Computer Policy

The U.S. Library Program of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation works in partnership with public libraries to provide access to computers, the Internet and digital information for patrons in low-income communities in the United States. The Kings County Library became a participant in this program in the spring of 2000. Through the generosity of the Gates Foundation, the Kings County Library has received new personal computers (PCs) for the use of patrons in each branch library. The number of PCs received by each branch was determined by the Gates Foundation and was based on community population and other criteria.

The Gates PCs provide access to the Internet and a wide variety of computer applications. These applications include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft PowerPoint, Encarta Encyclopedia, Encarta Africana, Streets and Trips, and many educational programs (including Dr. Seuss, Barney, and the Magic School Bus).

The use of these new PCs will be a growing process for staff and patrons alike. We would ask that you please try to be patient with us as we work to develop the best possible guidelines for PC use. The current policies and procedures will always be available on this page.

Scheduling: All Gates PCs must be scheduled. Time may be reserved in 60 minute blocks, with a maximum of one hour per patron, per day. Patrons who exceed this limit or prove difficult may lose this privilege. A library card is required for PC use, and must be presented at the circulation desk for verification. Patrons must clear all fines and charges before use.
Chat Rooms: Chat rooms are not supported by the Kings County Library. Patrons found using chat rooms may lose PC privileges.
Downloading: Downloading files from the Internet is not permitted.
E-mail: E-mail is now supported by the Kings County Library.
Headphones: Headphones are available upon request. They must be checked out with a library card. NO EXCEPTIONS! Headphones are cleaned after each usage. Patrons who damage or abuse headphones may lose all PC privileges, and will be charged for damages incurred.
Internet Access: The Kings County Library Internet policy was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on 14 December 1999:
"Kings County Library access to the World Wide Web is for reference and research only. This policy applies to all library users. Parents may ask to restrict children under the age of 18 years from using the Library's Internet workstations.
Use of the Library's Internet workstations requires registration for use by patrons who have a valid library card. Patrons are permitted one, 60-minute block of time per day. Please consult the library staff for further information."
Printing: Printing is now available in all branch libraries. Patrons will be charged 15 cents per printed page for ALL items printed. Printing is only available on standard letter-sized paper. We cannot print on legal size, envelopes, card stock, transparencies, or other non-standard materials.
Printing on the Internet: Printing is now available in all branch libraries. Patrons will be charged 15 cents per printed page for ALL items printed. We would warn our patrons that a single Internet webpage is not equivalent to a sheet of paper. A single webpage can easily result in seven or eight printed pages--a charge of a dollar or more. (For example: The page you are currently reading would require two sheets of paper to print--a cost of 30 cents.) Furthermore, a screen does not equal a page of paper. When you print on the Internet, you are printing the contents of the webpage--NOT the screen! Pressing the print button more than once will print a document a second time, third, or fourth time. Patrons WILL BE CHARGED for duplicate pages. WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO TALK TO THE STAFF PRIOR TO PRINTING ANY ITEMS.
Quick Cards: Some of the productivity applications have quick help cards, including Microsoft Word. Ask the staff if you are interested in a particular application.
Saving Files: Patrons are now allowed to bring outside disks for use on Library PCs. Files created in some of the applications may be saved to a 3.5 inch floppy disk. It can be kept by library staff for repeated use.