Frankfort Community Public Library
Clinton County Contractual Library
COMPUTER AND INTERNET USAGE POLICY AND DISCLAIMER
*Reviewed & Approved by the Board May 20, 2009
The purpose of Internet access in the Library is to make available the vast array of information and research resources to the people of Clinton County. To accomplish this in a fair and equitable manner, the following policies have been adopted.
Users of networks or facilities not owned by the library will adhere to the policies and procedures established by the administrators of those networks and facilities These policies and procedures can be obtained from the network information center of the network in question.
Internet content is filtered at the Frankfort Community Public Library and the Clinton County Contractual Libraries. Filtering makes the library compliant with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Per the requirements of CIPA, library staff may disable the filtering software during any use by an adult to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF USERS
LEGAL USE
Network resources may only be used for legal purposes.
Examples of illegal purposes include, but are not limited to, the following:
Harassment of other users
Libeling or slandering other users
Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other users
Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications.
Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected materials
ETHICAL USE
Network resources must be used in accordance with the accepted guidelines and policies of the Library.
Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not limited to, the following:
Violation of computer system security
Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers
Violation of software license agreements
Violations of network usage policies and regulations
Interfering with system operation
Modifying the computers or software in any way. This includes downloading and installing programs or plug-ins on the computers.
Degrading system performance in any way
COOPERATIVE USE
The library endorses the practice of cooperative computing including:
Refraining from overuse of connect time, information storage space, bandwidth, printing facilities, or processing capacity.
SANCTIONS
Unlawful use, misuse, or abuse of computer equipment or materials will result in suspension or termination of user access to these resources. The library staff will determine the appropriate action whether suspension or termination of privileges is imposed. All computer users must follow the Library Rules.
DISCLAIMER
Since the Internet is a global electronic network, there is no federal/state/county control of its users or content. The Internet and its available resources may contain material of a controversial nature. The library cannot control access to material nor protect users from offensive data. Parents of minor children must assume responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet through the library connection. We are not responsible for authority or accuracy of the Internet.
Library staff cannot control availability of information links which often change rapidly and unpredictably. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information. Users need to be good information consumers, questioning the validity of the information they receive.
While the library staff will assist whenever possible. It is assumed that the user has a basic knowledge of computer use, manipulation of the mouse, and searching the Internet. Users should not expect staff to know the specifics of how a particular web site or email program works. Users may refer to the library’s circulating and reference books for assistance. Additionally, the library offers scheduled free tutoring.
The Frankfort Community Public Library, Rossville Community Public Library and Mulberry Community Public Library provide public wireless access to the Internet in select locations. Wireless Internet content is filtered at the Frankfort Library. Patrons must provide their own computers. Technical support for use of the wireless is not available. Users of the wireless hotspots are subject to the terms of this policy. The library cannot guarantee the privacy or safety of data and communications while using either wired or wireless services. Patrons need to be aware that wireless networks are inherently insecure, and it is strongly recommended that they secure their computers with firewall software and data encryption.
The Frankfort Community Public Library and Clinton County Contractual Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of its computers or Internet connection.
Internet Guidelines
1. Everyone using the Internet must read the Internet Usage Policy and Disclaimer and the Internet Guidelines, then sign the Internet Contract. Both a parent or guardian and the child must sign the Internet Contract for a child under the age of 18.
2. In the Children’s department, you must sign in at the Children’s desk and show identification every time you use the Internet terminal. On the lower level, you sign in at the computer you plan to use or at the wait list computer.
3. Parents are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet in the Library.
4. The Internet computer terminals may be used for one hour with ½ hour extensions up to 3 hours as long as no one is waiting.
5. Only one person at a time is permitted on a Internet terminal, except for group work as approved by staff.
6. Children will be given preference on the Internet in the Children’s Department. In the Children’s Department, if an adult and a child are waiting to use the computer, the child will go first. Adults may use but not reserve time on the terminal in the Children’s Department.
7. At the present time, anything published on the Internet is considered copyrighted. Documents or files may be downloaded or copied for personal or educational use, unless the document or file has a specific copyright statement that would prevent the copying or downloading. It may also state the conditions under which it may be copied or downloaded. You must honor copyright restrictions when using the Internet.
8. Information may be downloaded to personal disks or flashdrives.
9. To use an Internet terminal, you must use your own card.
10. Use of the lower level Internet terminals is restricted to patrons who are high school age and above.
11. Warning: What you are doing on the Internet may be seen by others, including children. Accessing sites that contain pornography, obscenity and/or other illicit materials is not permitted. If you find you accessed one of these sites by mistake, exit immediately.
12. Remember: The library has no control over the information on the Internet. The library is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through the Internet.
13. The Internet is made available to library patrons for information and research purposes.
14. You may not be able to always go to the places on the Internet you want to visit. There are many reasons; among them:
a. There are too many Internet visitors and the host computer has
closed or limited access from the “outside world.”
b. The database or resource is licensed to a particular institution, in which case you would need to be affiliated with the institution in order to obtain access.
c. The host computer has changed its address or has closed down.
d. The library’s Internet connection may periodically and temporarily be inoperable due to technical difficulties.
15. Misuse of the computer or Internet access will result in suspension or termination of your computer privileges.
The Frankfort Community Public Library Board and the Clinton County Contractual Library Board will annually review this Internet Policy and Internet Guidelines.
The Frankfort Community Public Library Board and the Clinton County Contractual Library Board have reviewed and approved this Internet Policy and Internet Guidelines, effective January 2001. Revised, June 2009.