Internet Acceptable Use Policy
POLICY STATEMENTS
In fulfillment of its role as a public library in American
society, it is the mission of the East Bonner County Library District to provide
free and open access to information for educational, recreational and cultural
uses by library patrons of all ages and backgrounds. The Library will provide
access to the Internet as an integral part of this mission.
The same standards of intellectual freedom, privacy and
confidentiality endorsed by the Library District for traditional resources and
services also apply to electronic media, including usage of the Internet.
The East Bonner County Free Library District will comply with
provisions of State of Idaho and federal law as it applies to use of library
computers and access to information through the Internet.
Library employees are authorized to take prompt and
appropriate actions to enforce the Internet Use Policy, as stated or implied
herein, and/or other provisions of the Library Code of Conduct.
ACCEPTANCE STATEMENT
Use of a public access computer at any facility owned or
operated by the East Bonner County Free Library District is considered
acceptance of its Internet Use Policy. Patrons will reaffirm the agreement each
time they use the public access computer.
BACKGROUND
The Internet is a worldwide computer network that links users
to a massive body of information. The resources that are available on the
Internet expand the library’s information services well beyond traditional
collections and enhance its existing collection in size and depth.
The Internet is, however, largely unstructured and
unregulated. Users must be aware that the content they access may not
necessarily be verified as accurate, current, appropriate or legal, and that
they are solely and personally responsible for their use of this resource.
It is understood that the Library District and its patrons
each have separate and unique responsibilities regarding access to, and use of,
the Internet.
LIBRARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Library District seeks to protect the First Amendment
rights of its patrons and their individual right to privacy. The Library avoids
collecting or maintaining records that could compromise the privacy of patrons.
The Library has also designed and arranged a portion of its workstation
furniture to accommodate personal privacy.
The East Bonner County Free Library District provides a list
of recommended links to help users develop safe and wise Internet skills. These
links are reviewed regularly. They are available on the Library’s website and in
printed form in each library facility.
The Library provides access to the Internet through both
filtered and unfiltered computers. At least one workstation, clearly marked, in
each branch library offers filtering software for those who wish to use it.
Library staff does not make any judgment about which workstation a patron should
use. That decision is made by the individual user, of if the user is a minor, by
his or her parents or guardians.
The East Bonner County Free Library District supports as many
Internet protocols as it can, balancing library security, patron safety and
access. The library will assist in educating its patrons about the risks, as
well as the benefits, of communicating through electronic mail and chat rooms and
encourage the safe and wise use of this resource.
Library staff is prepared to recommend specific resources that
have been found to be reliable and can offer advice on how to evaluate content.
Staff is also available to assist with situations that may arise related to
computer hardware or software and Internet content.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF LIBRARY PATRONS
It is the individual user’s responsibility to demonstrate good
judgment, respect for others, and appropriate conduct while using the public
library and its resources, including use of the Internet.
Internet users must be sensitive to the fact that workstations
are in public areas, especially when accessing information that may reasonably
be offensive to someone else, and that images on the screen may be subject to
view by a wide audience. Not all content on the Internet is appropriate for
viewing by all library patrons or on all public access computers.
The nature of the Internet requires patrons to exercise
critical thinking skills to determine if content is truthful, relevant and
appropriate. Parents may need to supplement the inexperience of youth with
guidance for their own children, being willing and available to explain their
family values.
USE BY MINORS
Unlike schools, the public library does not serve in loco
parentis (in place of a parent). Librarians do not provide extensive care and
supervision of children as they explore the Internet. The responsibility for
what minors read or view on the Internet rests with the parents or guardians who
grant permission for use.
The parent, guardian or caregiver should instruct children
never to give out personal information (i.e., name address, password, telephone
number, credit card number) online.
LEGAL AND POLICY RESTRAINTS
The First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution does not protect
all content. No Library District public access computer may be used to view or
display obscenity, child pornography, or other illegal content.
No minor may view materials harmful to juveniles in violation
of federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
[The legal status of any particular content can be determined
only by a court of law with proper jurisdiction.]
A work protected by copyright law may not be copied without
permission of the copyright owner unless the proposed use falls within the
definition of “fair use.” Patrons are responsible for compliance with all state,
national and international laws governing copyrighted materials.
Other prohibited behaviors include, but may not be limited to:
- changing the settings and configurations of public access
computers;
- use of non-library software on library computers;
- use of library computers for instant messaging;
- use of library computers for unauthorized access, including
so-called “hacking,” or other unlawful activities;
- failure to pay printing charges incurred by the user;
- behavior that intrudes upon the rights of others.
Patrons are not permitted to invade the privacy of other
library patrons, to harass library staff or patrons, to damage or disrupt
library computer resources, or to send “spam” in violation of federal, state, or
local laws or ordinances.
RESPONSE TO PROHIBITED BEHAVIORS AND CONTENT
Misuse of a public access computer will result in the loss of
computer privileges, potential loss of library privileges and possible
prosecution.
An individual whose behavior violates library policy will be
warned about the specific behavior that is prohibited. If the violation
continues after a warning, or if other inappropriate behavior is demonstrated,
he or she may be asked to leave the library. An incident report will be prepared
and filed with the library director.
If a patron, or staff member, observes behavior or content
that may be illegal, either the patron or the staff may report it to a library
official. The Library will not judge the legality of content. It will help a
patron refer a concern about illegal conduct or content to the prosecuting
attorney or appropriate department of law enforcement.
INDEMNIFICATION
The availability of information does not constitute
endorsement of the content by the East Bonner County Free Library District.
Patrons who choose to use the Internet as an information resource do so at their
own risk.
The Internet offers open access to information, ideas and
commentary from around the world. However, not all sources provide information
that has been verified to be accurate, complete, current or legal. The East
Bonner County Free Library District does not monitor, and has no control, over
the information accessed through the Internet and is not responsible for its
content. The Library has no means, or statutory authority, to assure that only
constitutionally protected material is available on the Internet. The authority
to determine what is legal, and what is illegal, rests with others.
Although content filtering programs are available to Library
District patrons by personal choice, no known filtering program is one hundred
percent (100%) effective. Words, images or sounds that may be considered
inappropriate or offensive by a library patron may not be blocked. The same
filter may block other constitutionally protected information that a patron may
wish to access.
Because the patron is the selector in using the Internet by
making individual choices and decisions, patrons shall comply with all age
restrictions governing access to specific sites, as limited by the content
provider, to usage by persons 18 or 21 years of age or older. Some commercial
databases on the Internet require a fee. These fees are the responsibility of
the library patron; they are not the responsibility of the Library District.
In no event shall the East Bonner County Free Library District
have any liability for lost profits or for any direct or indirect special,
punitive, or consequential damages, or any liability to any third party, even if
the library is advised of the possibility of such damages, arising from use of
its connection to the Internet.
Adopted circa 1995. Amended November 13, 2000. Revised
December 9, 2002 Board of Trustees East Bonner County Free Library District |
