Public Access Computers

Upper Merion Township Library provides free Internet access for library card holders. Others may purchase a temporary use card for $1.00, which allows the holder Internet access for one day during library hours. To provide fair access for all, the library employs patron management software known as PC Reservation. Wireless access is also available at the library.

Printing is available from workstations at a cost of 15 cents per page. One color printer is presently available in the Children's Department. The cost for color prints is 25 cents per page. Please note that the printers will be shut down shortly before the library closes. Patrons are encouraged to pay attention to the closing warnings issued by PC Reservation and complete any work before this time.

For patrons who are visually handicapped a workstation with a large screen monitor is available in our Business Service room.

Word processing workstations are also available.

INTERNET AND ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

The content of the Internet is not monitored by any entity; therefore, users may encounter materials they find personally offensive or obscene. Users are asked to remember that they are in a public building and to show consideration for others when viewing web sites. In addition, patrons are forbidden from bringing up on the screen or printing any materials defined as obscene by Title 18 PACS 5903 of the Pennsylvania Crime Code. Such images shown or sent to the staff or the public may be a form of sexual harassment.

All users, both adults and non-adults, will be required to use filtered computers. Although filters have been installed in an attempt to prevent users from accessing obscene materials and images, filters are not completely reliable, and access to these sites is still possible. The library cannot be held responsible for users who gain access to such sites.

Parents or guardians, NOT the library or its staff, are responsible for Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Patrons are responsible for material accessed and are prohibited from bringing up on the screen or printing any material, which may be offensive, disturbing, or illegal. Offensive images are harassing to the public and staff.
Some or all of the resources may be unavailable at anytime for technical reasons over which Upper Merion Township Library has no control.

The library cannot guarantee the quality or accuracy of information on the Internet. Each user must consider the validity and reliability of the information found.

No more than two patrons may use a single workstation at the same time and we require that users restrict their access to thirty minutes while others are waiting.

No user may tamper with the software or hardware configurations provided by the library. Access will be suspended for any user found in violation of these guidelines.
Vandalism will be referred to the Upper Merion Township Police Department for legal action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data. This includes the uploading or creating of computer viruses and intentional physical damage to the computer and/or its peripherals.

The Upper Merion Township Library complies with the Acceptable Use Policy of the MCLINC Internet Service Provider, the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU). Any activity that does not comply with that policy is prohibited. The MCIU Acceptable Use Policy can be found at:
http://www.mciu.org/mciu23/CWP/view.asp?A=13&QUESTION_ID=400130.

The Upper Merion Township Library reserves the right to suspend user privileges for non-compliance of this policy.

Wireless Internet Access

MCLINC now offers patrons wireless Internet access using personal laptops, Blackberries, PDAs, etc. This service is available at Upper Merion Township Library, funded by a grant through Hon. Constance H. Williams from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Requirements:

Patrons agree to abide by the Acceptable Use Policy as described above.

Some limits may be placed on wireless sessions, such as time limits, age limits, hours of access and filtering. For the complete policy governing wireless internet access at MCLINC, please see: http://www.mclinc.org/wirelessinternetaccess.htm.

Please be advised that the "Safari" browser found on MACBook notebooks will not work in our environment. It is suggested that users download a copy of the Firefox browser from Mozilla to remedy this problem.