Computer & Internet Access

All of the library locations in our system have computers available for public use. Each of the libraries in our system has computers designated for both adults and children. To use the computers you must have a PINES library card and your account must be in good standing.

Temporary passes to use the computers will be issued to people who are not residents of Georgia and are visiting the area for a short time. All of the library locations offer black and white print service from the computers at a cost of 25 cents per page.

Computer Policies and Rules

Public Access Computer Rules

The Southwest Georgia Regional Library is pleased to offer public access computers to its patrons. In order to enjoy benefits from this equipment for years to come, please follow these rules.

1. Computers are available to all patrons in “good standing” who have a current library card. “Good standing” means a patron has overdue fines less than $10.
2. Patrons under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a registration form and have it on file before the computers can be used.
3. These computers are provided “as is” for public use. If it is discovered that the computers have been changed in any way by anyone other than library personnel, that person is in danger of having computer privileges revoked.
4. Children’s computers must be checked out from the library staff. The staff will retain your library card and give you a computer pass with the computer’s letter/number on it.
5. Patrons must enter their current PINES library card number and last name to check out a computer with Internet access.
6. Except for a parent/guardian with a child only one person can be at a computer.
7. Patrons are not allowed to save files or programs to the hard drive. Patrons may use flash (or jump) drives, CD-R or CD-RW to save files. A CD-RW can be purchased for $3.00 at the circulation desk.
8. Computer use is limited to 1 hour when someone is waiting. Only people working at the computers are allowed in the computer area.
9. Computer assistance is limited to operational help.
10. Downloading, installation, or modification of software is prohibited.
11. Due to potential security problems, patrons are not allowed to connect their personal electronic equipment to the Library’s wired LAN, telephone lines, or computers. Personal electronic equipment includes but is not limited to: laptop computers, mobile devices, CD burners, PDAs, printers, iPods or other personal music or movie devices, etc.
12. Patrons are to refrain from overuse of network utilities.
13. The use of Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, or other email application is prohibited. Email accounts must be accessed through a web site that is configured for that purpose such as hotmail.com, gmail.com, yahoo.com, etc.
14. The cost of printing a document is $.25 per page.
15. Patrons must end their session when they are finished. Patrons using a children’s computer must sign out at the circulation desk and retrieve their PINES library card.
16. The parent/guardian accepts all responsibility for any/all subject matter to which the child may be exposed when said parent/guardian signs the PINES Library Patron Registration form.

Failure to abide by Southwest Georgia Regional Library Board policy and rules governing use of the library’s system may result in the suspension and/or revocation of system access. Staff violations may also result in discipline up to and including dismissal. Fees, fines or other charges may also be imposed.

Administrative Rules: Electronic Network Use Rules

Using the electronic services via the Internet is a privilege, not a right. The privilege may be revoked at any time for unacceptable conduct. Unacceptable conduct includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Using the Internet for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other contracts.
• Degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance.
• Vandalizing the data of other users.
• Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities.
• Invading the privacy of individuals.
• Using an account owned by another without authorization.
• Posting personal communications without the author’s consent.
• Placing of unlawful information on the system.
• Using abusive or otherwise objectionable language in either public or private messages.
• Sending of messages that are likely to result in the loss of recipient’s work or disrupting systems; for example, a computer virus.
• Sending “chain letters” or “Broadcast” messages to lists of individuals, or other types of communication which would cause congestion of the networks.
• Using the Internet to send/receive messages and images which are inconsistent with the Southwest Georgia Regional Library’s policies.
• Anyone accessing pornographic/offensive web sites will have their computer/library privileges revoked for periods up to 6 months.

Failure to abide by Southwest Georgia Regional Library Board policy and rules governing use of the library’s system may result in the suspension and/or revocation of system access. Staff violations may also result in discipline up to and including dismissal. Fees, fines or other charges may also be imposed.

The parent/guardian accepts all responsibility for any/all subject matter to which the child may be exposed when said parent/guardian signs the Computer Use, Internet or Registration card.

Electronic Network Policy

The Southwest Georgia Regional Library Board believes staff and patrons should have open access to local. national. and international sources of information. The Board, by providing access to electronic services via the Internet, recognizes the potential of such services to support, education, information and business, and life-long learning. The goal of providing this access is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation. and communication.

While the Internet offers patrons access to a variety of information, the Board recognizes misuse and abuse are possible. The Board will make every effort to protect patrons from these misuses and abuses, but it is the responsibility of each user to continuously guard against inappropriate and illegal interaction with the electronic services. The Southwest Georgia Regional Library is taking all reasonable steps to ensure the Internet is used only for purposes consistent with education and information sharing. The Library Director and staff will establish rules for the use of the electronic system.

Failure to abide by Board policy and administrative regulations governing use of the library’s system may result in the suspension and/or revocation of system access. Additionally, patron violations may result in discipline up to and including revocation of computer privileges. Staff violations may also result in discipline up to and including dismissal. Fees, fines or other charges may also be imposed.

The Southwest Georgia Regional Library makes no guarantee of any kind, for the Internet service provided to the patron. The Board will not be responsible for any damages claimed or suffered by any patron relating to the use of the Internet. This includes the user’s exposure to materials a parent otherwise would have a right of notice and/or consent to pursuant to state or federal law. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the patron’s own risk.

The Southwest Georgia Regional Library believes that the benefits to patrons from access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, far exceed any disadvantages. Ultimately, parent(s) and guardians(s) of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their child or ward should follow. To that end, the Southwest Georgia Regional Library Board supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for Internet access.