Guidelines for Computer Use

Public Access Computer Use

The library has computers available to patrons for word processing, checking your e-mail, accessing the Internet, etc. You must have a valid Daniel Boone Regional Library card in order to log on to these public access computers. Guest cards are available on a limited basis for patrons who live outside the service area. The library’s computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis only; they cannot be booked in advance. The computer workstations are designed for individual use. On occasion, two people may be allowed to use a computer together as long as they are not disruptive. There is no charge for using the computers, but there is a charge for printing; see the “Printing” section below.

Computers may be used by people of any age. Please note that anyone under age 18 must have a library card with a parent’s or guardian’s signature in order to logon to any computer. Although the library does not utilize filtering software, library staff can instruct patrons on how to use a filtered search engine upon request. There are computers designated for children in each library that do not have Internet access but, rather, feature a variety of software not found on the rest of the public computers to better meet children’s interests and needs. Preschool and primary school-age children who need help reading instructions or need other assistance to use any of the computers must have an adult present to supervise their use.

Because the library is a public space that is shared by people of all backgrounds and ages, including children, the library requires that you use the Internet computers in a responsible manner. This includes respecting the rights of others, not invading the privacy of others, and not engaging in any activity that is harassing as defined in the DBRL Rules for Behavior or that could reasonably be considered a violation of state or federal law. Failure to abide by these standards may result in a verbal warning, a written warning, loss of computer privileges or removal from the building.

Staff members are available to troubleshoot some basic problems you might encounter, but they are not available for one-on-one tutoring and cannot give in-depth instruction in the use of the computers, software, or the Internet. (The library offers a variety of computer classes for beginners that are free and open to the public.)

Time Limits

You are now limited to one hour of computer use per day at all libraries.

The exception to this is the computers at the Columbia Public Library designated for word processsing work. You may use these computers for up to two hours a day during the week and up to one hour a day on the weekends.

The computers will monitor your time and automatically shut down when your time limit is reached or when the library is closing. Your time is not counted per computer, but accrues with the use of any and all computer stations. You may not gain additional time by using another person’s card.

We also provide 30-minute computers in the Columbia and Southern Boone County libraries, for those who only need a computer for a short while. If you use one of these computers for 30 minutes, and you still need additional computer time, you MUST move to a regular one-hour computer to use the rest of your daily computer time. You will no longer be able to log onto any 30-minute computer once you have already used a half hour of computer time that day.

Software

The public access computers run Windows XP and are equipped with Microsoft Internet Explorer, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, quick links to several reference databases and a link to the library catalog. The computers in the Children's Area of the Columbia library also have Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia and educational games; they do not have access to the Internet.

Disk and Drives

You may not store personal files on the hard drives of any of the library’s computers. You must save any work you want to take with you to your own floppy disk or removable USB flash drive before your computer time is up. Most USB flash drives are compatible. You can purchase a floppy disk for 50¢ at the check-out desk. Because of security and virus concerns, you may not load or use personal software on the library’s computers. This may also mean that certain types of files and programs, including e-mail attachments, may not work or be accessible on our computers. You may use files or music on a CD you bring with you, but library computers cannot be used to record (save) files to CDs or DVDs.

Printing

There is a charge of 5 cents per page for printing on the black and white printer, regardless of whether you keep all of the pages or not.

Only the 8 1/2 x 11 (letter-sized) white paper provided by the library may be used in the printers. No printing of labels or envelopes is allowed. Please ask for assistance if you are having trouble printing or do not know how many pages will print. Since multiple computers print to a single printer, please pick up your printing each time you print. Please be sure to complete all print jobs before your computer time expires, and check to make sure everything has printed properly before you log out or close your document. When you are done printing, a library staff member will give you a receipt, which you need to pay at the check-out desk.

Color Printer (Columbia Public Library only)

There is a charge of $1 per page for color printing, regardless of whether you keep all of the pages or not. The same paper-use rules apply. Color printing is available only on the second floor and a staff member from the Reference Desk must assist you. (When printing in color, please be aware that the colors on any given monitor may be different from the printed document.)

Liability

Anyone using the library’s public access computers, hardware, software or documentation does so at his or her own risk. The library does not accept responsibility for injury to or loss of documents. Users are responsible for saving their own work and for asking for assistance if needed.

Costs of repairing or replacing damaged or stolen equipment or software may be passed on to the individual(s) responsible for the damage.

Notice

Violating the rules above, or any of the Library’s “Rules for Behavior,” and/or abusing other computer users, staff, hardware, or software may result in the loss of computer privileges.