Georgetown
Township Public Library
Acceptable Use
of Electronic
Resources Policy
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|
Statement
of Principle
Access
Minors
Rules & Agreement for Computer Use Compliance, Violation and Enforcement Administration & Modification
of Policy, Rules, Regulations & Procedures |
Statement of Principle
The Georgetown Township Public Library provides access to
computers, networks, and Internet services as a means to enhance patrons’
informational, educational, research, and enrichment opportunities consistent
with the Library’s mission and to ensure that residents have free and open
access to ideas and information. The
Georgetown Township Board and the Georgetown Township Library Director will
develop such policies, rules, and procedures as are necessary to insure the
fair, reasonable, and equitable access to and use of these resources. The
information included in this policy is intended to provide general guidelines
and examples and does not attempt to state all required or prohibited
activities by users. Library materials are available to learn about computer use.
Library staff will provide limited guidance but not instruction. All users of electronic resources are
required to read and agree to this policy and its contents prior to use of
Library equipment/services. If a user does not agree with the terms and
conditions presented herein, he/she should not use the Library’s electronic
resources. Adopted:
10/09/00 Revised: 02/26/07 Access
Use of the Library’s Internet computers and service requires a
current, valid library card from the Georgetown Township Public Library or
other Lakeland Library Cooperative library. Patrons must be in good standing
(as defined by Georgetown Township Public Library) to use the Library’s
Internet computers. Access may be restricted at any time for use not
consistent with this policy and/or associated guidelines, rules, procedures,
etc. Visitors from outside the Lakeland Library Cooperative may be
granted access to the Library’s Internet computers and service upon
presentation of a current, valid state driver’s license or state
identification card. (Visitor access will not be granted for individuals who
are eligible to register for a Lakeland Library Cooperative library card, but
choose not to do so or fail to provide/acquire required identification to do
so.) Unaccompanied access is limited to minors ages 12 – 17 with
written parental permission and adults (defined as individuals age 18 and
older). Children under the age of 12 may access the Library’s computers only
when accompanied at all times by an adult. Internet use privileges are not transferable. Only the library
cardholder may access Internet service through Georgetown Township Library
computers using his/her own library card. (The Library reserves the right to
(1) request identification and (2) terminate any session where the cardholder
is not the individual signed in.) Patrons using another person’s library card
(with or without permission) will have their electronic access privileges
suspended and/or terminated. Library staff will not look up or provide library card numbers
for computer or Internet access purposes. Patrons must bring their library
cards with them to access Internet service through the Library. (Replacement
library cards will be issued in accordance with Georgetown Township Library’s
Circulation Policy.) Some Library computers may be reserved for use only by minors.
Adults are restricted from using such computers, and minors are required
to use such computers. To use an Internet workstation, patrons
must sign-in via the log on page displayed on the computer to obtain one 30-minute
session. If no one is waiting at the end of that 30-minute session and
at least one additional Internet computer workstation remains available
within the designated grouping (adult vs. minor) for walk-in use, a patron
may register for one additional 30-minute session. (If the “additional”
Internet workstation remains vacant for a minimum of 10 minutes, the patron
may register for his/her second 30-minute session.) A maximum time period of
one hour per day per person is permitted. The Library does not guarantee a
specific amount of time for computer use.
All
sign up must be completed in person. No reservations will be taken. If all
available Internet workstations are in use, Library staff may, at a
supervisor’s discretion, initiate a “manual” waiting list at the Circulation
Desk for the next available Internet workstation. A patron registering on a
manual waiting list must remain in the building in the vicinity of the
Internet workstations. Use of electronic resources may be
limited at peak times, and Library staff may reserve resources for classes,
training, special programs, maintenance, etc. Some resources/equipment may be
designated for specific purposes, and as such, time limits on these resources
may vary and are set by the Library Director. Computers, printers, etc. are
shut down 10 minutes prior to closing each day. Only one person may use a workstation
except where parents or legal guardians are required to be present or are
assisting a child. The Library Director, or designee, may approve or
disapprove requests for multiple users. Printing charges are assessed at the rate
established in the Library’s Fee Schedule. Patrons are responsible for using
“Print Preview” to determine the number of pages in the file before printing.
Patrons will be charged for all pages printed whether they take them or not.
(Personal paper products are not permitted in Library equipment.) Library computers do not allow users to
save documents/personal files or download data or software. Attempts to do so
will result in the suspension or termination of electronic resource access
privileges. Adopted:
10/09/00 Revised: 02/26/07 Minors
As with other types of
library materials, parents or legal guardians of minor children must assume
responsibility for their children’s access to electronic resources,
restricting and monitoring a minor’s access to information and use of
equipment. (Minor is defined as an individual under the age of 18.) Prior to being granted access to the Internet, anyone under
the age of 18 years of age along with the parent or legal guardian who
co-signed for the minor’s Library card must sign (in the presence of a
Library staff member) the Library’s “Child/Parent Computer/Internet Access
Permission Form.” This policy recognizes that (1) the Internet is an unregulated
medium and (2) minors are particularly vulnerable in the area of Internet
usage and are less able to make critical decisions in an informed and mature
manner with respect to accessing information via the Internet. The Library
cannot assure that a minor will not purposefully or inadvertently access
inappropriate materials, nor can it protect against the unauthorized
disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information
regarding a minor if the minor provides it while using the Internet. Therefore, parental supervision of minors searching the
Internet is advised, even with filtered access, as the Library cannot
guarantee that a filter will be successful in screening out all objectionable
or harmful content. The parent or legal guardian, not Library staff, is
responsible for the information selected and accessed by his/her child.
