Children's Internet Computer | Computer/Internet Guidelines and Policy 
Wireless Network Policy

Computer Use Policies 

Laptops for Library Use
The Round Rock Public Library provides a collection of laptop computers available for check out and use in the library building.  Customers with a valid Texas ID or drivers license and a Round Rock Public Library card in good standing are eligible to use this service.

The Library reserves the right to terminate the loan of a laptop at any time, without notice to the borrower if a library employee believes the laptop has been left unattended by the borrower, used in violation of policies, or used in a manner that is likely to damage the machine. The Library also reserves the right to refuse loan of a laptop to any person who has damaged library equipment in the past or used computer equipment in violation of Round Rock Public Library policies.

Loan periods and availability
Laptop computers are available on a first come, first served basis and no reservations are permitted. Laptops circulate for a period of two hours and are not renewable. Overdue fine is $1 per hour with a maximum fine of $8.  Laptop checkout does not count against daily PC time limits. Laptops are for use inside the library only. Laptops should be returned to the service desk 15 minutes prior to closing.

To check out a laptop, a patron must meet ALL these requirements for each check out:

• Minimum age 16
• Fines under $5
• Cannot be a TexShare member of RRPL
• Present his/her own actual RRPL card--not just the number
  • RRPL card must be presented each and every time a laptop is checked out
• Present his/her own actual Texas Driver's License or Texas ID—no other form of ID will be accepted including driver’s licenses from other states
  • Texas Driver's License or ID must be presented each and every time a laptop is checked out

Liability
If a laptop is damaged, lost or stolen, the customer is responsible for the replacement cost of the laptop. 

Limitations of use

• Laptop use is subject to the Round Rock Public Library Internet Use Policy.
• Laptops may be used only inside the library, but may not be taken into the restrooms.
• Laptops should never be left unattended.
• Only one laptop may be checked out on a library card at a time.
• Only one laptop may be checked out per card/borrower per day.
• Customers should not tamper with the security settings on the laptop. Doing so will result in the loss of borrowing privileges and/or fines.
• Personal software should not be downloaded onto the laptop and no user files shall be retained on the hard drive.
• TexShare cardholders are not eligible to check out laptops.

Adults' Public-Access Computers
The library has 31 internet computers (16 unfiltered, 15 filtered) and 1 word processor. If you find an available computer, you can log in using the instructions below. If all the computers are busy, please go to the computer terminal at the reference desk and make a reservation for the next available computer.

To log into the library card holders' computers, enter your library card barcode number and your 4-digit PIN number when prompted. Your PIN is the last 4 digits of the phone number the library has on record for you. If you are unsure of what your PIN is, ask for a PIN lookup at a service desk.

To log into the guest computers, ask for a log-in slip from the the reference desk on the second floor. To use the word processor, which is NOT connected to the internet, no log-in is required. The word processor is available on a first come, first served basis.

All card-holders' and guests' computers print at the color printer at the reference desk. You will pay for your prints at the vending machine next to the computer terminal. All prints are $0.10 a page, and the vending machine accepts one and five dollar bills, quarters, dimes, and nickels. 

See our public access computer use policy for eligibility information. 

For guidelines for using the Library's wireless access on a personal laptop computer, see our wireless network's acceptable use polices and information.

Free Computer Classes

See the online calendar, printed monthly calendars available at the library, or the Computer Classes page.

Computer/Internet Guidelines

1.     Round Rock Public Library System Mission Statement:

The mission of the Round Rock Public Library System is to provide high quality informational, recreational, educational, and cultural resources and services to a diverse population.  We are committed to giving individuals, families, and businesses opportunities to expand their knowledge, encourage personal growth and lifelong learning, and enhance the quality of life in our dynamic and changing community. 

2.     Computer/Internet Purpose Statement:

We are committed to providing the fullest possible access to the Internet as “a rich and educational resource for information, ideas and entertainment” (ALA, 2003) and to computing resources generally in support of the library’s mission. We are particularly supportive of uses of these resources that enhance lifelong learning and meet critical information needs.

3.     Internet Computer Use Guidelines

3.1.   General Guidelines

All users must read the “Computer Use Agreement” and agree to abide by it before they may use any computer.

The Library is not responsible for any objectionable material that may be found on the Internet.

Parents are responsible for their children’s use of equipment, including selections of materials to be viewed.

All computer use is allowed on a first come first-served basis.

You may download materials to the computer’s hard drive, but they will be deleted when you log out or the computer shuts down.  You may also download materials to your own USB flash drive.  Flash drives can be purchased at the Reference Desk for $8.00.

3.2.  User Responsibilities

• Obey all federal, state and local laws.
• Treat library equipment in a responsible manner.
• Respect computer time limits and be courteous to other users.
• Be cautious when entering personal information such as address, bank account, SSN, or email address. The Library cannot guarantee total security and safety on the Internet.
• Use only your own library card or temporary barcode (guest users) to log on. Using another patron’s number or giving your number to another person to use will result in temporary loss of your Internet access privileges.
• Know how to use the computer and program(s) you plan to use. Staff members may not be familiar with all software programs available on the computers. The library offers computer training courses that may be an appropriate way to learn computer skills, and computer reference books are available as well.
• Pay for all printouts made from the machine during your session, including pages printed by accident. If you do not pay for prints made during your session, your Internet access may be blocked until payment is made.
• No more than two people may view a computer at once.  On stations with privacy glass, there is no Internet filter.  All users must be 16 or older or have written parental permission.  Showing web sites to unauthorized children will result in loss of your Internet access privileges.

