Policies

Policy on Computer and Internet Use

The library is happy to provide our customers with in-library access to the Internet, a network of computers around the world that share information.

Hazen Memorial library has several computer terminals for public Internet access. Since at the moment Internet access is insufficient to meet demand, we must ask you to abide by the following rules. The library encourages customers to use the Internet as an information seeking tool. So that access may be maintained for all, downloading, uploading and ftp are not allowed unless special arrangements are made with staff.

Who can use the Internet?

Any adult or child who has a library card may sign up to use the Internet.

How to Use the Internet at HML

Printing

Excessive use of paper is discouraged. For reference and educational purposes, you may print up to five black and white pages for free; thereafter, the library reserves the right to charge 15¢ per page.

All color printing costs 25¢ per page.

The printers may be shared with other users. Please be considerate of others and patient with the hardware; your print job may not appear immediately if someone else has sent a large print job to the printer. Hitting the "Print" icon repeatedly only slows the system down and crashes the browser.

Legal and Ethical Use

The computers at the Hazen Memorial Library can be used only for legal purposes by the public and the staff.

Examples of illegal behavior include, but are not limited to:

• Harassment of other users
• Destruction of or damage to equipment or software
• Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communication
• Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material
• Violation of computer system security
• Unauthorized use of computer accounts, network identification or access codes or numbers.
• Violations of software license agreements
• Violations of network usage policies
• Violations of another's privacy

Take advantage of this free service, but remember:

• The staff of the Hazen Memorial Library has no control over the information available through the Internet, nor does the Library have complete knowledge of what is on the Internet.
• Information obtained from the Internet may be reliable and current, or, it may be inaccurate, out-of-date, and at times, unavailable.
• The Hazen Memorial Library cannot be held responsible for the content of the Internet. As with other library materials, a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the child's parent or legal guardian.
• This Internet service is intended for independent use. At this time the library is unable to provide staff to instruct individual Internet users.
• The library reserves the right to discontinue the use of the Internet by any customer.

Learning more about the Internet

Current Internet books and videos are available at the library and the Regional Library System (CMRLS).

Internet Access to the Massachusetts Library System Databases From Your Home Computer

• Access to the catalogs of many state libraries is at http://mblc.state.ma.us/
• Access to InfoTrac and Electric Library databases is paid for by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Inside the library, access is available from the browser toolbar. For directions on how to access the databases from your home or office, pick up a pamphlet at the desk.
• Access to the C/W MARS network, of which the Hazen Library is a member is at: http://cmars.cwmars.org/search~/

This Internet policy has been modified from the Internet policy of the Fitchburg Public Library, whom we would like to thank for their helpfulness.