1. 1. COMPUTER & INTERNET POLICY

INTENT

Computers and Internet offer extensive access to information and, except for the restrictions below, the Library makes no attempt to monitor, control or restrict the content and type of material available via the Internet. The selection policies that guide the Library for the purchase of written materials cannot be applied to the material available on the Internet. The Library shall not employ any “blocking” software which could limit access to materials. “Blocking” software can be effective at stopping undesirable material and yet often restricts access to good and legitimate material.

The use of Internet access at the library shall be governed by the policies and procedures approved by the Town of Morinville Library Board.

POLICY

Who Has Access

1. Any person(s) using public computers agree(s) to the Morinville Community Library’s

Computer and Internet Access Agreement Form 5.1 (Appendix 5A).

2. Any person under the age of 13 must have informed permission from a parent or guardian recorded on file by a Library staff member.
3. Any person under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult.
4. Proof of identification may be requested by Library staff. Access will be denied in the absence of proper identification.

Limitations/Restrictions

5. Public computers shall not be used for:
   1. any purpose which violates the Criminal Code of Canada, Federal, Provincial and International Law. Library staff may be required to report infringements which are of a criminal or public safety nature to the RCMP;
   2. creating, propagating, storing and transmitting computer malware, adware or similar devices;
   3. damaging, unlawfully modifying, and/or altering software programs or data on any database, file or system;
   4. illegally accessing other computers, computer systems, networks, computer files, passwords, or data belonging to another person or legal entity;

5. 5. impersonating another person;
   6. making unauthorized copies of copyright, licensed or otherwise proprietary materials including but not limited to, software, data graphics, text or any other form or type of information;
   7. accessing material that is profane, obscene, or pornographic, that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people or animals. A special exception may be made if the Director (and, in the case of persons under 18 years old, the person’s parent or guardian) approves the purpose of such access;
   8. any use of personal devices in the Morinville Community Library including but not limited to: computers, tablets and cell phones are subject to the same rules and policies as public computers.
6. Users who are found misusing the public computers or personal devices as per 6.1.5, or who have not complied with the Public Computer Use Agreement, shall have their computer access or library access privileges revoked for a term to be determined by management.
7. Time limits for the public computers shall be determined and set by library staff.

Staff Assistance

8. Library staff’s availability to give assistance on the public computers shall not exceed five minutes, unless time and duties permit. It is expected that persons accessing the public computers have some basic computer skills such as: using a mouse, familiarity with a keyboard and using a menu-based computer program. Staff are permitted to help with access to the Internet, offer searching suggestions, support the access and use of online library resources, and answer basic questions. These services will be offered as staff is available.
9. Library staff shall not offer any assistance where professional training, skills, expertise and education are required such as, but not limited to, counselling, HR topics, computer and devices technical support.
10. Appointments must be made where support for online library resources exceeds five minutes.

Liability

11. The Library is not responsible for damage to a person’s electronic property, or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from a person’s use of the public computer.
12. Any damage caused to the Library’s computer software or hardware, either with or without intent, by persons using the public computers will be the responsibility of that person.
13. The Library is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information or programs obtained through the Internet. There is no warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, that the information or programs are error-free or without defect.

1. 2. HOURS OF SERVICE

POLICY

1. Hours of service of the Library shall conform as closely as possible to the needs of the community, with due consideration to limitations of budget and staffing.
2. Actual hours of operation shall be determined by the Board. See By-Laws, Section 2.1 Schedule D, Hours of Opening.

1. 3. CONFIDENTIALITY OF USER RECORDS

POLICY

Morinville Community Library and its Board and staff are subject to the Libraries Act and

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP).

1. Library board members, staff, and volunteers will only collect patrons’ personal information when it is required for the purpose of delivering public library service.
2. No records are kept of a cardholder’s item checkout history unless the cardholder has given written permission. If this record is kept, it is subject to disclosure with the cardholder’s other records under the conditions described in points 3 and 6.
3. Library staff, board members, and volunteers will not disclose a patron’s personal information to a third party without the individual’s consent, except:
   1. in response to a court order (e.g. subpoena, search warrant) or another request from a law enforcement agency to assist in an investigation. Library representatives are only required to disclose personal information to law enforcement officers upon presentation of a written court order; they are not required to comply with other requests;
   2. in partnership with other Alberta libraries and library systems for the purpose of sharing material under conditions defined in existing resource sharing agreements and programs (e.g. interlibrary loan agreements, TAL Card, ME Libraries), collecting fees or fines, and retrieving borrowed materials. Cardholders will sign a form acknowledging their contact information will be available to other organizations for these purposes;
   3. for the purpose of contacting next of kin or emergency response personnel in the case of an emergency.
4. No patron information, including presence in the library, will be given over the phone.
5. Staff and volunteers are to keep the reading, listening, and viewing habits of individual patrons confidential.

