Photo ID Required, Fees and Other Orland Library Computer Use Policy Changes

The Orland Park Public Library has recently adopted changes to its computer use policies, following criticism about incidents of patrons accessing pornographic sites on library computers.

Any adult who wishes to use a library computer will have to show photo identification, which will have to remain with the library staffer supervising the computer area for the duration of computer use. Children too young to have a picture ID they carry will have to show a library card, either from Orland Park Public Library or from another library.

Non-residents visiting the library will soon have to pay a fee for time spent on the computer. Library staff have recommended charging non-residents $2 for every hour spent at library computers, according to Orland Park Public Library spokeswoman Bridget Bittman.

“We realize that non-resident children who come to do research and write a paper may come from a home without a lot of money and no computer at home,” Bittman said. “We felt an amount higher than that is unreasonable.”

Orland Park Public Library trustees will have to approve the final cost for out-of-towners to use computers before it goes into effect.

Family unit computer areas are available, where for 30 minutes, a parent and child can use a computer together. These units will adhere to the same ID check in, and depending on the board’s decision, out-of-towners may also have to pay a fee to use them as well.

Two “Internet express” computer stations are available for people to use only up to 15 minutes for no charge. Non-residents also wouldn’t be charged for using the express stations. They are located in the adult computer area.

Privacy screens on computers will only be removed if a patron has a vision disability, and staff members will assign computers rather than people just choosing a computer at will.

All of the listed changes are now in effect, except for fees for non-resident computer use. That is still pending board approval, Bittman said.

“We want people to know we take the complaints seriously and have made changes we think will insure safety of teens, kids and adults at the library,” Bittman said.

 Read past posts related to the issue:

• Library Porn Viewing Sets Mother on a Mission in Orland
• Woman Changes Story About Man Touching Himself in Library
• The Orland Park Public Library's Statement on Computer Use
• Megan Fox's Full Statement on Pornography at the Orland Library
• Chief: 2 Incidents in 11 Years Where Library Should’ve Called Police
• 11 Years of Weird Incidents at the Orland Park Library

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