Computer Usage Policy

The Library provides Internet access computer stations for free public use, in both the Adult and Youth Services departments. Adult department computers (including express stations) may be used by anyone in 7th grade or older (Library staff reserve the right to ask for proof of age). YS department computers may only be used by children in 6th grade or younger. Children age 7 or younger must be accompanied by an adult or guardian at all times while using a computer (parent or guardian must be at the computer with the child). Children 8 or older (through 6th grade) can use a YS department computer unattended if their parent or guardian has completed a Parental Consent Form acknowledging that the the parent/guardian, and not the Library, has sole responsibility for restricting the child's Internet access.

All computer users (or parent/guardian for children under 8 using a YS department computer) must have either a Morton Grove Library card, a valid card from another public library, or, for non-residents without a library card, a Computer Use Only (CUO) card. CUO cards are available at the Circulation Desk (identification required), and are usable only for computer sign-ins; they cannot be used to check out any Library materials.

Microsoft Office applications are available on all public PCs in both the Adult and Youth Services Departments. Parental permission is not required to access Office programs on the YS PCs.

The Morton Grove Public Library may suspend or terminate a patron's computer privileges if the Library reasonably believes that the patron has violated any portion of this policy.

The following applies to the use of public computers in all departments:

• There is no limit to the number of sessions (sign-ins) a user can have in one day, as long as the total computer time does not exceed the limits stated below.
• Patrons may not use any library card other than their own, including those of other family members.
• Computers are available from the time the Library opens until 10 minutes before closing time; all sessions automatically end 10 minutes prior to closing (users are made aware of the time available, based on the session ending 10 minutes prior to closing, when they sign in).
• Unused reservations and unused portions of a session (after a user signs out) are not counted against the daily limits stated below.
• All computer stations are available on a first-come, first-served basis to users who have not exceeded their time allotment provided there are no advance reservations for that time slot.
• Printing is available from all Adult computers at 10¢ per page for black-and-white or 50¢ per page for color. There is no charge for printouts from YS computers or from catalog computers.
• The Library's public computers are intended for use by a single individual only. In all cases, because of limited space and in consideration of other Library patrons, a maximum of two persons may sit and/or work together at any one computer. If disruptions occur because of overcrowding at any of the terminals, staff may ask all non-users to leave the computer station.
• Public PCs do not support any e-mail clients; only web-based e-mail services are accessible. MGPL does not provide e-mail accounts.
• The Morton Grove Public Library is not responsible for damage to a patron's flash drive or diskette, or for any loss or corruption of data, damage to user hardware or storage, or liability that may occur from patron use of the Library's computers or software.
• The Morton Grove Public Library has no control over, and is not responsible for, the availability or accuracy of the information from sites not created by or maintained by the Morton Grove Public Library. Only Web pages with the MGPL logo are provided and maintained by the Morton Grove Public Library. Users of public PCs are solely responsible for the evaluation and use of data they gather from the Internet.
• Information on the Internet may be erroneous; out-of-date; illegal or considered offensive; and/or controversial or sexually explicit. Computer users have sole responsibility for identifying/avoiding such information.
• The Library does not filter content on any public computers. Therefore, parents are encouraged to work closely with their children to develop good Internet safety skills, which are consistent with their family's values and boundaries; see, for example, Child Safety on the Information Highway, and NetSmartz.org. The Library does provide non-Internet computers with educational software for young children, and parents of children in 6th grade and younger are required to complete a Parental Consent Form before their child can use an Internet computer unattended.
• The Library cannot guarantee access to all resources at any given time; they may be busy, available only to authorized users, or unavailable due to maintenance, technical problems, or other reasons.
• MGPL staff will not enter any data into a Website on behalf of, nor complete an online form for, any Library patron.
• Computer users are expected to have sufficient skills (keyboard, mouse, Internet, Microsoft Office) to enable them to use the computer on their own; library staff can provide only very limited assistance. Adult users needing more extensive assistance are encouraged to register for one of the library's computer or Internet workshops.
• Users may not use the Library's computers for illegal activities. Because the Library is a public place, the displaying of sexually suggestive objects or pictures is in violation of the Morton Grove Village Code (6-1-5) and could be in violation of state and Federal obscenity laws (720 ILCS 5/11-20 and 720 ILCS 670/0.01 et seq.; U.S. Code Title 18, Chapter 110 and Title 47, 223 and 231). It is the responsibility of the user to respect the Morton Grove Village ordinance on obscenity and refrain from displaying such images.
• It is the responsibility of the user to respect copyright laws and licensing agreements, and to assume responsibility for payment of fees for any fee-based service.
• Users may not use the Library's computers to interfere with or disrupt other users, services or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, harassment, distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer viruses, or attempts to make unauthorized entry to other computers.
• Users must respect the privacy of other computer users. This includes not representing yourself as another user, not modifying passwords, not trying to gain access to someone else's data, not "hovering" over other users while waiting for a computer, and not viewing and/or commenting on a neighboring computer user's screen contents (without permission).

Departmental time limits:

All users -- adult, teen, YS -- are limited to a total of 3 hours of computer time per day. For adult users, this time can be split between Internet PCs and Express stations, but it does not mean 3 hours of time on each type of computer.

Adult computers

• Sessions are 2 hours, with up to two 30-minute extensions. Unlimited number of sessions.
• Computers may be reserved up to 3 days in advance.

Adult express stations

• Sessions are 15 minutes plus one 5-minute extension. Unlimited number of sessions.
• No reservations.

YS computers

• Sessions are 30 minutes, with three 30-minute extensions. Unlimited number of sessions.
• Computers may be reserved up to 3 days in advance.

Approved by the Morton Grove Public Library Board of Trustees, March 10, 2011.