Massanutten Regional Library is dedicated to the goal of open access to information for the public. The library offers and provides information through many channels and venues, and in many formats including the Internet. Internet access is available at all library branches for library card holders in good standing (no outstanding fines or fees). For guest access visitors must present a valid picture ID when they signing up for a computer. We also have printers available for your use at 25 cents a page for black and white copies, or 50 cents per page for color copies. Our computers use Windows 10 and have Office 2016 available for use.
Prior to using the Internet at any MRL facility you need to be aware of the following policies and information some of which are legal mandates of the Commonwealth.
Policies and Rules
- Not all sources on the Internet provide information that is accurate, complete, current, legal or philosophically acceptable to all citizens. The library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, that arise from the use of its web server or from its connection to other Internet services.
- Access to computers is limited to those individuals who have a library card in good standing and who are 10 years old or older. Children under 10 may bring a parent or guardian to access the net together. The parent or guardian, and not the library, is solely responsible for determining what information may or may not be appropriate for their child to access or observe.
- If a user is visiting from a region outside of the MRL service area (City of Harrisonburg, Rockingham and Page Counties and the adjoining counties), or does not have a library card with them, picture identification is required.
- Patrons of all ages must remember that the library is a public place. Material accessed on or retrieved from the Internet may be offensive to some or may not be appropriate to display to a child.
- The library does not provide personal accounts for e-mail, Listservs or newsgroup access. Workstations in the children’s area may not be used to access chat rooms.
- MRL is unable to control or monitor the content of Internet sites that change frequently and unpredictably. The workstations may not support certain file types available on the Internet, such as sound or moving images, IRC or telnet.
- There is a one-hour limit on use of each workstation that is enforced if another person has reserved time on a workstation. Computer use may be limited to one hour per user per day at the library’s discretion.
- Altering the computer settings established on the workstations by the library, and other activities that disrupt the library, its patrons or its network are prohibited.
- Failure to comply with these guidelines and mandates may result in the loss of access to library workstations or other privileges.
Acceptable Use
The Massanutten Regional Library expects staff members and patrons to use responsibly the electronic resources it provides. There are federal and state laws that prohibit access to certain materials and resources. See [18 U.S.C. Secs. 1030, 1462, 1465 and Code of Virginia sections 18.2-152.1 et seq., 18.2-374 et seq.]
Computer resources may not be used for the following purposes:
- Violation of any applicable federal, state or local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations;
- Destruction of or damage to equipment, software or data belonging to the library or others;
- Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to any computing, information or communications devices or resources;
- Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications;
- Unauthorized copying of copyrighted or other protected material;
- Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes or network identification numbers assigned to others;
- Violation of software license agreements;
- Violation of the privacy or another person or party;
- Any and all other matters which the library, in its sole discretion, and in consideration of the best interests of the public, determines to be an unacceptable purpose.
Filtering Requirement
Passed by the Rockingham Library Association Board of Trustees, August 20, 2003
The Massanutten Regional Library has applied filtering software to its Internet accessible computers in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Under this law, if you are over age 17, you have the right to ask that the filter be turned off. You may be asked for proof of age.
