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.
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