Library personnel do not and cannot act in loco parentis. In accordance with the federal Child Internet Protection Act
(CIPA), the Library utilizes a technology protection measure (or “Internet
filter”) on all Library computers. Per CIPA, the software is set to screen
out sites which may be reasonably construed as obscene, depict child
pornography, or are harmful to minors. (Users 18 years of age and older who
believe a site is being blocked or allowed in error may submit a request in
writing to have it reviewed by Library staff. A decision and any necessary
action will be made by the Library Director.) Adopted:
10/09/00 Revised: 02/26/07 Rules
and Agreement for Computer Use
The same rules and expectations govern patron use of
electronic resources as apply to other conduct and communications. Patrons are further expected to comply with these rules and
all specific instructions from the Library Director or other staff members
when accessing the Library’s computers, networks, and Internet services. Patrons may not use the Library Internet
stations for unlawful purposes or to view illegal content. Some uses of
Library-provided Internet and/or equipment use are not permitted. Such use
may constitute termination of one’s access or permanent revocation of one’s
electronic use and/or Library privileges. As such, the user shall: ·
Agree
not to incur any costs for the Library through the use of the Library’s
equipment or resources. ·
Obey
all applicable laws regarding copyright or licensing. ·
Refrain
from practices that interfere with fair and public use of the Internet and
its users. These practices include, but are not limited to the following:
The above serves as a sampling and is not intended to be
all-inclusive. Unauthorized/inappropriate use of the Lakeland Library
Cooperative Online Catalog and/or Internet System or the Library’s computer
network/equipment as defined in this policy is a violation of the Library’s
Rules of Conduct. Violations will result in the suspension of Library
privileges and/or revocation of electronic resource use and/or Library
privileges. Adopted:
10/09/00 Revised: 02/26/07 Compliance,
Violation and Enforcement
Patron use of the Library’s equipment,
networks, and Internet services is a privilege, not a right. Access entails
the exercise of responsibility. To remain eligible for such privileges, one
must make use of the equipment, network, etc. in ways consistent with the
mission of the Library and in accordance with direction of Library staff. It is the policy of the Library to provide an atmosphere
conducive to the appropriate use of Library services and facilities. The
rules of conduct outlined herein apply to all electronic resource users.
Patrons shall not use Library resources in a manner that disturbs or
interferes with other patrons, employees, or operations of the Library. All
patrons accessing the electronic resources must respect the rights of other
patrons not to be inadvertently exposed to materials and images they find
personally unsuitable. Library computers are located in public areas that
must be shared by users of all ages, backgrounds, and sensibilities. Thus,
all patrons are encouraged to consider this when accessing information and
images. Patrons who display information or images which cause a disruption to
the library environment will have their access privileges denied, suspended,
and/or terminated. The Library reserves the right to terminate an Internet or
other computer session at any time. Failure to comply with policies, rules, procedures, etc. as
well as unacceptable or inappropriate use of the Library’s electronic
resources may not only result in suspension or termination of computer and/or
Library privileges but also expulsion from the Library as well as legal
action Users will be held financially responsible for any damage to
Library computer equipment, software, etc. The Library Director shall have final authority to decide
whether a patron’s privileges will be denied. Utilizing computer access at the Georgetown Township Public
Library to perpetrate illegal acts will be subject to prosecution by local,
state, and federal authorities. Users (as well as parent/legal guardians in
the case of use by minor children) will be held responsible for his/her
actions with regard to the Library’s equipment and/or services. Adopted:
10/09/00 Revised: 02/26/07 Disclaimers
Patrons use Library computer hardware,
software, and services at their own risk. The Library assumes no
responsibility for the quality, accuracy, or currency of any electronic/Internet
resource; equipment malfunction; or loss associated with data or transactions
of any type. Patrons should recognize that, in addition to valuable and
reliable information, the Internet does contain inaccurate, dated,
incomplete, and controversial material. The Library makes no guarantee that all
Internet content and services will function on its equipment or via a
connection provided by the Library. The Library may limit user access to
Internet functions which it determines to be inconsistent with its mission
and goals, consume more resources than the benefit derived in support of the
mission and goals, compromise network/equipment security, etc. By accessing the Internet through the Library, patrons agree
that the Library will not be responsible for any direct or indirect,
consequential, special, or punitive damages or losses which may arise in
connection with their use of the Library’s equipment, World Wide Web server,
or from the Library’s connections to other Internet services. The Library assumes no responsibility for unauthorized
charges, costs, or illegal use and is not responsible for damages to, or data
on, a user’s personal computer/electronic equipment. Adopted:
10/09/00 Revised: 02/26/07 Privacy & Security
The Library retains control, custody, and supervision of all
electronic resources, including, but not limited to, computers, networks, and
Internet services provided. The Library reserves the right to monitor all
electronic resource use (including computer and Internet activity) by
patrons. Patrons should have no expectation of privacy. All
workstations are in view of other patrons and staff. The Library makes no
representations regarding the privacy of information sent over
equipment/connections provided by the Library. Transactions, communications, and activities are potentially
vulnerable to unauthorized access. Internet users should be aware that it is
not a secure medium. It is possible for third parties to obtain information
regarding an individual user’s search activities. Users should exercise
extreme caution about providing personal information on the Internet. Information relating to or in support of illegal activities
will be reported to the proper authorities. Adopted:
10/09/00 Revised: 02/26/07 Administration &
Modification of Policy, Rules, Regulations & Procedures
The Library reserves the right to modify
this policy at any time and without advance notice. The Library Director has the authority to
implement this policy and to create whatever rules, regulations, policies,
etc. necessary to enforce this policy and is responsible for establishing any
administrative procedures necessary to carry out this policy. Adopted:
10/09/00 Revised: 02/26/07 |