Baxter County Library
Computer Use Policy
Baxter County Library is pleased to offer its patrons computer access to the Internet as an extension of its commitment to meeting the informational needs of the community. Access to the Internet is intended primarily as an education and research resource. Priority will be given to customers who want to use a computer for these purposes. All public access computer users will be required to have his or her own valid library card if he or she lives within 60 miles of the Baxter County Library. This is the only logon number they are permitted to use. Visitors living outside the area may use guest passes that are available at the Reference Desk.
Library patrons use the Internet at their own discretion. The Internet is a global, digital network with no centralized control over its users or content. Information on the Internet may be reliable and current; or it may be inaccurate, out-of-date, or unavailable at times. The Library has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content; it is the patron’s responsibility to critically evaluate all the information accessed.
The Library disclaims any warranty as to the quality or accuracy of electronic information via the Internet. The Library shall have no liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages related to the information contained therein. The Library does not guarantee privacy or confidentiality for the use of Library Internet stations.
As with other library materials, restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. Although the library filters access to pornographic and sexually explicit web sites, filtering software is not guaranteed to protect a child from access to information that a parent/guardian may find inappropriate. Library staff cannot take responsibility for the care of the unattended child.
Library staff can assist customers in using the Internet to locate information they need. Because of other customer service responsibilities, staff cannot provide extended training or technical support for computer users. Library staff cannot assist customers in setting up, configuring, or troubleshooting their wireless computers or other devices.
The library does not provide e-mail accounts; however, patrons may use the library’s public access computers to access web based e-mail accounts. E-mail is not guaranteed to be private.
Patrons may use computers on a first come, first served basis. However, during times of heavy demand, the library reserves the right to limit the time of each user.
Patrons are responsible for all printing from computers. The charge for printing is $.10 per page.
Users may not:
Displaying, sending or receiving material inappropriate for viewing in a public place is prohibited by Arkansas State Code 5-68-205. Inappropriate material is defined as pictures or text which could reasonably be construed as obscene or pornographic, as defined by Arkansas State Code 5-68-302.
In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) decision by the Supreme Court on June 23, 2003, the Baxter County Library has installed a content filter for all public access computers in the library.
In accordance with Arkansas State Code 13-2-103(a)(3), the Baxter County Library must require all users to signify their agreement with this policy before accessing the Internet at any of the library’s public access computers.
Violation of these policies can result in immediate and permanent cancellation of user privileges.