Questions About the Library's Internet Service
Why does the Library provide Internet service?
What Internet services does the Library offer?
Why does the Library prohibit accessing chat sites and services?
Can I check my email at the Library?
Can you tell me something about the Library’s Internet network? How fast is the Library’s connection to the Internet?
What are Plug-ins and which ones are available at the Library?
How do I search the Web? There is no Search button.
Why is the Explorer Back button grayed out?
Why can’t I enter a URL in the Location box or Open Page dialog?
How do I print part of a World Wide Web page?
How will the Library help children and other customers find appropriate and useful resources on the Internet?
Why hasn’t the Library installed software to filter out pornography?
Why doesn’t the Library require parents’ permission before children may use the Internet?
How will the Library respond to inappropriate use of the Internet?
Why does the Library provide Internet service?
- Before the Library began offering Internet service in 1998, Library customers and community residents requested Internet access more than any other service that the Library did not provide.
- The Internet is an essential source of information in almost every field.
- Many student assignments require Internet research. Many students do not have access to the Internet at home.
What Internet services does the Library offer?
- The Library’s Internet service includes access to the World Wide Web and telnet.
- Internet Explorer is used to access the World Wide Web.
- Windows telnet is used to access telnet sites. Telnet allows the Library’s computers to emulate a terminal on another computer system.
- You may connect to a specific telnet site by clicking a telnet link on a Web page or by entering the address directly in the Location box. Enter a telnet address in this format: telnet://montn.ci.monterey.ca.us
- Accessing chat sites or services (real-time electronic communications where participants type what they want to say, and it is repeated on the screens of other participants—including AOL Instant Messenger, forums, etc.) is prohibited on all Library workstations.
Why does the Library prohibit accessing chat sites and services?
- One of the major concerns that has grown with the Internet is the danger of direct communication in chat sites. For example, there have been instances of adults joining conversations in children's or teen chat areas and persuading young people to provide personal information or agree to real-world meetings. The Library does not want to host perpetrators or victims of harmful interactions on the Internet. Since it would be both impossible and inappropriate for the Library to monitor the actual content of Internet conversations, the most sensible response to this threat is to prohibit all chat sites and services in the Library.
- The Library's Internet service is primarily for information, research, and education. Although chat sites and services can be used for these purposes—for example, when an author or public figure answers questions during a scheduled online appearance—this is very unusual compared with personal conversations. Eliminating chat from Library workstations makes them available for other uses.
Can I check my email at the Library?
- You may check your email at Library Internet workstations if your email is accessible through the World Wide Web or telnet (For example, if you use a Web-based email service, if your Internet service provider offers Web access to your messages, or if you have a Unix shell account that is accessible using telnet.) The Library does not provide email software or accounts. For more information, see this page.
Can you tell me something about the Library’s Internet network? How fast is the Library’s connection to the Internet?
- The Library has a separate Local Area Network for public use. This network allows customers to access the Library catalog and databases as well as the Internet.
- There are currently 19 Pentium workstations connected to the public network. Each workstation is connected to an HP laser printer.
Some workstations are reserved for Internet subscription databases, the Library Catalog, Civic Information Center links, and/or local history links only. - The Library’s network uses Windows 2000 software.
- The public network has 10mb (megabit) connection to the Internet through the City of Monterey I-Net. How long you must wait for a Web page to load depends on many different factors, including the number of graphics and other large files linked to the page, the speed of the Web server you are connected to, and net congestion between the server and the Library’s Internet service provider. On the whole, however, you will find that the Library’s Internet connection is exceptionally fast.
What are Plug-ins and which ones are available at the Library?
- Plug-ins are software programs that work with Internet Explorer to provide access to many different specialized file formats on the World Wide Web. Many of these file formats are for sound and video.
- Library workstations include the following Plug-ins:
Adobe Acrobat. This Plug-in allows you to read and print files in Acrobat or .pdf format. Many tax forms and other government publications are available in this format.
IPIX. With this Plug-in you can explore 3D bubble views while using World Book Online in the Library.
Quicktime. This Plug-in allows you to view and hear many standard video, animation, and audio files.
RealPlayer. RealPlayer allows you to view video clips on selected topics and to listen to most of the real-time "streaming" audio files on the Internet, including many radio programs.
