Worcester Public Library Computer Lab Policy

The Worcester Public Library (WPL) Computer Lab is located on the third floor of the Main Library adjacent to the Periodicals Department. The Lab is equipped with 12 computer workstations and one instructor workstation.

Statement of Policy

The WPL Computer Lab is intended for educational use by WPL staff, area libraries, library organizations, the City of Worcester, and library related groups. This use includes staff and patron training, as well as other library related training. When no library related sessions are scheduled, the Lab is open to the public for individual use.
Exceptions to allow outside groups and organizations to reserve the Lab for Microsoft Office Suite or other training shall be handled on a case by case basis by the Head Librarian.
Use of the Lab for any other purpose, without review and approval by the Head Librarian, is strictly prohibited.

Regulations and Guidelines

•All groups and individuals are expected to abide by all state and federal laws, as well as the Library’s policies and procedures. (See Computer Lab Use Procedures and Rules for the Computer Lab)
•The Lab may not be used for any commercial purposes. No group, organization, or trainer shall be permitted to use the Lab if they intend to charge a fee to trainees for the training provided in the Lab.
•Guest trainers must consult with IT staff before using the Computer Lab.
•No beverages or other refreshments are allowed in the Computer Lab.
•Permission for a group to use the Computer Lab does not in any way constitute or imply an endorsement of its policies, beliefs or program by the City of Worcester, the Worcester Public Library and its officials, or the Board of Directors of the Worcester Public Library.

Reservations

Staff members who are responsible for such training or arrangement should reserve the Lab for training by going through the Lab Schedule link on Staff Home Page with the following information:
• Staff name
• Name of the training program
• Date & time of the training
• Hardware and software needed if any
(See In-House Procedure for Workshops and Classes in Computer Lab for details)

Inquiries regarding the Computer Lab availability can be made to Head Librarian’s Administrative Assistant by telephone at 508-799-1689 or email to jgreen@cwmars.org.

Cancellations

The Worcester Public Library requires notification of cancellations at least 24 hours in advance. If a group hasn't called or arrived within 30 minutes after its scheduled time, the Computer Lab will be opened to the public and the group may, therefore, be required to reschedule its event.

Equipment Use

Any group that encounters defective and/or damaged equipment shall report it immediately to Library staff. The applicant is responsible for the cost of replacing or repairing any equipment that is damaged by the group during its Lab session.

Penalties and Appeals

Failure to comply with the Computer Lab Policy and Rules may result in immediate termination of Computer Lab use, denial of future use of the Computer Lab, financial liability for damages, loss of Library privileges, and, possibly, legal action. Appeals may be made in writing to the Board of Directors of the Worcester Public Library.

Computer Lab Use Procedure

All individuals are expected to abide by Worcester Public Library’s Computer Lab Use Policy and Guidelines, Rules and Procedures, and Internet Use Policy.


AVAILABILITY

The Lab is open to the public for individual use when no group training sessions are scheduled. The Lab is open during the Library’s open hours and closes 15 minutes before the Library’s closing time.


USAGE

• Computer Lab computers are available to adults, young adults (13-17 years of age) and children accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Users may use the Lab computer on a first-come, first-serve basis if there is a vacant computer. Otherwise, users should wait patiently for the next available computer.

• No Worcester Library Card is needed for using the Lab computers.

• No time limit for using the Lab computers.

• No Internet access is provided on lab computers.

• Users press “ctrl+alt+delete.” A message will appear instructing the user to type “LAB” in the username box and press OK (no password).

• Sessions will be terminated after 60 minutes of inactivity. Users have to re-log in again to use the computer.

• Two pop-up messages will be sent separately to users 30 minutes and 20 minutes before closing reminding users that the computers will automatically shut down in 15 minutes and in 5 minutes.


SOFTWARE

Microsoft Office Suite 2003 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Publisher), MS FrontPage, Streets and Trips 2006, Encarta as well as e-learning tutorials are available on all Lab computers. Rosetta Stone Online and LearningExpress web links are also listed on the desktop.
Software programs are available on a self-tutoring basis. If you want to learn more about these programs, use one of the paper guides or use the online tutorials provided on the desktop.


HARDWARE

Floppy disks, CD-ROMs and USB drives are available to use. The USB drive should be plugged in before logging in to a Lab computer.


PRINTING

Black & white or color printouts are available. Documents may be printed at a cost of $0.15 for black and white per page at the Periodicals Print Station or $0.30 for color at the Information Desk Print Station on the first floor.

Rules for the Computer Lab

• Respect other users in the rooms - work quietly and keep noise and conversation to a minimum.

• Report any damaged equipment to the Periodicals staff before using it in the Computer Lab.

• When you have finished your work, please logout and free the computer for someone else, especially when the room is busy.

• Do not use the Computer Lab as a social gathering place.

• No food or drink is allowed in the Computer Lab.

• Maximum two persons per computer.

• No time limit for any individual who uses the Lab computer.

• Users may use software available in the Computer Lab. No installation of any software on a Lab computer’s hard drive is permitted.

• No programs or documents may be saved on the hard drive. However, they may be saved to a floppy disk or a USB drive of your own.

• The only peripheral equipment you may attach to a computer is your personal headphones, and jacks are available for this purpose.

• It is illegal to copy software programs, download or stream audio or video files that are protected under copyright law. Any patron found to be in violation will have his/her Computer Lab privileges revoked for a period of one year.

• If a user violates any Library or Computer Lab policies the Library reserves the right to cancel and/or suspend use of the Computer Lab by that user.

• The Library requires notification of cancellations at least 24 hours in advance. If a group hasn’t called or arrived within 30 minutes after its scheduled time, the Computer Lab will be opened to the public and the group may, therefore, be required to reschedule its event.