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Mission
Statement
The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) is every person's gateway
to an expanding world of information. MPL is committed to providing
the best in library service to the diverse community of Milwaukee to
meet their informational, recreational and educational needs. To achieve
this goal, MPL offers various resource formats and services to meet
the community's needs, including public access to computers, information
databases, the Internet and the World Wide Web.
Top
Ten Computer Courtesies
Milwaukee Public Library wishes to provides equitable
computer access to all citizens. Please observe the following computer
courtesies:
1. Please sign in yourself using the library's automated
computer sign-in system. If you are a Milwaukee
County resident, a library card is required for authorized use.
2. Each library has different time limits for computer
use. Ask staff or click here for more information.
The library does not guarantee a specific amount of time for computer
use.
3. Please cooperate with staff who may need to designate
computers for catalog or reference use only.
4. Do not download and/or install software programs on
library computers. If you do, you may lose library privileges.
5. Do not access pornographic or obscene materials. If
you do, you may lose library privileges.
6. If no computers are available, check with library staff,
or make a reservation for when a computer is available.
7. Save your work on a floppy disk or USB key-drive.
You cannot save on the hard (C:) drive. (Disks can be purchased at
the check out desk.)
8. Computer work stations are designed for use by one
person at a time.
9. Computers in the children’s area are for use by
children age 14 and younger.
10. Computers in the young adult area of Central Library
are for use by young adults only.
Acceptable
Use Policy
Internet Access: To assist users, Milwaukee
Public librarians, following selection guidelines, have selected links
for the MPL Web site from the vast resources available on the Internet.
Public access to the Internet is not limited to these links. The quality,
accuracy and timeliness of information on the Internet varies from site
to site, and sites may be controversial or of a mature nature. MPL does
not monitor, has no control over, and does not accept responsibility
for material in other sources on the Internet. At their own discretion,
library users access the Internet and are responsible for the results
of their searches.
Responsibilities of Computer Users: MPL requires
computer users to respect the rights and sensibilities of all library
users. Some Internet sites are inappropriate for viewing in a public
setting. Users should refrain from the use of Internet sounds and
visuals that may disrupt the ability of other library patrons to use
the library and its resources. Library staff reserve the right to
end Internet sessions when sexually explicit or pornographic materials
are displayed. (See also Illegal and Unacceptable Uses).
Internet Safety: Librarians are partners with
parents in guiding children to safe and appropriate use of the Internet.
In compliance with requirements of the Children's Internet Protection
Act (CIPA) and the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act
(NCIPA), MPL filters all Internet computers. Adult patrons age17 years
and older may elect to disable the filter for unrestricted Internet
access for any lawful purpose that meets MPL guidelines. Milwaukee
Public Library restricts access to chat rooms to computer users 18
years of age and older. Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising
their children's Internet sessions and
for letting
their
children know
if
there are
materials
children should not use or view. The library assists parents and guardians
who desire guidance for their children's use of the Internet through
their technical expertise and guidance. Parents and guardians are directed
to the "Child
Safety on the Information Highway" produced by the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Inter-active Service
Organizations
for assistance on protecting their children.
MPL staff provides guidance and assistance to children,
parents and guardians in a variety of areas:
- Reference librarians provide suggestions and assistance in conducting
online research and evaluation of Web sites.
- The Library Web site includes a specially designed page for children
that contains links to recommended free and paid information resources
in a variety of frequently requested topic areas.
- Classes and online tutorials are offered to teach basic computer
use skills and to assist parents in guiding their children to use
Internet resources safely and appropriately.
- Individual help is provided as time permits in the use of applications
on the MPL network.
- The library distributes in print and through a web link the "Child
Safety on the Information Highway" produced by the National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children and Inter-active Service Organizations.
Copyright: U.S. Copyright law (Title 17, U.S.C.)
Prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted
materials, except as permitted by principles of fair use. Users may
not copy or distribute electronic materials (including electronic
mail, text, images, programs or data) without the explicit permission
of the copyright holder. Any responsibility for any consequences of
copyright infringement lies with the users; the MPL expressly disclaims
any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.