Shockwave Flash. Shockwave Flash allows you to view and listen to interactive multimedia, graphics and streaming audio files. - While you are using the Internet, you may see an alert notifying you that you do not have the plug-in or other special software necessary to view or listen to a specific file. These files are not currently accessible on the Library’s workstations. If you wish to suggest that the Library install a plug-in for a particular file format, use the Suggestion Box or speak with a staff member at the Reference or Youth Services desk.
How do I search the Web? There is no Search button.
- Instead of enabling the Internet Explorer search bar, the Library offers links to Web search engines and directories selected by librarians for children and adults.
- For recommended children's search tools, go to the Kids Pages and click on Use Kids' Search Engines.
- For general search tools, go to the Reference Desk, then click on Search Engines and Directories.
Why is the Internet Explorer Back button grayed out?
- The Back button has not been disabled. If the Back button is grayed out, you are at the beginning of Explorer’s list of the sites you have visited.
- Sometimes, a World Wide Web site will send a command to Explorer to open up a new browser Window. When this happens, you will be browsing your first site in this new window and the Back button will be grayed out. If you wish to return to the previous window, you can either close the new window using the [x] button in the upper-right corner or minimize the new window using the [_] button in the same area. The old window will be behind the new one.
Why can’t I enter a URL in the Location box or Open Page dialog?
- The security software is set to permit only Internet addresses which begin with the following characters: http:, www, or telnet:. If you wish to browse a World Wide Web site with an address that does not begin with www, enter the full address in this format: http://library.uncg.edu/news/
How do I print part of a World Wide Web page?
- Web “pages” may be many printed pages long. To print just one part of a Web page, use the following procedure in Explorer:
- Hold the mouse button and drag the mouse to select the area that you want to print.
- Select Print from the Internet Explorer File menu.
- In the Print box, locate the Print Range section on the left side of the box.
- Click the button next to Selection.
- Press OK.
How will the Library help children and other customers find appropriate and useful resources on the Internet?
- Library Web pages feature links to resources selected for our customers and community. Youth Services pages will guide children to educational, fun, and appropriate sites, including sites which will help students complete homework assignments.
- Youth Services Web sites will link to Internet directories designed for children and to search engines which exclude possibly offensive material. All customers will be able to choose these directories and search engines.
- The Library will offer Internet orientation programs for parents, children, and the general public. Books, online tutorials, and other resources will be available to help customers become skilled Internet users.
- Library staff will help Internet users find the information they need. Youth Services and Reference staff will guide children to appropriate and useful Internet resources.
Why hasn’t the Library installed software to filter out pornography?
- Filters do not reliably exclude illegal or offensive material. They do exclude information that is legal and valuable. The Web is too vast and it changes too quickly for filters to be effective.
- Filters may be helpful for parents in the home, but they are not appropriate for libraries. They can give parents a false sense of security if they believe their children are protected when this is impossible to guarantee.
- Parents in our community are not in universal agreement about what is offensive and what is appropriate for their children. Filters must be configured by vendors or Library staff to exclude a set group of Internet sites, words, or phrases which may not address every parents’ concerns.
Why doesn’t the Library require parents’ permission before children may use the Internet?
- Many children would be denied access to a valuable educational resource because parents are not familiar with the Internet, are influenced by fears about the Internet, or do not have the time or interest to read and submit the permission form.
- Parental permission for Library Internet service would set a precedent. Parents may expect the Library to restrict children’s access to books, videos, compact discs and other library materials and services.
- Reference and Youth Services staff members would have to check customers against a database of approved Internet users, sign-in customers to use the Internet, and make sure that unauthorized customers do not use Internet workstations. Staff members would have much less time to assist Library customers.
- A parental permission policy would be impossible to enforce reliably with the Library’s current staffing and floor plan. Approved users would be able to turn workstations over to unauthorized individuals with an Internet session in progress.
How will the Library respond to inappropriate use of the Internet?
- Reference and Youth Services staff members will enforce the Library’s Internet policy. Inappropriate or disruptive activities will result in suspension of Internet privileges. Continued violation may result in suspension of Library privileges.
- Staff members will respond to all customer complaints and make every effort to resolve conflicts arising from the Library’s Internet service.
- Staff members who observe activities which may be in violation of the Library’s policy will encourage customers to pursue other activities. Staff members will exercise their professional judgment in applying the Internet policy and assisting Internet customers.
- Youth Services and Reference staff members will make a special effort to help children using the Internet. If children are observed viewing material which may be inappropriate or unhelpful, staff members will guide them to appropriate resources.