3.3.   Prohibited Uses

Do not access, view, display, print, transmit, or distribute sites or material in violation of Texas laws regarding obscenity, child pornography, and materials harmful to minors as specified in Texas Penal Code §§ 43.22, 43.23, §43.24, or §42.26.

Texas Penal Code §§ 43.22, 43.23, 43.24, and 43.026 provide in pertinent part:

• Texas Penal Code §43.22: A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly displays or distributes an obscene photograph, drawing, or similar visual representation or other obscene material and is reckless about whether a person is present who will be offended or alarmed by the display or distribution.
• Texas Penal Code §43.23: A person commits an offense if, knowing its content and character, he wholesale promotes or possesses with intent to wholesale promote any obscene material or obscene device.
• Texas Penal Code §43.24: A person commits an offense if, knowing that the material is harmful [to minors] he displays harmful material and is reckless about whether a minor is present who will be offended or alarmed by the display.
• Texas Penal Code §43.26: A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally possesses visual material that visually depicts a child younger than 18 years of age at the time the image of the child was made who is engaging in sexual conduct.

(Authorities will be notified and your user privilege will be terminated if you are caught viewing a child pornography site.)

Do not violate copyright laws (Title 17, U. S. Code) by copying, downloading, or distributing copyright-protected files, except as permitted by the principles of “fair use,” without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Do not interfere with the operation of any computer, on-site or remote.

Do not alter, damage or destroy data or computer programs.

Wireless Network Policy

Acceptable use guidelines for public Internet network on personal laptops

The Round Rock Public Library public network is a part of the "Road Runner" network. Per our agreement with Road Runner, you may not run any type of server service; i.e., FTP Web, Mail or Game server from this network.

This is not a secure network. There is the possibility that someone may try to break into your system, and, therefore, we recommend the use of a personal firewall.

Spamming from this network will cause the network to be taken off line permanently no matter who the culprit is.

Note: By your use of this network, you understand that it is subject to random and periodic monitoring and that, by federal law, we are prevented from telling anyone that they are being monitored or why.

By using this network, you agree to abide by Road Runner's Acceptable Use Policy.

Road Runner Acceptable Use Policy
Road Runner seeks to create and foster an on-line community that can be used and enjoyed by all its members. To further that goal, Road Runner has developed an Acceptable Use Policy. Although much of what is included here is common sense, Road Runner takes these issues very seriously and will enforce its rules to ensure enjoyment by all of its members. Road Runner therefore has reserved the right to remove any content posted to its system that it deems offensive, inappropriate or violative of its policies. It also reserves the right to suspend or cancel a subscriber's account for engaging in inappropriate conduct. (Subscribers, of course, also remain legally responsible for any such acts.) In using Road Runner, subscribers accept this non-exhaustive list of restrictions as well as those set forth in the Road Runner Cable Modem Service Subscription Agreement and agree to use Road Runner only for lawful purposes and not to use or allow others to use Road Runner in violation of the following guidelines:

Road Runner service is provided to you for personal, non-commercial use only. This service cannot be used for any enterprise purpose whatsoever whether or not the enterprise is directed toward making a profit.

The Road Runner service may not be used to engage in any conduct that interferes with Road Runner's ability to provide service to others, including the use of excessive bandwidth.

The Road Runner service may not be used to breach or attempt to breach the security, the computer, the software or the data of any person or entity, including Road Runner, to circumvent the user authentication features or security of any host, network or account, to use or distribute tools designed to compromise security, or to interfere with another's use of the Road Runner service through the posting or transmitting of a virus or other harmful item or to deliberately overload or flood that entity's system.

In using the Road Runner service, you may not use an IP address or client ID not assigned to you, forge any TCP/IP packet header or any part of the header information in an e-mail or newsgroup posting or probe, scan or test the vulnerability of any system or network by the use of sniffers, SNMP tools or any other method.

The Road Runner service may not be used to post or transmit content that violates child pornography statutes or contains graphic visual depictions of sexual acts or sexually explicit conduct involving children, or other depictions of children, the primary appeal of which is prurient.

The Road Runner service may not be used to upload, post, transmit or otherwise make available any materials or content that violate or infringe on the rights or dignity of others. These include, but are not limited to, materials infringing or compromising intellectual property rights or any party's ability to maintain trade secrets and other personal information as private; hate speech; threats of physical violence; harassing conduct; sexually oriented material that is offensive or inappropriate; and unsolicited bulk e-mail.

The Road Runner service may not be used to engage in or foster any consumer fraud such as illegal gambling, "Make Money Fast" schemes, chain letters, Pyramid, or other investment schemes, or to make or encourage people to accept fraudulent offers of products, items or services, originating from your account, or through a third party which implicates your account or to post or transmit off-topic or commercial messages on bulletin boards.

You may not engage in any of the above activities using the service of another Internet provider, while channeling such activities through the library’s Road Runner account or using this account as a mail drop for responses.