Software/Hardware: Library software is copyrighted
and may not be reproduced. (See also Copyright). Users may not load
their own or any other software on library equipment. This includes,
but is not limited to, disks that are checked out, disks in books
that may be checked out, and disks in reference materials that must
remain in the library. Users are not permitted to store any software
or other data on the hard drives of the library's computers or alter
the programs currently installed on the systems. Anyone tampering
with any library hardware or software will be denied access to library
computers in the future, and also may lose their library privileges.
Disclaimer: Users access the library computer hardware, software
and documentation at their own risk. The Milwaukee Public Library
is not responsible for equipment malfunction, loss of data, any damages
to the user's disks, data etc. or electronic transactions of any type
which are related to the public use of library computer resources.
Illegal and Unacceptable Uses: People may use the library
computers only for legal purposes. Examples of unacceptable uses include
but are not limited to the following:
- Display of sexually explicit or pornographic materials;
- Harassment of other users or violation of their privacy;
- Libeling, slandering or maliciously offending other users;
- Violation of copyright laws or software licensing agreements;
- Attempting to crash, degrade performance or gain unauthorized access
to MPL's or to other computer systems and networks;
- Damaging equipment, software or data belonging to MPL or other users.
Violations may result in the loss of Internet and/or library
privileges. Illegal use of the computers also may be subject to prosecution
by local, state or federal authorities.
Computer
Use Procedures
Time Limits: To ensure free access
for all patrons, the library has installed software known as "SAM" on
all computers to manage user time limits.
The length of time a computer is available varies by library. All
users must have a valid library card to sign on to the computer. Visitors
should see the librarian for more information.
Reservations: Computers may be reserved in advance. Each
library has a different advance reservation
policy. To reserve a computer, visit the library where you wish
to use the computer and sign in. Using the Personal Session Manager,
you can choose the computer and the time you wish to reserve.
Hours of use: All computers in the Central Library Betty
Brinn Children's Room will be turned off 30 minutes before closing.
All other computers will be turned off 15 minutes before closing.
Printing: The printing charge is 15 cents per page and applies
whether the user brings paper or uses library paper. Printing from
library computers requires a library debit card. The Milwaukee Public
Library is not responsible for loss of data that may occur when printing.
Saving Files and Documents: Milwaukee Public Library computers
do not allow the user to save documents or personal files to the hard
drive. All documents that are saved must be saved to a disk or USB
key-drive belonging to the user. Disks may be purchased at the library
check out desk.
The
Milwaukee Public Library is not responsible for loss of data that may
occur when saving documents.
Compliance
Failure to comply with this policy or with library staff directions
may result in restriction or termination of the user's library privileges
and may result in prosecution under local, state or federal laws.
Computers
for Special Needs Users
Two computer workstations at Central
Library enable persons with special needs to access the Internet or
use word processing software. Sign up to use the computers at the Central
Library Information Services Desk. Reservations can be made up to a
week in advance by calling 414-286-3017. (TDD Listing 286-3062) Valid
identification is required at the time of use. Complete information
on the software, assistive technology devices and other features provided
by these workstations is available in the brochure, "Computers for Special
Needs Users," available free at Central Library.
Privacy
Policy
The Milwaukee Public Library is committed to protecting
the privacy of its Web site visitors and users. We believe strongly
that users deserve to have their personal privacy protected while using
the Internet. Safeguarding the privacy of visitors to the library Web site can help preserve this trust and increase users' confidence and
participation in online activities.
If you send us an electronic mail message with a question or comment
that contains personally identifying information, or fill out a form
that E-mails us this information, we will use only the personally identifiable
information to respond to your request. We do not sell any customer
information. We may, if appropriate, redirect your message to another
government agency or person who can better respond to your question
or need.
The Milwaukee Public Library does make use of proxy server technology
in order to give city residents access to private databases to which
the library subscribes on behalf of its customers.
