Answer

We provide computers with Internet access and Microsoft Office at all locations.

  • Sessions – three sessions per day, of up to one hour each, with a library card in good standing
  • Reservations – unnecessary, but you may call a library to reserve a computer; requires your library account sign-in (card number and password)
  • Nonresidents – can apply for a guest computer card once every 12 months with identification; the card is good for 60 days
  • Printing – 15¢ per page in black and white or 25¢ per page in color. Duplex (front and back) printing is not supported. To print remotely, see Can I print something from my own device?.
  • Saving – use online storage or bring a USB drive

Some of the Library's computing services are supported through Library Services and Technology grants.


Public Access Computer Use Policy

The Library provides access to the Internet without warranty as to the accuracy of the information available or the suitability of material that may be encountered. The Knox County Public Library System subscribes to a filtering service that attempts to limit the incidence of chance encounters with pornographic materials available on the Internet. No filtering service is completely effective.

The Library Reference Services Manager, Library Children's Services Manager, and Assistant Director for Public Services in consultation with the Assistant Director for Information Technology are responsible for the implementation of the Library's Internet filtering technology and comments or concerns should be addressed to them at IRC@knoxlib.org.

A Knox County Public Library staff member will disable the Internet filter if a site appears to be wrongly blocked.

Users are responsible for the content they access on the Library's network. Parents of minor children must assume responsibility for their children's use of or exposure to content accessed on the Library's network.

Library staff at all locations provide help with basic computer use. For more extensive help, patrons may request an appointment for personal instruction or to get information about computer literacy resources.

The Library assumes no responsibility for your personal hardware, software, or data as a result of using a public access computer or receiving assistance from library staff.

Confidentiality

As with any other information the user chooses to access, library staff will respect the patron's confidentiality. However, since computer screens are visible to others, they cannot be considered private. Some material is inappropriate for display in a public setting. Library staff reserves the right to monitor for compliance with this Policy.

Computer Use Restrictions

Computer users may not:

  • Install software or hardware, or alter the computer's configuration
  • Apply unnecessary force or otherwise cause damage to computer hardware
  • Use computer equipment to violate copyright; or attempt to gain unauthorized access to other computers or computer systems; or in any way which violates any other applicable law
  • Display any "material which depicts nudity, sexual contact, excess violence or sado-masochistic abuse, and which is harmful to minors" per the Tennessee Code 39-17-911

Computer users must use only their own identification for computer access.

No more than two people per computer is allowed.

Special-use Computers

Children's Room at Lawson McGhee, McClung Collection, and Branch children's computers are dedicated only to the use of resources associated with the information services of that area. Other use is prohibited.

Access by minors

Parents and legal guardians of children under the age of 18 are responsible for monitoring their children's use of the Internet and for deciding what Internet and other Library resources are appropriate for their children.

Per the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), minors should use caution in their use of electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications, as these forms of communication can expose minors to dangerous situations. Minors should never disclose personal information, such as name, school, address, and telephone number to strangers on the Internet, and they should not agree to meet people they have communicated with on the Internet without permission of a parent or guardian.

  • Last Updated Mar 08, 2023
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