Introduction
To advance its mission to enable, empower and encourage lifelong learning and discovery in a safe, welcoming space for all, Northland Public Library offers the use of computers and access to the internet.
Computer & Internet Resources
Public computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis for any current Library card holder. Guest passes are available for out-of-county patrons or other special circumstances. Patrons must accept the terms of use when using any Library computer or internet resources.
The following resources are available for use:
- Catalog Only Computers—no Library card necessary for use. Library catalog and restricted Internet access to web sites listed in the catalog and selected Library Internet reference databases.
- Public Computers—must have a current Library card or a guest pass to use. Guest passes are issued to patrons who reside outside of Allegheny County or under special circumstances. These computers have a four-hour per day limit.
- Express Printing Public Computer—has all of the capabilities of the public computers but is strictly for the purpose of printing documents. This computer has a 15-minute time limit to allow patrons to quickly print their papers and move on with their day.
- Restoration Station– has a Fujitsu scanner attached and specialized Vivid-Pix restoration software installed to allow patrons to scan, restore, and enhance their photos and documents. The Restoration Station has a 2-hour time limit.
- Wi-Fi Hotspots—available to checkout with your library card on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets–available to checkout with your library card on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Wireless Internet Service (Wi-Fi)— available 24/7 in the library’s parking lot or inside the Library during the Library’s operating hours for people with compatible wireless devices. Patrons must accept the terms of use to access. Device owners are responsible for configuring equipment for wireless service. General information on configuring devices for wireless service is available from Library staff during the Library’s operating hours. Staff are not permitted to configure wireless devices for service.
- Computers in the Children and Teen Services Department are reserved for use by children under the age of 18. Exceptions are made for adults accompanied by a child or when all computers in the Computer Center are in use and others are waiting.
Patrons can speak with an Adult Services staff member for assistance at any computer located in or around Northland’s Computer Center or have a time extension granted as long as there are other open computers.
Printing & Downloading
Printing costs $.15 per page for black and white and $.50 per page for color. Patrons may not save their data on the hard drives of the Library computers but may save data to their own storage devices or cloud accounts.
User Responsibilities
Northland Library expressly prohibits any use of Library resources, including computers, hotspots, VR headsets or its wireless services to conduct illegal activities or to access material that is obscene, contains or makes reference to explicit sexual materials as defined by PA law (18 PA. C.S. § 5903), contains child pornography or is harmful to minors. Patrons should not access sites that are inappropriate for viewing within a public setting. Patrons are responsible for complying with copyright laws and licensing agreements, for paying any fee-based service charges and for securing all devices from physical or digital theft.
Internet Filtering
The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a federal law that requires all computers in a public library to be filtered if that library accepts any federal funds for Internet access or computers used for Internet access. (U.S. Supreme Court decision: United States v. American Library Association, Inc., 539 U.S. 194 (2003)). The Electronic Information Network (eiNetwork), the countywide consortium which provides Northland’s Internet access, receives such funding, and, therefore, as a member, Northland complies with the requirements of CIPA.
Websites are filtered to prevent minors from viewing material that 1) is obscene, 2) contains child pornography or 3) is harmful to minors. The term “harmful to minors” is defined by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC § 254 (h)(7)(G)) as meaning any picture, image, graphic image file or other visual depiction that:
- Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex or excretion;
- Depicts, describes or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts or a lewd exhibition of the genitals;
- Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value as to minors.
As necessary for bona fide research or other lawful purposes, any adult (18-years or older, as defined by CIPA) may have filtering disabled on Library computers by a Library staff member. Computers located in the Children’s and Teens’ areas of the Library or those using the wireless internet service cannot be unfiltered.
Children’s Use (Age 17 & Younger)
Northland Public Library complies with federal laws requiring internet access to be filtered for all minors age 17 and younger. Federal law also requires internet filtering even if a child is accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Filters are not foolproof. They can give people a false sense of security that they are protected from harmful material. In addition, filters can block access to sites that could be inoffensive or useful.
The Library requires that parents or guardians, just as with books, videos, and other formats, assume responsibility for monitoring their children’s use of and access to information. A signature of a parent or legal guardian for a child’s Library card indicates and pledges that parents or guardians take, and will continue to take, responsibility for monitoring that child’s access to all Library materials and services, including the Internet.
Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, age-appropriate, complete or current information. Northland Public Library cannot and does not make any promise, commitment or guarantee, either expressed or implied, with respect to the quality or content of the information available.
Internet users, especially children and their parents, need to be good information consumers, questioning, evaluating and judging the validity of the information. Users are cautioned that articles, ideas, points of view and images can be found on the Internet that may be controversial, troubling, disturbing, upsetting, divergent, false, misleading and/or inflammatory.
Disclaimers
Northland Public Library has no liability for direct, indirect or consequential loss or damages related to the use of information or services accessed through the Library’s computer equipment or Wi-Fi service.
Northland Public Library, having installed and enforced the operation of filtering software in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, has no liability for damages related to the operation of, or failure of, the filtering technology or for its possible circumvention by users. Only parents and guardians can guide their children’s use of the Library and its resources.
Penalties for Misuse
Any misuse of library equipment, attempts to harm data or networks, inappropriate sharing of account information or passwords, attempts to circumvent normal log in procedure, bypass internet filter or other irresponsible usage will result in the immediate suspension of user privileges and, where applicable, criminal prosecution. The user or parent/guardian of children age 17 and younger will be responsible for any misuse and/or monetary damages resulting from such acts.
Further, the ability to post, save or link to copyrighted material is governed by United States copyright law. Northland Public Library reserves the right to delete or disable access to any post or link if, in its judgment, the post or link involves violation of copyright law. Repeat infringers of copyright law may lose computer or Library privileges.
Approved 6/25/2019
Rev 10/26/2021
Rev 6/27/2023
Rev 1/23/2024
Rev 5/28/2024
Rev 8/8/2024
Rev 1/28/2025
