ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY

General Policies and Guidelines

The Illinois State Library is dedicated to providing access to knowledge and information through reading and writing, providing patrons the right to use library materials and services--both electronic and in print--without being disturbed or impeded, and providing patrons and employees a secure and comfortable environment. So that all persons may enjoy the benefits of the Illinois State Library, individuals visiting or using the library's public service areas must comply with the following Policies and Guidelines.

Library Patrons’ Responsibilities

Patrons are expected to observe the rights of other patrons and staff members and to use the library for its intended purposes. The following will not be allowed in the library:

• any behavior that endangers the safety or health of others
• harassment of library patrons or staff
• violation while in the library of any local, state, or federal law
• vandalism, theft, or deliberate destruction of library materials or property
• deliberate disruption of library procedures or violation of Secretary of State policies
• use of abusive language
• behavior or decorum that disturbs or could disturb other patrons
• smoking, eating, or drinking except in designated areas
• any action, activity, or condition that obviously causes a public health threat

Any patron (including any minor) who is behaving in an inappropriate manner will be asked to leave the library.

A patron who repeatedly violates these rules may be permanently prohibited from entering the State Library and will be subject to the suspension of library privileges by authority of library security and/or library management.

The police will be summoned in cases in which a patron poses a danger to himself or others, deliberately violates the law, or refuses to leave the library after being asked to do so.

Use of Computer Equipment

Public computer workstations are available to access our library resources and databases for research purposes only.

Library staff members are solely responsible for the maintenance of computer equipment. Patrons may not tamper with equipment. Report printer supply needs, jams, and other problems to the reference desk staff.

The use of personal software is prohibited.

Wireless Internet Access (WiFi)

The Illinois State Library offers free wireless Internet access (WiFi). Access to our wireless Internet network is available to anyone with a laptop or other Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices. The State Library does not provide wireless adapters. You may view answers to frequently asked questions about WiFi access at the State Library.

Printing:

• State employees, not engaged in work-related inquiries, and the general public shall be given a maximum of 20 sheets for printing.
• Patrons may not supply their own paper.
• Patrons may only print on one side of a sheet of paper.
• Printing is not available from the wireless network.

Downloading Files:

• Downloading to the hard drive (C:) is prohibited.

Electronic Networks: Guidelines for Use

The Illinois State Library requires that library patrons using electronic information networks such as the Internet do so within the guidelines of acceptable use. The following activities are unacceptable and may result in loss of library privileges:

• use of electronic information networks for any purpose which results in the harassment of other users or the promotion of violence
• violation of system security; destruction of, damage to, or unauthorized alteration of:
  1) the library’s computer equipment software
  2)network security procedures
• use of electronic information networks in any way that violates federal or state law
• use of electronic information networks in any way that violates licensing and payment agreements between the Illinois State Library and network/database providers
• unauthorized duplication of copy protected software or violation of software license agreements
• behaving in a manner that is disruptive to other users, including, but not limited to, overuse of computer equipment which serves to deny access to other users
• sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics that may be reasonably construed as obscene.

About Children and the State Library

Internet access at the Illinois State Library is unfiltered. The Illinois State Library supports the right of all library users to have access to information and will not deny access to electronic information networks based solely on age. However, library staff members are unable to monitor children’s use. Additionally, the Illinois State Library cannot act as a censor or substitute parent.

Children ages 17 and over may use the library without adult supervision.

Children ages 12 - 16 must either:

• be accompanied and supervised at all times by an adult OR
• file with the Illinois State Library a completed copy of the Permission for Library Use form.

Children ages 11 and under are not permitted to use the resources of the Illinois State Library without adult supervision.

Teachers, docents, or guardians of tour groups of children are responsible for their groups’ actions including Internet use.

The Illinois State Library recognizes that the electronic information networks such as the Internet may contain material that is inappropriate for children. Parents are expected to monitor and supervise their children’s use of the Internet. Parents are encouraged to discuss with their children issues of appropriate use and electronic information network safety. It is the parents’/guardians’ responsibility to ensure that their children’s use of the Internet is appropriate and safe. The Illinois State Library recommends that you visit NetSmartz411.org, an online service provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to answer questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web.