Palm Harbor Library's Mission Statement

"The Palm Harbor Library provides materials and services to help community residents obtain information meeting their personal, educational, and professional needs.  Special emphasis is placed on current, high-demand, high-interest materials in a variety of formats and on stimulating young children's interests and appreciation for reading and learning.  The library supports students at all academic levels and serves as a learning and educational center for all residents of the community"

Long-Range Strategic Plan 2008-2012

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Palm Harbor Library is to be the world’s best public library.

Internet Usage Agreement:

The Palm Harbor Library offers Internet resources equally to all users.  The Internet enables the library to provide resources not available within the confines of its own collection.  However, the Internet is an unregulated medium.  It offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, but it also enables access to some materials that may be offensive and/or illegal.  Individual users must accept responsibility for determining the suitability of content for themselves and their children.

 In addition, users must respect the legal protections to data and software provided by copyright and licensing laws.  Users may not represent themselves as another person nor use Internet access to transmit obscene, threatening, or harassing materials.  Although library staff and volunteers are able to offer some searching suggestions and answer some questions, they cannot provide in-depth training on the Internet or computer use.

Palm Harbor Library Wireless Internet Policy

Palm Harbor Library offers free wireless "WiFi" access to our Internet service. By choosing to use the Library's Internet service you agree to abide by the Library's Internet Usage Agreement stated below. Please take the time to read the policy before accessing the network.

Please be aware that the following limitations apply:

Where you can pick up the wireless signal

The entire building is not wireless accessible. You should be able to pick up the wireless signal in the Reference, Adult Services, and Circulation areas and in the Community Room. The Youth Room has very low signal strength.

How Safe is WiFi?
The Internet is a public communications network, which means that there can be untrustworthy parties between you and anybody you communicate with. WiFi unplugs the Internet and makes personal security risks more visible. WiFi poses the same risks to your personal information that a wired network poses, as well as some new risks. WiFi users need to educate themselves about these risks, and take steps to secure their personal information. Cautious WiFi users may choose not to transmit their credit card information and passwords while using any WiFi "hotspot", including the Library's. The Library cannot assure the safety of your data when you use either our wired or wireless Internet access.

What You Will Need

Wireless Technical Information

Wireless hardware and software vary as to the operating systems you may use on your laptop or PDA, so the same instructions may not work for everyone. In many cases, you don't need to do anything to hook up (just click on your browser), but you might need to check the following in your configuration:

Please note that the library staff cannot assist you with your laptop, PDA, card, or configuration. The library will not be responsible for any personal information (e.g. credit card) that is compromised, or for any damage caused to your hardware or software due to electrical surges, security issues or consequences caused by viruses or hacking. All wireless access users should have up-to-date virus protection on their personal laptop computers or wireless devices.

Laptops and other devices should never be left unattended in the Library, even for brief periods of time. The Library assumes no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to a user's equipment, software, data files or other personal property brought into or used at the Library's facilities.

Internet Usage Agreement

The Palm Harbor Library offers Internet resources equally to all users. The Internet enables the library to provide resources not available within the confines of its own collection. However, the Internet is an unregulated medium. It offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, but it also enables access to some materials that may be offensive and/or illegal. Individual users must accept responsibility for determining the suitability of content for themselves and their children.

In addition, users must respect the legal protections to data and software provided by copyright and licensing laws. Users may not represent themselves as another person nor use Internet access to transmit obscene, threatening, or harassing materials. Although library staff and volunteers are able to offer some searching suggestions and answer some questions, they cannot provide in-depth training on the Internet or computer use.

Because computers are located in public area, what you view is not private. Please be considerate of other library users and refrain from displaying materials that they might reasonably consider objectionable. In accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapters 847.011(1)a and 847.0133(1), displaying obscene materials to minors or printing such materials may be a violation of the law and could result in penalties up to and including imprisonment.

