Public Computers Available

Library patrons have access to eight public computers in the Reference Room, all of which have Internet connections. Children and students 17 years of age and younger have reserved access for the six public computers in the Children’s Room, all of which have Internet connections. The Children’s Room computers also have educational children’s games.

Public Computer Programs Available

Each of the computers in the Reference Room utilize the Windows XP Professional operating system. Besides Internet access the Library’s public computers have the following programs. This is not an all inclusive list.

Adobe Acrobat Reader
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Power Point
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Word

Each computer in the Reference Room has the ability to print to the Konica Bizhub multi-function device. Printouts cost $ 0.20 per page. To obtain printouts contact the circulation desk after sending the print command.

Additionally, the Konica Bizhub provides the ability to scan documents to the computers in the Reference Room. Scanned documents are saved in Adobe .pdf format. This feature allows for attaching soft copy documents to emails.

Computers/Programs Available
Computer Use Policy
Internet Policy

Computer Use Policy

Eligibility
The use of the Oneida Public Library’s public computers is a privilege similar to borrowing library books and using its reference materials. The OPL welcomes all patrons in good standing to use its public computers. To be in good standing, you must have a current, valid Mid-York Library System card; no outstanding library fines or penalties over $5.00; and no restrictions in your library membership record.

The OPL also welcomes visitors without Mid-York Library System cards to use its computers, but they must check in at the Circulation Desk and provide a current, valid photographic identification card issued by a recognized authority in order to access one of the public computers.

The eight public computers in the Reference Room are reserved for adults 18 years of age and older, while the six public computers in the OPL Young Adults Room are reserved for the use of children and young adults [i.e., preschool children and elementary-, middle- and high-school students up to the age of 17 years].

Time Limits
With the OPL’s new automated system, you are free to sit at any open public computer and log on, but you are limited to computer use to ONE HOUR per day, whether you use the computer for one hour straight or over several sessions during the day. A clock in a corner of the screen keeps track of the time remaining in your session. You will be given a 5-minute and a 1-minute warning on the computer screen that your one-hour session is about to end. The computer will automatically close at the end of your one-hour limit and clear all records made during the session.

You may walk away from the computer while you are logged on, but if so, click on the toolbar “LOCK SCREEN” to preserve your place. The computer continues to clock your session and, after 10 minutes of inactivity, the computer will close out and clear as usual.

If you require more than one-hour per day for a special project, please contact the library director for a special computer reservation.

How To Log On
On the monitor of an available computer, you will see a log-on screen that asks for your Mid-York Library Card personal identification number. Log in by typing in your 13 number I.D. (do not type in the “A”). If you are a library-card holder in good standing, the computer will open as usual for program access.

If you wish to leave before your one-hour session is up, be sure to click “EXIT” to end your session.

Printing
All OPL public computers are hooked up to a printer located in the staff office. The OPL charges 20 cents per 8.5 by 11 in. sheet of paper.

Privacy
The OPL cannot ensure your privacy when you use an OPL computer. Remember that the computer terminals are in a public space in full view of all. Also, the World Wide Web, e-mail and other two-way Internet communications and transactions are not perfectly secure.

Code of Conduct
All patrons must use the OPL computers in a responsible, ethical and legal manner in line with the standards of the OPL and the community. Any patron who has disobeyed or disregarded the above rules and procedures or who has been discovered using an OPL computer for a malicious, criminal, obscene or indecent purpose—whether in language or image—will be denied the privilege of computer use:

1. First offense: loss of computer-use privileges for one (1) day;
2. Second offense: loss of computer-use privileges for one (1) week;
3. Third offense: loss of computer-use privileges forever.

Revised 21 August 2007

Back to Top

Internet Policy

The Oneida Public Library offers access to electronic resources, including the Internet, as part of its mission to provide services and materials in a variety of formats to meet the information, education and recreation needs of the community. The library considers its endorsement of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read documents to apply as well to access to and use of such electronic information.

The Internet is a global electronic network which enables libraries to provide resources, materials, and information beyond their doors. The New York State Education Department officially encourages libraries to provide access to electronic information. All libraries in the Mid-York Library System have been recognized by the State Education Department Electronic Doorway Libraries. The library's access to the Internet, including the World Wide Web, is provided through the Mid-York Library System. The Oneida Public Library and the Mid-York Library System do not warrant information found on the Internet to be accurate, authoritative, factual, timely, or useful for patrons purposes. The Internet is a global entity which does not fall under the control or governance of any single agency, government, or organization.

The availability of networked information via library terminals does not constitute the library's or Mid-York's endorsement of the content of that information. The library cannot control the accuracy nor the validity of the information, availability of links, nor the availability of material some may find offensive. If any patron believes that information obtained from the Internet is inaccurate or offensive, the patron should contact the original producer or distributor of the information.

It is the Oneida Public Library's policy that parents or legal guardians are responsible for monitoring what library materials and resources, including Internet access, are appropriate for their minor children, defined by New York State as under 17. Therefore, a parent or legal guardian may deny access to the Internet by informing the Oneida Public Library in writing and having the minor's library card so marked. Staff will inform any minor child with a marked card that a parent or legal guardian does not want the child to access the Internet at the library. As the library is a public place, it reserves the right to remove sexually explicit materials from the computer screen and to instruct the minor (under 17) to refrain from seeking similar sites. Failure to comply will result in loss of Internet privileges.

All users of electronic resources are expected to use these resources in a responsible and ethical manner consistent with the standards and rules of the library and of the community. Patrons may not use terminals for any illegal or criminal purpose, including but not limited to, violation of computer system security, unauthorized use of computer accounts or access codes, obstruction or disruption of other people's terminals to install or download software; violation of another user's privacy; or in any manner that is disruptive to other library patrons. The library reserves the right to enforce a time allowance of thirty (30) minutes per session. Printing will be limited to that which can be completed within the allotted time and may be stopped at the end of that time. The library staff is available to help users of the Internet but do not and cannot have complete knowledge of the Internet. The staff also has many other responsibilities.

The library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility, including copyright, arising from access to or use of information obtained through its electronic information systems, or any consequences thereof. Because of the current technology for graphic display and printing of Internet materials, and the necessity of placing the terminals in a public area, the library cannot guarantee patrons privacy. The library may deny or withhold computer/Internet privileges for infractions of these policies. This policy may be revised from time to time by resolution of the Board of trustees of the Oneida Public Library.

Back to Top

Revised by the Board of Trustees of the Oneida Public Library October 22, 1998 .