Internet Policy | Reference Rules | Children's Rules
New Jersey Restriction of Internet Access

Internet Policy for Public Use

The Hoboken Public Library supports the principle of open, free, and unrestricted access to information and ideas, regardless of the format in which they appear. This position is supported by both the American Library Association and the New Jersey Library Association. The Library endorses the American Library Association's "Library Bill of Rights" and its "Resolution on the Use of Filtering Software in Libraries" as well as the New Jersey Library Association's statement on "Restriction of Internet Access and Use of Filtering Software in Libraries".

Internet access is available to all patrons of the Hoboken Public Library. Patrons over the age of 11 but younger than 18 may only use the computers in the Young Adult Section on the third floor of the library. If the computers in the Young Adult section are not available, Young Adults may use the computers on the second floor. Patrons under the age of 11 unaccompanied by a parent or guardian may only use the computers in the Children's Room.

Rules for Internet Computer Use
Reference Department

Users must be familiar with the Library's "Policy and Guidelines for Responsible Internet Use."

Use of computers in the Reference Department is restricted to users 18 years of age and older, except when computers are unavailable in the Young Adults room. There will be no group sharing of computers. Specific computers cannot be requested by patrons.

Hoboken Public Library Card Holders, BCCLS Library Card Holders, and Hoboken Courtesy Card Holders can register at the self service station located near the photocopy machine in the computer area for an hour session. Visitors must register in person at the Reference Desk for an hour session. Two sessions are allowed per day. Patrons will be assigned to a computer and must remain on the computer to which they are assigned. No telephone appointments will be accepted.

Users must perform their own searches. Staff provides limited instruction, time permitting, on the basics of Internet and computer use. Free computer tutorials are available at the library by appointment. Patrons must sign up ahead of time for tutorials with a Reference Librarian. First priority for classes is given to Hoboken and Hudson County residents. Only two tutorials are offered per person.

Printing must be completed within the allotted hour time slot. The library reserves the right to restrict printing to 10 pages per session. Users will be charged .15 for each black and white printed page and .35 for each color page. Users who use their own paper will still be charged. Users will not be able to use envelopes or other materials that are likely to jam the printers.

Users are not authorized to CD-ROMs into drives. Floppy discs or CDs may be purchased from the Library for $1.00 and used to save materials. Floppy discs may be used in the computers. This policy is in place because of security concerns.

At the end of each session, users will close all applications.

Computers and printers must be used as provided. Users are not permitted to add, delete, or modify the installed hardware or software.

If any user abuses or engages in unauthorized use of computers, their computer privileges will be denied. The Library does not authorize or permit chatroom services for anyone under 18. E-mail transmission or receipt is permitted.

After 5 p.m., and when the Children's Room and Young Adult Room is closed, users 10 years of age and older may sign up for computers in the Reference Department.

Computers will be turned off 15 minutes before the library closes.

Rules for Internet Computer Use:
Children's and Young Adult Department

Use of computers in the Children's Department is restricted to users between the ages of 5 and 10. Children under 5 must be accompanied by a parent at the computer. Use of computers in the YA Department is restricted to users between the ages of 11 and 17. The following rules apply to both departments.

There will be no group sharing of computers.

Users must register in person at the Children's or YA desk for a 30-minute session on the hour and the half hour. Patrons will be assigned to a computer and must remain on the computer to which they are assigned. No telephone appointments will be accepted.

Users must be familiar with the Library's "Policy and Guidelines for Responsible Internet Use".

Users must perform their own searches. Staff provides limited instruction, time permitting, on the basics of Internet and computer use.

Printing should be completed within the 30 minute time slot. The Library reserves the right to restrict printing to 10 pages per session. The first 10 pages printed will be free if they are for school. User will be charged .15 cents for each additional page printed. Users may not use their own paper.

Users are not authorized to download to a floppy disk, nor load CD-ROM's into computer drives.

At the end of each session, users will close all applications.

Computers and printers must be used as provided. Users are not permitted to add, delete, or modify the installed hardware or software.

If any users abuses or engages in unauthorized use of computers, their computer privileges will be denied. The Library does not authorize or permit chatroom or newsgroup services. E-mail transmission or receipt of e-mail is permitted.

After 5 p.m., when the Children's and YA Rooms are closed, users 10 years and older may sign up to use the computers in the Reference Department.

Computers will be turned off 15 minutes before the Library closes. On Saturdays, computers will be turned off 15 minutes before the library closes.

Restriction of Internet Access and
Use of Filtering Software in Libraries

The New Jersey Library Association:

Affirms the right of all users to have unrestricted access to the Internet.

Affirms the right of libraries to make filtering software available to those who deliberately choose to use it.

Acknowledges the right of parents to determine the level of Internet access for their minor children.

Since the advent of the Internet, libraries have ceased to be repositories of selected materials alone and have become gateways to a vast and ever-changing array of resources not selected by library employees or—for the most part—evaluated by anyone in any way. In contrast to most of the print materials in library collections, the majority of Worldwide Web sites are published by their "authors" and have not been subject to the scrutiny of a publisher’s editorial staff. Many of these sites provide reliable, current, readily-retrievable information, some of which is obtainable nowhere else. Unfortunately, some Web sites provide misinformation or content objectionable to some.

Throughout the nation, public officials, activists' groups, and ordinary citizens have begun to demand that libraries deny or restrict access to those sites that violate particular—and often varying—criteria. Restricting access contravenes principles long espoused by the library profession.

Libraries seek to accommodate the broadest spectrum of library users. The association acknowledges that some library users may wish to shield themselves and their own children from unintentional exposure to text and images that they deem offensive.

Regulation of access by minors is the responsibility of their parents. Libraries may accommodate these users by making filtering software available.

The shortcomings of filtering software are widely recognized. Some filtering programs inadvertently block access to some websites that may be considered useful as well as to sites that may be deemed offensive. Other programs depend upon reviewers to select sites for blocking but give no indication of the criteria the reviewers follow. Filtering programs sometimes block access to certain sites solely because they contain links to other sites deemed objectionable. Libraries that make filtering software available to their users are urged to provide them with information about its limitations and about possible unforeseen consequences of its use.

Adopted as revised by the N.J.L.A. Executive Board on Oct.19, 1999.