WiFi FAQ

1. What is wireless internet?
2. What are the advantages?
3. When is it available?
4. Can I access it from anywhere in the library?
5. How do I use wireless?
6. Will I need any special settings or passwords to connect?
7. Can the library help me configure my computer?
8. Since I'm using my own equipment, does the computer use policy still apply to me?
9. Will my wireless internet access be filtered?
10. What about virus protection and security?
11. Can I use my email software on my laptop?
12. When I access your remote databases, will I have to provide a library card?
13. Can I print from my laptop?
14. Can I use my own Headphones?
15. Are there power outlets available?

1. What is wireless internet?
Wireless internet access uses radio frequency to exchange information between the computer and the internet without the need for wires.

2. What are the advantages?
Wireless allows library users to bring their own laptop computers to the library to access the internet, allowing users to find more comfortable seating and not have to check out a computer.

3. When is it available?
Wireless is available during regular library hours.

4. Can I access it anywhere in the Library?
No, the whole building is not wireless accessible. You should be able to pick up the wireless signal in the Reference, Adult Services and Circulation departments and in the Community Room.

5. How do I use Wireless?
We use the WiFi standards of 802.11b and 802.11g.  These both provide up to 54 megabytes per second, depending on users and location. You will have to have a computer or PDA that is WiFi compatible with these standards. Your device will alert you an open wireless frequency. As long as you have your device obtaining the address automatically, it will connect.

6. Will I need special setting or passwords?
You will only need to make sure your computer is set to receive the IP addresses automatically.
Start
Settings
Network connections
Right click on local area connections
Click on properties
Click on TCP/IP
Click on properties
Make sure "Obtain IP addresses Automatically" is checked
Make sure "Obtain DNS Automatically" is checked.

7. Can the library help me configure my computer?
No, the library staff cannot assist you with your laptop, PDA, or your configurations.

8. Since I'm using my own equipment, does the computer use policy still apply to me?
Yes, you will also have to follow our Wireless Internet Policy. You also cannot disrupt other patrons, or conduct any activities that have been deemed illegal or objectionable material.

9. Will my wireless connection be filtered?
No, we will not filter your wireless connection.

10. What about virus protection and security?
It is the user's responsibility to provide anti-virus protection, firewalls, and pop-up blockers.

11. Can I use my email software on my laptop?
If you have your e-mail program configured properly, yes.

12. When I access your remote databases, will I have to provide a library card?
Yes, you will need your library card to be authenticated on our databases.

13. Can I print from my laptop?
No, we do not offer printing services to WiFi users.

14. Can I use my own Headphones?
We encourage any patron with audio or audiovisual materials they wish to listen to or view to bring their own headphones.

15. Are there power outlets available?
Yes, there are power outlets throughout the library.

Use of Library computers

Library computers are provided to customers for the purpose of accessing information and reference resources. In order to make these resources available to as many customers as possible and to make sure that the equipment is used in a manner consistent with the Library Code of Conduct, the following rules apply:

In order to allow all customers an opportunity to use the equipment, customers may be asked to comply with sign-in and time limitations.

Because computers are located in public area, what you view is not private. Please be considerate of other library users and refrain from displaying materials that they might reasonably be consider objectionable. In accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapters 847.011(1)a and 847.0133(1), displaying obscene materials to minors or printing such materials may be a violation of the law and could result in penalties up to and including imprisonment.

Misuse of library computers will result in the loss of computer privileges, potential loss of library privileges and possible prosecution. Such misuse includes, but is not limited to: damaging or altering computer equipment or software; downloading or installing any program on the hard drive of any computer; sending, displaying or printing obscene material.

Code of Conduct

This code of conduct is intended to encourage behavior, which supports the Library’s mission to provide the best possible resources in a warm, welcoming environment.  Behavior becomes unacceptable when it interferes with this mission, impinges on the rights of others, causes damage to buildings or equipment or causes injury to oneself or others.  Those willing to modify unacceptable behavior are always welcome to stay.  However, those unable to comply will be asked to leave.  If necessary, the authorities will be called.

Examples of Unacceptable Library Behavior Include: