, please see the reference librarian.
  15. Users are expected to respect the privacy of other computer users. This includes not representing oneself as another user, not stealing or modifying passwords, not trying to gain access to someone else's data or search history, and not "hovering" behind other users while waiting for a computer.
  16. The library cannot guarantee the privacy or security of information transmitted via library computers. We urge all Internet users to be very cautious in using library computers to transmit important personal information such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, etc. The library assumes no responsibility for any financial or other losses which may result from the use of library computers.
  17. Time permitting, library staff will try to help with basic computer problems, but we cannot offer extensive computer instruction except at library-sponsored computer classes.
  18. The following misuse of library computers is prohibited and will result in the suspension or loss of the privilege to use them:
    • Use of chat rooms or instant messaging (use of AIM Express and access to e-mail ARE permitted);
    • Any physical tampering or damage to computer hardware or software;
    • Any alterations to or tampering with the set-up or security protections on library PCs (including alterations to the PC Desktop, wallpaper or homepage);
    • Use of library computers to send e-mail 'spam' messages;
    • Unauthorized access to any network, database, or computer system;
    • Display of graphic pornography. Such displays are inappropriate in a public building, and may be considered sexual harassment;
    • Any uses or behavior which interferes with other users or library activities;
    • Any other uses which violate local, state, or federal law, including copyright law.

NOTE: To assist users in finding good information on the Internet, we offer several web directories on our website, including:

For our adult patrons

and for children & teens

In creating these directories, the South Plainfield Public Library staff has attempted to choose the best websites available, but we cannot be responsible for accuracy of information at these sites. We have also attempted to choose only 'child-safe' websites for our 'Homework Links' and 'KidStuff' pages, but because websites change frequently, and may contain links to many other sites, we cannot guarantee child-safe content. We strongly encourage parents to supervise their children's use of the Internet, at home or at the library.

Please use all information gathered over the Internet with caution.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees

The South Plainfield Public Library also offers computers and printers for public use with various software programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint.