INTERNET USE POLICY

REVIEWED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY

APPROVED BY THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD

ON NOVEMBER 20, 1997

APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL

JANUARY 27, 1998

 

PURPOSE

The mission of the Smith Public Library is to provide educational, informational, and recreational resources to patrons of all ages, cultural and economic backgrounds. The Library seeks to protect intellectual freedom, promote literacy, encourage lifelong learning, and provide library materials and information services. In response to advances in technology and an effort to broaden the educational, informational, and recreational resources offered by the Smith Public Library, the Library offers public access to the Internet.

The Internet offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages. It is, however, an unregulated medium with a highly diverse user population. The Library cannot successfully control and monitor all of the vast amount of material accessible via the Internet. In choosing sources to link to the home page, it follows generally accepted library practices. The Library staff members are not responsible for changes in content of the sources to which we link, nor for the content of sources accessed through secondary links. Beyond this, Library staff members do not monitor or control information accessible through the Internet and do not accept responsibility for its content. It is possible that individuals might access information they personally find offensive or disturbing. Individual users must accept responsibility for determining the suitability of content for themselves and their children. Please refer to the "Librarian’s Guide to Cyberspace for Parents and Kids" produced by the American Library Association and "Child Safety on the Information Highway" produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Interactive Service Organization. The Library’s web page has links to both of these sites. The Smith Public Library does not filter Internet stations.

 

INTERNET FUNCTIONS SUPPORTED

 

The Library does not provide electronic mail accounts, file transfer protocol, Internet Relay Chat, or Newsgroups. Printing is available at 10 cents per copy. Downloading is available. Refer to downloading and saving under the Internet usage guidelines.

 

RESPONSIBILITY OF USERS

 

Supervising Children’s Use

 

The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and information content. Library patrons use it at their own risk. Many sites carry sexually explicit and other types of information which may be controversial or inappropriate. Parents are responsible for monitoring the Internet activity of their children The Library does not censor access to materials or protect users from materials they may find offensive.

 

Choosing and Evaluating Internet Resources

 

It is also impossible to guarantee that data on the Internet is accurate. When evaluating information, consider the source and try to verify it in other databases or Library resources. The Library staff will be happy to assist you.

 

RULES FOR INTERNET ACCESS

Users may not:

 

Use the workstations to gain access to the Library's networks or computer systems or to any other network or computer system.

 

Obstruct other people's work by consuming gratuitously large amounts of system resources or by deliberately crashing any Library computer system.

 

Violate the system security of the library’s computers or any computer access through the library’s equipment.

 

Make any attempt to cause degradation of system performance.

 

Use any Library workstation for any illegal or criminal purpose.

 

Engage in any activity which is deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous, or slanderous.

 

Use impolite or abusive language.

 

Interfere with the operation of any computer, alter, damage, or destroy computer programs without the effective consent of the owner or licensee of those resources. These acts may be considered a misdemeanor or felony crime under Texas state law (SECTION 1. Title 7, Chapter 33, Section 33.02a).

 

Save or download files to the hard drive (drive C).

 

Employ Library systems to falsely identify themselves, falsely represent themselves, the Library or any of its policies, services or practices, or otherwise commit forgery or fraud.

Employ Library systems for the purpose of libel, slander, or any form of harassment.

 

Violate Copyright laws.

 

Violate software licenses or agreements.

 

Use the computer for any commercial activity.

 

A violation of these guidelines may result in revocation of access privileges to the library computers and/or the Smith Public Library.

 

You are liable for any damages or other court imposed remedies as a result of:

 

Violation of copyright laws

 

Violation of software license or agreement.

 

Violation of any state or federal law or local ordinance.

 

Destruction of or damage to equipment, software or data access to the library workstations or equipment belonging to the library.

 

Violation of the system security of the library’s computers or any computer access through the library’s equipment.

 

Disruption of network services.

Any other matter prohibited by this policy.

The City of Wylie and the Rita and Truett Smith Public Library is not responsible for the loss of any data or damage or liability that may occur from your use of the Library’s computer.

LIBRARY STAFF GUIDELINES

 

Staff members may not systematically employ system resources for the purpose of personal commercial gain.

Electronic communications and publications originating from Library systems are considered to be representative of the Library. Staff are to adhere to Library guidelines in this policy.

 

INTERNET USAGE GUIDELINES

 

Access: Anyone wishing to access the Internet from a library computer dedicated to the Internet must present his or her own current library card and leave it with a staff member for the duration of the session. A new patron may use a student ID or driver’s license until a library card is issued. Patrons are requested to sign at the information desk. Patrons must read and accept the Internet Policy and Guidelines before going forward and accessing the Internet. Youth under 18 years of age will be required to have parental or guardian permission to access the Internet. While the Library will make every effort to ensure that the use of the Internet is consistent with the Mission statement, parents are encouraged to work closely with their children in selecting material that is consistent with personal and family values and boundaries. The Library will provide anti-glare peripheral vision screens. These screens do not provide complete privacy.

 

Reservations: The Internet terminal may be reserved up to three days in advance. A sign-up sheet will be posted at the checkout counter. Ordinarily a reservation cannot be made for more than thirty minutes. However, library staff may reserve the Internet terminal for longer periods, when demonstrations or training sessions are scheduled. To claim a reservation, you must be present at the beginning of the reserved time period. If you are still absent after five minutes, you will forfeit your right to the reservation.

 

Time: Users are limited to 30 minutes at a time if others are waiting. If no one is waiting, and the other Internet workstation is not in use, the person may stay on until all computers are in use. In addition, users are limited to a total of one hour per day.

Printing: Printing is allowed, but counts as part of the time limit. It costs 10 cents per page for black and white copies. Color copies are not available.

 

Downloading/Saving Information: Users are allowed to download and save information. However, the diskette must be purchased from the Friends of the Library at the circulation desk. They may not bring in their own diskettes. This is an effort to prevent viruses. The floppy drive is locked. A library employee can assist you with use of the drive.

 

Hardware/software: Only library-supplied hardware and software can be used on library computers.

 

Noise/Crowd Control: To cut down on noise and crowding, no more than three people at a time may cluster around a single Internet workstation. The library reserves the right to lower that limit to two or even one person at a time when necessary.

 

 

COPYRIGHT

 

Copyright Law prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of "fair use". Users may not copy or distribute electronic materials (including electronic mail, text, images, programs or data) without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. Any responsibility for any consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user; the Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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