The Somerville Public Library is pleased to offer free Internet access to the public.  There are currently fifteen computers in the Reference area that are connected to the Internet (fourteen signup machines with printing, and one 15 min. machine).  Patrons may print to a large shared printer that serves all the signup machines.  Please read the policy and procedures below for detailed information about Internet use at the library.

• Internet Policy
• Teens: careful use of MySpace, Facebook, and other social networking sites.

Internet Access Rules and Procedures

• STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS for Pharos internet sign-up system

• All Internet signup for the computers in the main reading room of the Central Library requires a Minuteman Library card and is done on a self-service basis at the sign-up (queue) station next to the 14 internet machines. The initial signup is for 1 hour, with the possiblity of extending time or signing up again for a 2nd hour, for a maximum total use of 2 hrs. per day.

• If a patron only wants to use only part of an hour (e.g. 15, 20, or 30 mins., etc.), the patron can sign off the computer early and the balance of the hour will be saved for use later in the day.

• Internet sign-up with a library card may be done in-person for either immediate use (depending on computer availability) or for a reserved time later in the day or the following day, or by telephone for a reserved time later in the day or the following day. Please have your library card ready when you call so that we can take the number.

• Assigned or reserved computers are held only for 5 minutes. After this the system automatically frees the computer for use by others, and you will have to sign-up or reserve again at the end of the queue of other users.

• You may sign up only for yourself, and must use your own library card.

• Only one person at a time may use any single computer.

• Problems with the machines, the network, and the Internet are often beyond the control of Library Staff.  If you lose a portion of your time slot due to any of these problems we will try give you more time, but this may not always be possible.

• As noted above, you may sign up one day in advance for a reserved computer.

• Printing is done to a printer shared by all internet terminals, and must be pre-paid at the printer:  15 cents per page.  Pages not picked up by the time the library closes will be discarded.  You must pay for all of your printouts.

• The 15 minute standup computer is an express computer designed for short and quick use (e.g. a quick check of any recent e-mail received, a quick map or directions, etc.) It is strictly limited to 15 mins. and does not require a library card. It is first-come/first-served, and you just need to wait in line if someone is using it or waiting for it. It has its own individual printer below its stand, and you pay for prints at the Reference Desk, at the rate of $.15 per page

• Because of the shared nature of the internet printer, you may not use your own paper (e.g. for resumes, etc.) We prefer patrons to use our printers with the normal library paper, but if you really need to use your own paper to print resumes or other items (non-internet), you may do so on one of the word processors that are signed up through the Reference Desk. The cost of printing will still be $.15 per page to cover our ink and maintenance costs.

Failure to comply with this Internet Policy may result in the loss of your Internet privileges.