Policies

Library Card Registration

Free library service is available to anyone with identification. New members under 17 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign the application card.

Circulation

• New books, magazines and DVDs circulate for 1 week.
• All other items circulate for 3 weeks.
• 50 items may be borrowed per library card.
• Only 5 DVDS may be borrowed at one time.
• Items may be renewed if there are no holds on them.

Fines

• $0.25 per day for books, audios and CDs.
• $1.00 per day for DVDs.
• Borrowing privileges will be suspended on any account owing more than $10.00 in fines.
• Refunds are not given for lost and paid items later found. After the replacement cost is paid the item then belongs to the patron.

Photocopying / Fax

• Computer printing and photocopying is 10 cents per page.
• Fax service is $1.00 per page, including cover sheet.

Computers

• Free WiFi and public use computers are available.
• Users must have a valid library card within Allegheny County. Out-of-town visitors may use a guest card provided by the library.
• The library reserves the right to establish procedures that make workstations available on a first-come first-served bases.
• Internet use will be managed in a manner consistent with the library’s computer use policy.

Computer Use Policy

Computer users must register by entering the barcode number of their library card on the computer screen. If the user has over $10.00 in fines or the card has expired, access will be denied. Visitors will be given a guest card.

Free access to the Internet is available for all users. There is a charge of 10 cents for each printed sheet. Staff will assist any patron in signing on to the Internet and further instruction in Internet use will be given as current work conditions allow. Only one patron may be at each computer. Do not change any settings.

Anyone misusing or damaging the computer may have library privileges suspended, be prosecuted and be financially liable for any damage to the equipment. Internet workstations cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including hacking, access by minors to inappropriate Internet matter or other activities prohibited under any applicable federal, state or local laws including activities in violation of 18PA.C.S 5903 (PA Criminal Code). Parents of minor children must assume responsibility for their children’s use of the computers.

All computer users should realize that the computers are located in an open and non-private part of the library. The screens may be viewed at any time by small children, any patron or staff. Respect for the rights of small children and others make necessary certain limits on computer use. Please do not access: sexually explicit or gratuitously violent materials, i.e. games, gaming sites; telephony; instant messaging; or any other forms of chat rooms.

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a federal law that requires all computers in a public library to be filtered by July 1, 2004 if that library accepts any federal funds for Internet access or computers used for Internet access.

Bridgeville Public Library is complying with this law as a participating library of the eiNetwork consortium. The eiNetwork receives a significant amount of federal funding to provide Internet access to over 85 library sites in Allegheny County.

All computers in the library are filtered. Please be aware that filters are not totally reliable. At times sites with legitimate information or educational value can be blocked or access to sites that are illegal, obscene or sexually explicit within the meaning of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec 5903 can be allowed.

Parents or legal guardians, and not the Library or its staff, are responsible for monitoring their children’s use of the Internet and for the information selected and/or accessed by their children. The Library strongly encourages parents or legal guardians to supervise their children’s Internet use and to provide them with guidelines about acceptable use.

Any adult (17 years of age or older) may request that the filter be disabled without significant delay by a staff member. An authorized staff member may override the filter for a minor (age 16 years or younger) in the event that the filter wrongly blocks or filters Internet access to a specific site with legitimate informational value. Computer users should be aware the Internet is not a safe, secure medium and that others may obtain and use personal information. For your personal safety, please do not give information such as name, address, telephone or age.

Violation of any part of this policy will result in the loss of computer privileges.

Approved by the Library Board of Bridgeville Public Library May 11, 2004