Internet Access and Safety

The Library offers access to the Internet to everyone under the provisions of this policy. All users must agree to abide by the guidelines within this policy in order to use library computers. There will be no charge for access to the Internet. Patrons will be allowed access to the Internet on a walk-in basis during the Library’s normal operating hours. Reservations for time blocks are possible. The Library may limit a user’s time when others are waiting.

 

  1. The following activities are prohibited:

    • Displaying or accessing inappropriate matter, as defined below.

    • Harassing, insulting, or attacking others.

    • Damaging Library equipment or property in any form or fashion.

    • Violating copyright laws.

    • Unauthorized access, including hacking and other unlawful activities

  2. The Library reserves the right to terminate a patron’s access to the Internet for violation of these regulations, or violations of the Library Patron Behavior Policy.
     

  3. Internet access on Library computers is subject to content and malware filtering. Sites may be unblocked in the case of false-positives at the request of the patron. Sites may also be temporarily unblocked for patrons 18 years of age or older when necessary to enable access to bona fide research or other lawful purposes.  Unblocking shall be performed only on terminals in the less public areas of the Library. Users shall not permit minors to view inappropriate matter, and shall not leave the terminal when such matter is displayed.
     

  4. Parents and guardians signing on behalf of users under 18 years of age are responsible for the activity of the minors they sign for. The Library is unable to monitor internet usage of such minors on Library computers. Parents and guardians agree to assume the risk and  provide guidance in and set standards for Internet use by such minors. Parents and guardians are responsible for:

    • Preventing access to inappropriate material by minors. Internet filtering software is not completely effective in blocking access to inappropriate matter, there is still a risk that inappropriate or otherwise offensive matter may be accessed. 

    • Ensuring safety and security of minors when using e-mail, chat rooms, social media, and other electronic communication.

    • Preventing unauthorized access, including hacking and other unlawful activities by minors

    • Otherwise preventing disclosure of personal identification information of minors
       

  5. The Library can not guarantee the confidentiality of any information stored on Library computers or transmitted on the Library network. The Library respects the privacy of all electronic communications, and makes every effort to protect such privacy. However due to limitations in technology, electronic messages and stored data are inherently insecure. Additionally, in order to maintain, repair, or develop the Library network, IT staff will have reasonable access to the information in files and messages when necessary, as governed by the normal expectations of professional conduct.

 

This policy shall be reviewed as necessary or at least every five (5) years.

Definitions

  1. “Inappropriate matter” means visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.

  2. “Obscene” means obscene under the following three-part test set out by the United States Supreme Court in Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973):

    1. whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work (taken as a whole) appeals to the “prurient” interest;

    2. whether the work depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive way; and

    3. whether the work (taken as a whole) lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

  3. “Child pornography” means, as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1460, any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture, or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where:

    1. the production of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct;

    2. such visual depiction is, or appears to be, of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct;

    3. such visual depiction has been created, adapted, or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or

    4. such visual depiction is advertised, promoted, presented, described, or distributed in such a manner that conveys the impression that the material is or contains a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

  4. “Harmful to minors” means, as provided in the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

    1. taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;

    2. depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and

    3. taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

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