The library provides computers for accessing the internet, checking email, research, etc. There is no charge to use these computers, and to log on you need either an active Daniel Boone Regional Library card or a temporary guest pass.
The library’s computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Age Restrictions and Internet Access
Computers may be used by people of any age, but those younger than 18 must have a library card with a parent’s or guardian’s signature in order to log on to any computer.
There are computers for children in each library that do not have internet access and instead feature a variety of educational games. An adult should supervise any preschool and primary school-age children who need help reading instructions or need other assistance to use any of the computers.
As required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, all internet-accessible computers are filtered with a technology protection measure to block access to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors.
Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
The library cannot guarantee confidentiality or safety on the internet. The library is not responsible for the content available on the internet and assumes no responsibility for the use of information obtained this way.
Patron Conduct
Because the library is a public space, the library requires that you use the internet computers in a responsible manner. This includes respecting the rights of others, not invading the privacy of others and not engaging in any prohibited activity as defined in the DBRL Code of Conduct Policy or that could reasonably be considered a violation of state or federal law. Failure to abide by these standards may result in a verbal warning, a written warning, loss of computer privileges or removal from the building.
Computer Help
Staff members are available to troubleshoot basic problems, but are not available for one-on-one tutoring and cannot give in-depth instruction in the use of the computers, software or the internet.
Time Limits
You may use the internet computers at least one hour per person per day. Depending on computer availability, your time may be extended for an additional hour or more. The internet computers will monitor your time and automatically shut down when your time limit is reached and ten minutes before the library closes. You may not gain additional time by using another person’s card.
30-minute computers are provided at some library locations for those who only need a computer for a short while. You will no longer be able to log on to any 30-minute computer once you have already used a half hour of computer time that day, but you may log on to a one-hour computer if you need additional time.
Disks, Drives and Headphones
Personal files or software cannot be saved on the hard drives of any of the library’s computers. You must save any work to your own removable USB flash drive before your computer time is up. You can purchase a USB flash drive for $6.00 at the check-out desk. You may use files or music on a CD you bring with you, but library computers cannot be used to record (save) files to CDs or DVDs. Bring your own headphones or purchase them from the library ($1.50 for headphones or earbuds for $1.00).
Printing
Printing is available for 10 cents per page for black and white and 50 cents for color.
Please ask for assistance if you are having trouble printing or do not know how many pages will print. Please be sure to complete all print jobs before your computer time expires, and check to make sure everything has printed properly before you log out or close your document.
Color Printing
Color printing is available at all library branches for a charge of 50 cents per page. At the Columbia Public Library, reference desk staff must assist you. (When printing in color, please be aware that the colors on any given monitor may be different from the printed document.)
Liability
Anyone using the library’s public access computers, wireless internet (Wi-Fi), hardware, software or documentation does so at their own risk. The library does not accept responsibility for injury to or loss of documents or personal devices. Users are responsible for saving their own work and for asking for assistance if needed.
Costs of repairing or replacing damaged or stolen equipment or software may be passed on to the individual(s) responsible for the damage.
Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
All four libraries have building-wide wireless internet access. It is solely the responsibility of the wireless device owner/user to provide updated antivirus protection and anti-malware software, and to configure personal equipment with appropriate security settings to control access from other wireless devices within library facilities and the internet itself, while using the library’s network.
NOTICE: Violating the rules above, or the library’s Code of Conduct and/or abusing other computer users, staff, hardware, or software may result in the loss of computer privileges.