The Milwaukee Public Library Web site offers links to Web sites of
many other organizations. Our privacy policy does not apply to these
Web sites. Please review carefully the appropriate privacy policies
of any independent site you may access through links provided on the
City of Milwaukee site.
While the Milwaukee Public Library considers confidential any information
users of its Web site provide, the library does not employ any security
or encryption software that can guarantee absolute security of information
you may provide when using our site.
What we learn about you will depend upon what you do while visiting
the library Web site. If you visit our site solely to browse, read,
or download information, our servers - like most web servers on the
Internet - will collect and store only that information that your web
browser sends when it requests a web page. This information will likely
include:
- The name, domain, and numerical Internet address of the host computer
(typically a computer belonging to your Internet service provider
and not your personal computer) from which you access the Internet.
For example, your host computer will tell us that you have accessed
our site from "yourcompany.com" if you use a private Internet
access account, or "yourschool.edu" if you connect from
a university's domain. It will also provide us with an IP address
(which is a number that gets automatically assigned to your computer
whenever you access the Internet.) The information we receive may
look something like this: IP address 169.207.69.84 at d84.as28.nwbl0.wi.voyager.net;
- The date and time of your visit;
- The Internet address of the web page from which you came;
- The page(s) you visit on our Web site; and
- The information your web browser software sends as its so-called
"user agent", which typically identifies the browser software
and may also indicate the operating system and type of CPU used in
your personal computer.
The library collects this information solely for the purpose of improving
the quality of online services that we provide to users. We will periodically
summarize and analyze this information in order to study site usage
over time and to perform other studies that will help us improve the
site's organization, performance, and usefulness.
When you visit the Milwaukee Public Library site simply to browse,
read, or download information, we will not collect any individual identifying
or personal information. Nor will we use "cookies" without
your express permission or any other means (such as Adware or Spyware)
to track your visit in any way. Based upon the data we do collect during
such "information-gathering" visits, the library cannot ascertain
any personal information regarding an individual user (such as name,
street address, or telephone number.)
If you use the library site to request a book or other service, make
a payment, or submit a form, we will ask that you submit certain pieces
of relevant personal information, based on the action taken. For example,
when you request a service, we may ask for a name and street address.
You may need to provide certain personal information and property or
other related data to request certain services. As allowed by law, we
will not share any of your personal or financial information with any
third party at any time without your explicit permission.
However, please be aware that the Milwaukee Public Library, as a department
of the City of Milwaukee which is a governmental agency, must comply
with various state and federal guidelines concerning open records and
freedom of information. Information that we receive through use of our
site will be subject to the same provisions as information provided
to us through other media (such as printed material or voice records.)
We must, by law, make this information available upon request.
Public library records that indicate the identity of any individual
who borrows or uses the library's documents or other materials, including
electronic media, cannot be disclosed except by court order, or to persons
acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the
library system, or to persons authorized by the user. Under the USA
Patriot Act, the FBI may present a court order requesting information
on patron records and withhold patron notification of such requests.
If you use our Web site to conduct interactive transactions, such as
service requests, we may use "non-persistent" cookies to facilitate
information processing. Certain application forms and other transaction-related
features on our site may require use of cookies to work correctly. The
"non-persistent" cookies that our site uses for such transactions
will disappear as soon as you finish filling out the form or application
that requires them.
Your participation in any feature, option, or service provided on our
Web site is and will remain entirely at your discretion. We will never
assume that you wish to "opt in" to anything, nor will we
require you to "opt out" of any feature, option, or service
that our site provides. Users visiting our Web site may, at any time,
decline to participate or discontinue their participation in any activity
that asks for personal information (service requests, payment transactions,
job applications, surveys, and the like). Choosing not to provide this
information will in no way affect your ability to continue to use our
site or any other feature on our site. However, electing not to provide
certain important information may prevent the city from responding to
your request for service or completing your transaction.
If you have any questions or comments concerning these policies, please
contact the Communications & Marketing Department, (414) 286-3031.
Revised May 1, 2003 |
