Room and Equipment Policies
Activities, Meetings, Business
No activity, meeting, or business may be conducted in Bedford Public Library or on its grounds that is affiliated with a nongovernmental business, agency, or person that generates a fee for that agency, business, or person.
Adopted by the Bedford Public Library Board March 19, 2014. Reaffirmed March 16, 2022.
Computer and Internet Use Policy
Staff will assist Library customers in using their own or library computers/mobile devices as time permits. We are happy to help with simple questions as needed.
Bedford Public Library laptops may be checked out for personal use while in the Library. Time on these computers may be limited if others are waiting.
Children must use computers located in Child/Teen Services. Computers in Child/Teen Services are also available to parents and caregivers who have children under 12 with them. Children and teens will be given priority on all computers located on this floor.
Computer equipment/mobile devices may be checked out to customers for use only while in the Library. Law enforcement may be called to retrieve any device removed from the Library.
Parents or guardians are responsible for supervising and approving their child’s use of the Internet at the Bedford Public Library. The Safe Child Policy for the Library requires all children less than 12 to be supervised by a parent or caregiver 14 years of age or older.
All Bedford Public Library computer systems are filtered to protect against access to obscenity, child pornography, and sexually explicit graphical materials as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2001. Filtering software is not 100 percent effective; parents and or guardians must assume responsibility for a minor's Internet use. The Library does not act “in loco parentis”; therefore, a parent or a guardian is responsible for their child’s use of the Internet. Some programs or applications may be blocked by our computer equipment and are not available.
UNACCEPTABLE USE:
- Illegal use that violates state or federal law.
- Harassment or violation of the privacy of others.
- Violation of federal, state, or local obscenity laws, including the viewing or printing of sexually explicit materials.
- Attempts to abuse, modify, or harm computer equipment.
- Minors, less than 18, may not use Library computers for any type of interactive communication.
The Bedford Public Library requires computer users to respect the rights and sensibilities of all Library customers. Viewing of inappropriate images or content will result in loss of computer privileges. Failure to comply with Library policy or staff direction may result in immediate restriction or termination of computer privileges.
The Library reserves the right to inspect or observe the use made of its equipment and resources for the purposes of enforcement of these policies. Persons accessing the Library’s wireless network are subject to all aspects of this policy. The Library will be the sole arbitrator of what constitutes a violation of this policy.
Reviewed and approved November 2018 and November 2019. Revised November 2020. Reaffirmed November 2021.
Program Room
The program room is available to governmental units for informational, educational, or cultural meetings. Use of the room does not imply endorsement of any viewpoint by the Library Board or staff. The code of conduct for Library use applies to all persons/groups using the program room.
POLICY:
• Contact the Library to schedule use of the room 812.275.4471.
• Room bookings may be cancelled by the Library up to two weeks in advance if the room is needed for Library purposes.
• Reservations are accepted up to two months in advance. No more than two bookings per group per month.
• Room capacity set by the State Fire Marshall is 49.
• Projection equipment is available and must be requested when the room is reserved.
• The room is available only during regular Library hours. The program room must be vacated 15 minutes before the Library closes.
• No activity shall be scheduled that:
• may endanger the safety and security of Library customers
• sells or endorses products or services
• solicits money, fees, donations, or memberships
• All activities must be free and open to the general public.
• The Library must not be identified as a sponsor or listed as a contact for information without permission from the Library administration.
• Refreshments should be limited to drinks and simple snacks only.
PRIORITY OF USE
1. Library programs
2. Governmental units
Approved by the Bedford Public Library Board July 2015. Revised May 2022.