Computer Use

To maximize availability to this resource, and to insure fair accessibility for all, please follow these guidelines, which include our policies, rules and procedures.  

Internet Access Policy
The Macon County--Tuskegee Public Library endeavors to develop collections, resources and services that meet the cultural, informational, recreational and educational needs of our community of users. It is within this context that the Macon County--Tuskegee Public Library offers access to the Internet.

The Macon County--Tuskegee Public Library  does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and Library patrons use it at their own risk.

• All Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided equally to all library users. Parents or guardians, not the Library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents, and only parents, may restrict their children, and only their children, from access to Internet resources available through the Library. Please note: In recognition of the fact that some Internet content is inappropriate for young children, the Library has installed an Internet filter on the computers. Parents and guardians should understand that such filters are not 100% effective; we advise you to supervise your children's sessions.
• Users of computers in the Library should be aware that they are in a highly public place. Should you use a public access computer to view unprotected speech as defined by the Supreme Court you may be asked to discontinue your viewing. If you do not cooperate with staff requests, you risk losing your computer privileges.
• Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information. You need to be a good information consumer, questioning the validity of the information you find. Please remember that many times you will find the specific information you need right here in our books, periodicals, electronic databases, etc.
• Individuals who use Library computers for illegal purposes will have their privileges revoked and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Staff Assistance
Library staff will provide as much assistance as possible in helping you access the Internet and make use of the applications installed on public access computers. However, you must bear in mind that Library staff cannot fill out forms for you or provide editorial advice. The need to serve many Library patrons at once makes it impossible for staff to provide in-depth training concerning Internet surfing or personal computer use.

Guidelines for Access
All patrons are entitled to up to one hour sessions.   If there is no one waiting to use a computer after you, you may extend your time in at the prompting of the computer.

• Important! The computer is not kidding when it tells you your turn will end. If you do not save your work, you risk losing it. If you do not have a floppy disk, you may purchase one from the staff for $1.00.

If you have a preference of one specific computer over another, you may select it when making your reservation. Please bear in mind that this may extend your wait significantly.

If the Library staff becomes aware that the computer sign-up system is being abused in any way, offenders will lose their computer privileges for one week. Please play fair.

Printing
Printing from Library computers costs $.10 per page. Computer users are responsible for the cost of all pages printed. Printing from the Internet sometimes can be very misleading; often you may have more pages than you originally thought.  However, the library's print management will tell you how many pages are being printed before you press print.

 *Almost all speech is protected under the First Amendment. The Supreme Court makes an exception for obscenity, which must meet the following criteria to qualify:

1. whether -the average person, applying contemporary community standards- would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest,
2. whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law [defined in Maine as depicting or describing -ultimate sexual acts, excretory functions, masturbation, or lewd exhibition of the genitals-], and
3. whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.