COMPUTER USE

Computers access is a service provided by the Washington County Public Library at the main library and all branch libraries. This technology enables patrons and staff to use commercial software applications (i.e. Microsoft applications, WinWay Resume) in the completion of tasks and assignments.

The same standards of intellectual freedom, privacy, and confidentiality endorsed by the American Library Association and incorporated in the Washington County Public Library policies for traditional media shall be applied to all electronic media.

Access:

• Patrons must sign in at the circulation desk before using the computer.
• Patrons age 8 and over may use library computer equipment, provided they operate equipment in an appropriate matter.
• Patrons under age 8 may not use library computer equipment unless a parent or guardian remains with them at all times.
• Patrons may save data to a floppy disk. Data is not to be saved to the hard drive.  Computers will be serviced regularly, and all extraneous data files will be removed.  Computer diskettes will be available for sale at a cost of $1.50 per disk.
• Patrons may print data. The cost for printing is $0.10 per page.
• Public access is limited to specific computers made available for public use. Use of other Washington County Public Library computers is limited to authorized personal. Restricted computers include (but are not limited to) online system computers and office and departmental computers.
• Computers are available for public use during normal library operating hours only.
• Computer use may be restricted at the discretion of library staff.

Unauthorized Use:

It is prohibited to:

• Use any Washington County Public Library computer as a staging ground to "crack" or "hack" any other computer system.
• Use any Washington County Public Library computer for illegal or criminal purposes including (but not limited to) duplicating copyrighted software.
• Obstruct other people's work by consuming gratuitously large amounts of system resources (disk space, CPU time) or by deliberately crashing any Washington County Public Library computers.
• Use any Washington County Public Library computer for income producing transactions, such as charging people for computer instruction using library computers and/or resources.
• Alter in any way the configuration of any Washington County Public Library computer, including (but not limited to) modifying the autoexec.bat, config.sys, and Windows settings (screen colors, screen savers, swap file settings, etc.).
• Connect any unauthorized device or disconnect any authorized device to the computer including (but not limited to) printers, keyboards, pointing devices, modems, etc.
• Install any software program.

Any patron caught "hacking" or making any unauthorized use of any computer in violation of laws, including (but not limited to) the Privacy Protection Act of 1974, The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, The Computer Virus Eradication act of 1989, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, The Virginia Computer Crimes Act, and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, may be prosecuted.

Staff Use of Computers:

Use of Washington County Public Library computers by staff is permitted to the extent that such activity is directly related to Washington County Public Library training activities or assigned work.  Computer usage for non-Washington County Public Library related work should be exercised with great discretion.  Personal/recreational computer use is permitted when conducted outside of working hours.

Use of Washington County Public Library computers during non-working hours in support of formal staff educational activities is permitted and encouraged when such activity does not interfere with libraries services, or other staff computer usage.

Under no circumstances should Washington County Public Library computers be used for income producing business.  Public computers may be used before or after working hours.