Computer Use and Internet Safety Policies:

• Adults age 18 and up may use the computers in the adult area. Young adults age 13-17 must use the computers in the Young Adult area. Children 12 and younger must use the computers in the Children’s Room. Both adults and young adults may use the express computer in the adult computer area.

• All computer users must have an Altadena library card to sign-up for a computer.

• Anyone under the age of 18 must have a signed Internet User Agreement for and an Altadena Public Library Card.

• Computer users may sign-up for a maximum of two hours per day for word processing and/or Internet access.

• Adult and young adult computers shut-down 15 minutes before the library closes. Anything saved on a computer will be lost or deleted when your allotted time ends.

• Abuse or misuse of equipment, software, or policies will be grounds for suspension of all library and computer privileges.

• It is the policy of the library to prevent access to or transmission of inappropriate material via the Internet or other electronic communications.

• Downloading or viewing graphic material of an adult nature on library computers is strictly prohibited. Anyone accessing pornography in the library will be permanently banned from using the computers.

• Computers are assigned as available.

• Use of the computers is free, but printing costs $0.15 per page.

Floppy diskettes and CD-RWs may be purchased at the Reference Desk.
Floppy Disks $1.00 Flash Drives $12.00 - $15.00
CD-RWs $1.50

• To provide privacy for users, only the signed-in user is allowed at the workstation.

• Patron can only use his/her own library card to sign-in and use the computer.

• The library is not responsible for reimbursement of print credits on lost or stolen library cards.

• The library is not responsible for reimbursement of print copies made in error.

• Only Children ages 3-12 may use the children's computers (parents may sit beside their children).
• Children must have a library card to sign-up for a computer.
• Parents must sign a Parental Internet User Agreement Form in order for children to use the computers.
• Children may sign-up for the computer for 2 one hour sessions per day.
• Printing costs $0.15 per page.
• Floppy Diskettes, CD-RWs, and Flash Drives may be purchased at the Adult/Young Adult Reference Desk
• Floppy Disks $1.00
• CD-RWs $1.50
• Flash Drives $15.00
• If children are disruptive, they may be asked by staff to not use the computers the rest of the day.
• No food, drink, or gum at the computers.
• Computers shut down 15 minutes before the library closes. Please save your work on a disk or e-mail a copy to yourself. Anything saved on the computer will be lost when your allotted time ends.

The Altadena Library District provides access to the use of the Internet to the community. The library has computer stations in the Adult/Young Adult and Children's areas, as well as in the Branch Library. All have Internet access with a laser black and white networked printer.

The following policy is to establish the appropriate use of the Altadena Library District Internet connection and computer network and prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity.

STATEMENT OF POLICY

It is the policy of Altadena Library District to: (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications: (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent un-authorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) [Sec. 1701-1741 of Title XVII Of the United States Code]

ACCESS TO INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL

To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “internet filters”) shall be used to block or filter Internet, or other forms of electronic communications, access to inappropriate information. Specifically, as required by the CIPA, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors. (For definitions of these terms, please see the Reference Desk for a copy of the act.)

INAPPROPRIATE NETWORK USAGE

To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Altadena Library District online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other form of direct electronic communications. Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes (a) unauthorized access, including so-called ‘hacking,’ and other unlawful activities, and (b) unauthorized disclosure, usage, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

AGE REQUIREMENTS

Internet users must be at least 3 years of age. Those younger may use the computer if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a signed Parental Internet User Agreement Form. A parent or guardian must come into the library to complete the consent form. Those under 18 years of age must show this card before each use of the Internet to receive normal Internet reservation privileges. The card is never to be loaned to anyone else for Internet access. In lieu of a parental permission slip, a parent or legal guardian of an underage user may come into the library to give verbal temporary permission for Internet usage for that day only.

USE OF E-MAIL

The library does not provide direct access to e-mail. Patrons may obtain individual web-based e-mail accounts by accessing free commercial services on the Internet.

DOWNLOADING OR VIEWING GRAPHIC MATERIAL OF AN ADULT NATURE ON LIBRARY COMPUTERS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. DOING SO WILL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE REVOCATION OF THE USER'S INTERNET PRIVILEGES AND MAY RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF LIBRARY AND INTERNET PRIVILEGES. THE DISTRICT LIBRARIAN WILL DETERMINE THE LENGTH OF SUSPENSION. SUSPENSION CAN BE APPEALED TO THE ALTADENA LIBRARY DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

The following rules of conduct have been established in order to ensure the rights of all people to use the facilities of this free public library in a clean, pleasant and safe environment.

