Policies of the Seminole Community Library

Computing Resources Policy

1. Computing resources include all computers, related equipment, software, data, and local area networks for which the City and College are responsible, as well as networks throughout the world to which the City and College provide computer access. Patrons are responsible for legal, moral, and ethical conduct in the use of computing resources. Patrons are required to abide by the library's Code of Conduct and all applicable federal, state and local laws when using the library's computers and networks.
   
   
2. Normally there is no time limit for computer use. However, when patrons report an immediate and urgent need for using a computer for academic, research, governmental and related communication and information access, and no computers are immediately available, the library staff may in those circumstances require patrons engaged in purely recreational use of the computers to yield their computer time. A limited number of computers on the second floor are designated solely for research and academic activities. Recreational use of these computers is not allowed.
   
   
3. The library uses an automated computer management system for access to the computers. To use the computers patrons must meet one of the following conditions:
   • have a valid Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC) library card, OR
   • be a currently registered St. Petersburg College student or University Partnership Center student and in possession of a Student ID Number, OR
   • have a Computer Access Only card. The Computer Access Only card is free and will be issued to anyone presenting current photo identification at the Circulation Desk.
   
   
4. Computers in the children's room on the first floor are for the use of preschool through 7th grade children. If a computer is available, parents and caregivers aged 16 and older who are accompanying their children may use one. If a parent or caregiver is using a computer in the YS Department and a child in 7th grade or younger is in need of one, the adult will be required to yield the computer and transfer to computers outside of the YS Department. If such adults' children are under age 10, then the children must accompany the adults outside of the YS Department. Children aged 10 and under may not be left anywhere in the library at any time. No one unaccompanied by a child in 7th grade or younger may use the computers in the YS Department. If children are using computers in the "common area" of the second floor while computers are available in the children's room, library staff may require them to transfer to the children’s room computers (accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver) during periods of high demand.
   
   
5. Computers in the teen room ("The Zone") on the second floor are for the exclusive use of middle school and high school students. If such students are using computers in the "common area" of the second floor while computers are available in the teen room, library staff may require them to transfer to the teen room computers during periods of high demand.
   
   
6. Disabled patrons have first priority use of computer stations for the disabled. During periods of high demand, if an able-bodied patron is using a disabled computer station, library staff may require that patron to yield to a disabled patron.
   
   
7. During periods of high demand, patrons are asked to wait in line at the reference desk or circulation desk to insure fair and orderly access to the computers as they become available. Patrons waiting in line have priority over patrons who may have been waiting in other parts of the building.
   
   
8. If a patron leaves a computer unattended or idle for 10 minutes or more, the computer management system will automatically logout the patron's session. In addition, library staff will consider a computer left unoccupied for 10 minutes or more to be vacated and may make it available for another patron if others are waiting. Patrons may not reserve a computer or prevent other patrons from using an unoccupied computer. Patrons may not leave personal belongings or signs to "hold" a computer beyond 10 minutes. Personal belongings left at a vacated computer may be removed and placed in "lost and found".
   
   
9. Patrons should report any computer malfunctions to the nearest library staff member. Patrons may not attempt repair on public computers or place signs indicating that any computer is out of order.