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RE: RE: Age Restrictions?
Showing 7 results.
Age Restrictions?
3:02 PM EDT 6/20/04
I am in the midst of updating some policies for our library as we are about to move in to a new building. For the first time ever we will have a computer lab and so this is a new policy for us. I looked around at other polices posted by public libraries on their web sites and noticed that several have statements such as the following:

The lab is to be used primarily by adults 18 and over. Minors under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult.

I am not comfortable with denying access based on age, and yet we are not sure if we will have enough staff to supervise the lab all day...

Just curious to see how others have handled this situation. My inclination is to leave the lab open for all...
RE: Age Restrictions?
3:02 PM EDT 6/20/04 as a reply to Janie Hermann.
I'll be interested to read responses here, too - we are building a new library and will have 2 lab-type rooms upstairs in the adult area (adjacent to my "office" so I guess I will be supervising). But we don't restrict computers by age in the present library so I wonder how the new setup will work. Children's will be downstairs in its own room and I think they will be restricting computer use there by age, to keep adults away. But that won't prevent teens from using the upstairs area. Don't know if anyone has thought about this here!

Pam
RE: RE: RE: Age Restrictions?
3:02 PM EDT 6/20/04 as a reply to Janie Hermann.
We doesn't allow net access for children under 13, unless a parent/guardian is present. We will let them play games and the like by using the "child" profile.

For 13+, they're allowed net access with no restriction other than location. We have two areas with computers, one in line of site, the other is not. For those 13-17, they're only allowed on the machines near the front desk.

It's not that we think they're going to go to naughty web sites, it's more about how they act. They can pick on each other enough (and our computers in turn) with us watching. We're more afraid of damage to the machines than anything else.
RE: RE: Age Restrictions?
3:02 PM EDT 6/20/04 as a reply to Janie Hermann.
We have used the following:

18 and up are on their own.

12-17 require registration by parent/legal guardian.

11 and under must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian.

Good luck!

Chad
RE: RE: RE: RE: Age Restrictions?
3:02 PM EDT 6/20/04 as a reply to Janie Hermann.
I agree, there is too much damage being done to computers when our backs are turned. Fortunately all of our computers are within sight, we have no separate computer lab. Still there are those........
Our policy is 18 and older unlimited with one hour restriction if there are people waiting to use the computer.
15 - 17 with parent/guardian signature approval; unlimited with 1/2 hour restriction if there are people waiting to use the computer.
under 14 with parent/guardian signature approval; parent/guardian must be present with child when child uses the internet, parent/guardian does not need to be present for child using games unless the child is under 6 years old.
15 minute time restriction if people are waiting to use the computer.
The time restrictions remain in place whether the person is using the internet, word processing or just games.
RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Age Restrictions?
3:02 PM EDT 6/20/04 as a reply to Janie Hermann.
Thanks to everyone for replying... RL has been a lot of fun lately...

A couple of comments:

1. If you have a lab next to your office, you won't be supervising it... trust me, you'll need staff or volunteers in the lab.

2. Our policy is under 18 needs a parental signature on the acceptable use policy to use the resources. This has more to do with understanding and agreeing to a contract with a minor.

3. While we have no dedicated lab or 'children's area' usage of the machines are the same across the board. 1 hour time limit if someone is waiting. 2 hours max per day if people are waiting. If no one is waiting unlimited use. I do not consider children/teens anymore of a security risk than adults. Both download programs they are not supposed to and can break machines, just in different ways [ignorance and/or puposefulness].

4. Don't forget if you are getting Federal money, by June 30 CIPA requires you to be filtered and remove that filter for anyone who has attained the age of 17 upon request. Another staffing issue for Libraries.
RE: RE: Age Restrictions?
3:02 PM EDT 6/20/04 as a reply to Janie Hermann.
Just a quick update... our access policy is now written and in the end, after much debate, we will not have any age restrictions for the use of our new lab. We will, however, have a full-time lab assistant and the lab will be open only when supervised.

Thanks for all the replies to this topic... I am sure it is an interesting area of debate in many libraries !