Public Internet Access Policy

The Franklin Park Public Library District provides access to the Internet for Library District residents. This is in keeping with the Library’s role as a source of information, intellectual development, and enrichment for District residents.

The Internet enables the Library to provide information beyond the scope of its own collection. The Internet allows access to resources from around the globe that are personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages. While the Internet offers access to a wealth of material, the Internet also enables access to some material which may be offensive or illegal.

The Franklin Park Public Library District does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. It is the user’s responsibility to use the Internet wisely.

General Usage Rules

All users must accept the online Internet User Agreement. In the case of children under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian shall sign the Permission for Minors Agreement in the presence of a Library staff member. Although all the Library’s Internet computers are filtered, it must be noted that the use of filters does not guarantee the exclusion of all material a child or adult may find offensive.

Access is available during all hours that the Library is open to the public. Each patron is guaranteed one hour of Internet use per day. Patrons may extend time, demand permitting. Patrons may reserve a computer up to a day in advance.

The Library cannot guarantee access in the event of equipment failure or Internet outage.

The Library does not provide patrons with email service. Patrons may access their personal email accounts, use online chat programs, and play online games.

Printers are available for public use. Printouts are 10 cents per page for black and white, and 50 cents per page for color.

Library staff will attempt to provide limited computer assistance if needed. If patrons require more help, they are encouraged to sign up for the library’s computer tutorials, consult library materials for more information, or seek outside sources.

The Library is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal storage devices used on Library computers, nor is the library responsible for the damage done (or potentially done) by computer programs and/or computer viruses downloaded from the Internet.

Adult Services Internet Computers

Adult Services Internet computers are available for use by adults, high school students, or families only. For the purposes of this policy, family use of a computer is defined as an adult and a maximum of two children. In the case of family use, the adult is required to sign in as the user and must remain with the child or children for the entire session. Unattended grade school students must use the Internet computers in the Youth Services Department.

Adult library users must accept the online Internet User Agreement to use the computers. Adult residents without a library card must show proof of residency on a photo ID to be issued a Guest Pass.

A Franklin Park library card holder and a non-resident guest can share an Internet computer. The Franklin Park library card holder who initially signed up must remain at the computer and is held responsible for what happens during the session.

Franklin Park Police and Fire personnel may use the Internet computers at no charge. A Franklin Park Police or Fire photo ID or badge is required to be issued a Guest Pass.

Military personnel may use the Internet computers at no charge. A military photo ID is required to be issued a Guest Pass.

Youth Services Internet Computers

The Internet computers in the Youth Services Department may be used by grade school students, high school students, or families only. If all of the Internet computers are in use, high school students and families may be sent to use unoccupied computers in the Adult Services Department. Solo adults shall not use the Internet computers in the Youth Services Department. Children under 7 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Patrons must sign up at the Youth Services Department desk for each Internet session. Grade school students must have a library card to sign up. High school students and families are required to show a photo ID or Franklin Park Library card to sign up.

The information on the photo ID or Library card will be checked against Circulation Department records to determine if a patron is in good standing. If a patron is not in good standing with the Circulation Department, the rules listed in the "Restrictions" section of this policy shall apply.

Patrons using the computers for homework have first priority. The Youth Services Department prohibits Internet games and online chat programs Monday through Thursday after 4:00 p.m.

Non-Resident Internet Users

Non-residents may use the Library’s Internet computers if they are not in use by other Library patrons. Non-residents must accept the online Internet User Agreement. Non-resident minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who is required to sign a Permission for Minors Agreement. Non-residents will receive a half-hour free of charge and be charged $1.00 for every hour of use after that if they wish to extend their time.

Express Computers

Internet access is available for Franklin Park residents and non-residents on the Express Computers for up to a half hour at no charge. Users must be 18 years of age or older or be in high school and have a parent or guardian sign the Permission for Minors Agreement. Non-residents are issued only one 30-minute Guest Pass each day. Patrons must ask for a Guest Pass at the Adult Services Desk or use their Franklin Park Library card to log in. All users must accept the online Internet User Agreement. These computers are programmed to log off after each 30-minute session and time will not be extended. Patrons requiring more time than 30 minutes must use the Adult Services Internet computers and are subject to the rules outlined in the foregoing sections of this policy. Exceptions will be made for those completing online job applications. In this case, time may be extended until the application process is completed.

Restrictions

If a patron is not in good standing with the Circulation Department, his/her Internet privileges may be restricted or terminated. Patrons whose records show them owing $3.00 or more are not allowed to use the Internet at the sit-down stations until their fees are paid.

Wireless Internet Access

The Library offers free wireless Internet access to all patrons with their own laptop computers and/or other wireless devices. Wireless Internet access falls under the same rules as the Library’s Public Internet Access Policy.

Patrons will need their own laptop/notebook computer or other wireless device with 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n wireless networking. The Library does not provide equipment or wireless cards, and does not guarantee the compatibility of equipment with the wireless network. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the library building, but there may be spots where connectivity is weak or non-existent.

The wireless Internet access provided by the Library is filtered. The use of filters does not guarantee the exclusion of all material a child or adult may find offensive. Parents or guardians are responsible for the monitoring and restricting of a minor’s use of the Wireless Internet access.

The Library’s wireless network is not secure. Information sent from a laptop/notebook computer or other wireless device may be intercepted by anyone else with a wireless device and corresponding software. The Library is neither responsible if any data is intercepted nor for the consequences that may result. It is up to the user to take the proper precautions when sending personal and financial information online.

The Library is not responsible for any loss or damage to laptop/notebook computers or other wireless devices, and any changes made to their configurations, security or files that may occur when using wireless Internet.

Library staff does not provide technical assistance for wireless Internet access and there is no guarantee that a patron will be able to connect to the wireless network at the library. If a patron requires more help, he or she is welcome to examine print and online library materials for more information.