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Ethel L Whipple Memorial Library

INTERNET POLICY

 

INTERNET USE POLICY AND GUIDELINES

 

This policy applies to all users of the Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library computers or networks. If you have any questions about the policy or what it means, please contact the Librarian for more information.

PURPOSE

To fulfill our Mission, the Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library provides access to a broad range of information resources; including those available through the Internet. We make this service available as part of our Mission to offer a broadly defined program of informational, educational, recreational, and cultural enrichment opportunities for our patrons of all ages and backgrounds.

 

The Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library only assumes responsibility for the information provided on the Library home page resident on the Library’s server.  The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national, and international sources of information. However, not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. A good information consumer evaluates the validity of information found.  Restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or guardian; the Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library does not have the right or responsibility to act in loco parentis. For more information on children and the Internet, see Child Safety on the Highway produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Interactive Service Organization. In accordance with the Children's Internet Protection Act, the Library has implemented "technology protection measures" (filtering) on all of its Internet-accessible computers explained in greater detail in the following section.

 

Filtering

As mandated by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and in order to remain eligible for federal funding, the Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library has employed the use of filtering on all of its public access computers. This filtering protects against access to obscene visual depictions, pornography, and in the case of persons under the age of 17 years, materials that are harmful to minors. It is not the intent of this institution to infringe on constitutionally protected speech and information. Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library does not guarantee that the filtering capabilities will block all obscenity, pornography, or materials that are harmful to minors. The Library does not guarantee that the filtering will not restrict access to sites that may have legitimate research or other value. In an effort to address this problem and to supplement users’ access to constitutionally protected speech and information, the Library requests that users contact the Librarian to request unblocking of an incorrectly blocked site.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF USERS

 

Supervising children’s use

It is the Library’s policy that parents or legal guardians must assume responsibilities for deciding what library resources are appropriate for their children.  There will be some resources that parents may feel are inappropriate for their children.  Parents should let their children know if there are materials that they do not want them to use. Parents should supervise their child’s Internet sessions.

 

Choosing and evaluating sources

The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and information content. Library patrons use it at their own risk. The Library cannot censor access to materials or protect users from materials they may find offensive. In choosing sources to link to our home page, we follow generally accepted library practices.  Beyond this, we do not monitor or control information accessible through the Internet and do not accept responsibility for its content. The Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library is not responsible for changes in the content of the sources to which we link, or for the content of sources access through secondary links.  As with printed information, not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Users should evaluate Internet sources just as they do printed publication, questioning the validity of the information provided.                                                                                                               

Revised  9/26/06

 

Rules governing use

 

Patrons time limit on the workstations is thirty minutes, you will need a pin number to log on. Users must have a valid updated library card in order to use the computers.

Users may not:

  1. Chatting and instant messaging are not allowed on Library computers.
  2. Use the workstations to gain access to the Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library’s networks or computer systems or to any other network or computer system.
  3. Obstruct other people’s work by consuming gratuitously large amounts of system resources or by deliberately crashing any Library computer system.
  4. Make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software.
  5. Make any attempt to alter software configurations.
  6. Make any attempt to cause degradation of system performance.
  7. Use any Library workstation for any illegal or criminal purpose.
  8. Violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements while using Library workstations.
  9. Engage in any activity which is deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous, or slanderous.
  10. Install or download any software.

 

Violations will result in patron’s loss of access to Library computers. Unlawful activities will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner to the fullest extent of the law.

 

INTERNET FUNCTIONS SUPPORTED

The Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library provides a graphic-based World Wide Web browser. The Library does NOT provide electronic mail account, Internet Relay Chat, or Newsgroup.

COPYRIGHT

U.S. copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) 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 Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.

The Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility arising from access to or use of information obtained through its electronic information systems or any consequences thereof.