The following are prohibited at any Altadena Library District Facility:

• Engaging in any activity prohibited by law.
• Smoking in the library.
• Eating or Drinking, except in areas designated for those purposes.
• Use of loud, abusive, threatening or insulting language.
• Disruptive or unsafe behavior including any conduct that interferes with the use of the library by others or with the functioning of library staff.
• Using the public restrooms as bathing facilities
• Activities and/or behavior that may result in injury or harm to any library patron or staff member or damage to library property, including making any attempts to damage computer equipment or software configurations.
• Animals, except for guide/assistance dogs and those sanctioned as program participants.
• Petitioning, soliciting or selling merchandise without the express permission of the District Director.

In addition, the following also apply to the rules of conduct:

• The library district is not responsible for children who are left unattended in or on the grounds of the library district facilities.
• Only one person is allowed at each public computer workstation.
• The library district is not responsible for personal items that are lost, stolen or damaged in or on the grounds of the library district facilities.
  

The Altadena Library District reserves the right to restrict the use of its facilities and premises to persons who do not abide by the District's Rules of Conduct. District staff may ask persons who are exhibiting inappropriate behavior to modify their behavior. Noncompliance with the District's Rules of conduct may result in an individual being required to leave the library premises or in arrest and prosecution

The Altadena Library District, as a public institution, is devoted to serving the needs of patrons of all ages. The Library staff, however, cannot assume responsibility for the safety and conduct of children left unattended. Parents are advised that:

1. Children aged nine and under shall be attended and adequately supervised by a responsible person (parent, guardian, other caregiver, or mature adolescent age fourteen or older). The responsible person must remain in the immediate vicinity of the child at all times and is responsible for the child’s activity and behavior during his/her visit.

2. If a child in this age group is found unattended, the Library staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver in the Library and inform him/her of this policy. If the parent/caregiver is not found within fifteen (15) minutes, the child will be asked for the names and phone numbers of people who can pick him/her up at the library. If no responsible adult is reached or the child is not picked up within fifteen (15) additional minutes, Library personnel may notify the sheriff to assume custody of the child. The child will be required to sit in a monitored location until the parent/guardian/other designated adult or the police pick him/her up.

3. At Library closing time, children up to the age of seventeen who do not have transportation home will be asked for the names and phone numbers of people who can pick them up. If no responsible adult is reached, or the child is not picked up within fifteen (15) minutes, after the Library closing, Library personnel may notify the sheriff to assume custody of the child. Two staff members will wait with the child until the parent/guardian/other designated adult or the police pick him/her up.

1. Patrons must be 14 years or older and present a valid library card to borrow videocassettes and DVDs. Patrons aged 14-17 years also need a Video/DVD Permission Form signed at the libraryby a parent or guardian.

2. Videos and DVDs may be checked out for one week with no renewals and a limit of 25 at one time.

3. The patron in whose name videocassettes and DVDs are loaned assumes complete financial responsibility for any damage or loss. The library reserves the right to determine the extent of damage and to assess cost for replacing the videocassette or DVD. Patrons must supply home and/or business telephone number(s).

4. Please notify the library if unavoidable circumstances prevent the prompt return of videocassettes or DVDs. There is a charge of $2.50 per day for each overdue videocassette or DVD title. This charge begins the day after the video or DVD is due.

5. The library is not responsible for determining audience suitability. 

6. Videocassettes and DVDs may be returned to the Altadena Library Circulation Desk or deposited in the outside audio/visual drop.

7. The copyright proprietor has licensed the picture contained in the videocassettes and DVDs for private use only and prohibits any other use, copying, reproduction or performance in public, in whole or in part. Permission to telecast any title cannot be granted by the library and must be requested directly from the producer or distributor.

8. Videocassettes and DVDs shall not be shown at events where admission is charged for fundraising or commercial purposes.

9. Videocassettes may not be cut or edited for any reason.

10. Videocassettes and DVDs require careful handling; dirt, dust, and fingerprints cause picture deterioration; never touch the videocassette tape itself.

11. Please store the videocassettes and DVDs in the container supplied and in an upright position.

12. Please keep the videocassettes away from anything that generates a magnetic field, such as motors, vacuum cleaners, and hi-fi equipment. Do not place on top of a speaker cabinet. Any extraneous magnetic signal will result in picture distortion.

13. Also please keep the videocassettes and DVDs away from direct sunlight. Sunlight will break down the magnetic properties of the tape formation; heat will warp the containers.

14. Each prerecorded videocassette has an anti-piracy signal guard which may cause a vertical roll onyour television set. This can be corrected by making a one-time adjustment to the vertical hold control on your television set. The adjustment should not affect normal picture reception.