6. Upon request, a library member will be given access to all information concerning their records. Access to a member’s record is limited to that member with the following exceptions:
   1. in the case of a library member twelve (12) years of age and under, complete access is also provided to the parent or guardian;
   2. in the case of a library member thirteen (13) to seventeen (17) years of age inclusive, access is also provided to the parent or guardian listed on file if the information is provided to aid in the retrieval of borrowed material or the collection of outstanding library charges;
   3. in the case of a person with limited or no access to library facilities, access to their record will be provided to the person(s) noted in the member record as assisting in the management of the care and return of library materials;
   4. if the member has given written permission for someone else to access their records.

1. 4. INTERLIBRARY LOANS & RESOURCE SHARING

POLICY

1. The Board shall actively participate in resource-sharing programs and services, including but not limited to, the provincial interlibrary loan program, ME Libraries, and the TAL Card program.
2. Any charges incurred from materials borrowed outside the Province of Alberta shall be passed on to the patron.
3. The Board shall follow the TRAC Operational Guidelines and all resource sharing and interlibrary loan policies set by Public Library Services Branch.

1. 5. REFERENCE & INFORMATION

POLICY

Staff may conduct reference transactions to assist members of the public in obtaining information they seek within budget and staffing constraints.

1. 6. CUSTOMIZED LIBRARY SERVICES & OUTREACH

POLICY

The Library will provide customized library services and outreach to accommodate the library needs of the elderly, handicapped, homebound, and print disabled patrons within budget and staffing constraints.

1. 7. BOOK REPLACEMENT

POLICY

1. Patron must make arrangements to replace lost or damaged books. Where a replacement is available, there are two options:
   • Patron can replace book at their own expense, in the same format as the lost or damaged book; or
   • If the book is easily available, the library will replace the book and charge the patron the reduced price where applicable.
2. If a replacement for the book is available, the patron must pay the cost as set by the library.
3. Overdue charges will still apply.
4. A $2.00 service charge may be applied to the cost of the book replacement.
5. When the patron replaces the book, the $2.00 service charge will be waived.

1. 8. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

POLICY

The Library shall focus on offering/hosting programs which reflect and support the current Plan of Service and Strategic Plan.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS:

• • • Where library management deems appropriate, attendance may be limited to Morinville Community Library members only.
    • The Library Director determines the charge for program attendance when necessary.

PARTNERSHIPS:

• • • The Library shall endeavor to partner with individuals, groups and agencies offering community programs to co-ordinate activities that align with the Morinville Community Library Plan of Service and Strategic Plan as determined by library management.
    • Partnerships are subject to room availability and staff capacity.
    • The Room Use Agreement Form (Section F) shall be signed by all parties, as well as the Partnership Agreement, where the partners’ respective responsibilities will be listed.

EXTERNAL (non-partners):

• • • Programs offered by non-partners see Program Room Bookings Policy 5.9.
    • Events or programs by charities or non-profit organizations that do not have the status of partners with the library will be given a discount of 25% for use of space, provided bookings are within operating hours.
    • All others will be charged according to Room and Equipment Rental Contract rates. (Refer to By-Laws of the Town of Morinville Library Board; Schedule E: Services, Equipment and Room Rental Fees).
    • In case of conflict between library use and community use the Library Director will have final say.

1. 9. PROGRAM ROOM BOOKINGS

According to the Town of Morinville guidelines for room occupancy the following rules shall be followed:

SPACE WITH NON-FIXED SEATS AND TABLES – 25

SPACE WITH CHAIRS – 30

The Morinville Community Library welcomes the use of its program room. The library has one room that is used for library and library-related programs and meetings but is also available for rent by individuals, groups, and organizations. All rentals will be subject to the terms defined by this policy.

1. Use of the program room is subject to Policy 4-Library Facilities and By-Laws of the Town of Morinville Library Board.
2. Use of the program room by an individual, group, or organization does not constitute endorsement by the Library Board of that individual, group, or organization’s beliefs or policies. Activities must not contravene the Criminal Code of Canada, Provincial Rules & Regulations, Municipal By-laws, and Town of Morinville Library By-Laws and Policies. The Library Director reserves the right to refuse a booking.
3. Promotional materials must not imply or suggest that the library is endorsing the purpose of the room use and must contain the following disclaimer: This program/event is not sponsored by the Morinville Community Library and the Library carries no responsibility for its content.
4. The meeting room cannot be rented for bazaars, religious services, fundraising events or private functions other than those offered by the library.
5. Room bookings will be confirmed upon receipt of full payment and the completed agreement form. Bookings cancelled prior to 1 week before the rental date will be charged a 10% administration fee. Bookings not cancelled, or cancelled less than one week before the rental will be charged the full rental cost.
6. Cancellations may be made for any reason with the approval of library management with a full refund of all fees paid in advance by the renter. Where possible, alternate dates will be proposed.
7. The room must be clean and left in the same condition as upon entrance or fees for excessive cleaning will apply. Any damage to the Morinville Community Library building and/or its equipment must be repaired, replaced or reimbursed at the renter’s expense.
8. The Morinville Community Library is not responsible for injuries or personal articles left, damaged or stolen.
9. Storage space is not provided.
10. Tables and chairs will be provided by library staff. The set up and cleaning of the room is the responsibility of the renter. Keys to the facility shall not be provided.