INTERNET AND COMPUTER USAGE POLICY

CONDENSED VERSION

For the complete policy on electronic equipment and resources, refer to the Haysville Community Library Policy Manual.

Ø THE Haysville Community Library DOES NOT CENSOR ACCESS TO MATERIALS OR PROTECT USERS FROM INFORMATION THEY FIND OFFENSIVE. THERE EXISTS, ON THE INTERNET, SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION, WHICH USERS MAY PERSONALLY FIND CONTROVERSIAL OR INAPPROPRIATE.

Ø NOT ALL SOURCES ON THE INTERNET PROVIDE ACCURATE, COMPLETE OR CURRENT INFOMRATION. USERS NEED TO BE GOOD INFORMATION CONSUMERS, QUESTIONING THE VALIDITY OF THE INFORMATION THEY FIND.

Staff Assistance

- Library Staff cannot provide in-depth training concerning the Internet, computer jargon, or personal computer use. We may, however, be able to offer searching suggestions and answer questions. Because of Library staffing, Internet trained Staff may not always be available.

- Library Staff cannot assist in the preparation of personal documents, such as resumes, tax forms, etc.

- Many times you will find the specific information you need in our books, periodicals, CD ROM databases, etc.

Guidelines for Computer Use at the Haysville Community Library

- Users must sign in with Library Staff at the front desk before using the computer. They need either a current Haysville Community Library card, or in the case of out-of-town users, a current, government issued photo ID. Staff will retain library cards while patrons use the computer. All users should review the Internet and Computer Usage Policy before beginning their session, a condensed version of which is available on each public computer.

o Minors wanting to use a computer at the Haysville Community Library will need to be either accompanied by a parent and/or guardian, or have an Internet permission card on file at the front desk.

o Unaccompanied minors will not be allowed to use the computers located in the Lab. They are restricted to those located in the lobby.

- Upon signing in, users will be assigned a certain PC. They must use that PC, and only that PC, for the entire duration of their computer session. If there is a technical problem, Library Staff should be informed immediately.

- The Internet access computers are normally available, subject to periodical maintenance or computer training courses, during library business hours. Computers are shut down thirty minutes prior to the Library’s closing.

- Use of the computers is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those using the computers will not have a time assigned, but agree, as a condition of use, that if anyone else is waiting, they will make the computer available within 20 minutes of begin informed by Library Staff.

o When computer training courses are held, users will have access to the computers in the lobby. During these times, a thirty minute time limit will be imposed if other users are waiting.

- Users may not use their own software programs on the computers. All disks, CDs and other portable storage devices belonging to users must be scanned at the front desk prior to use. This help to prevent viruses that are common on public computers.

- Users should not save their personal files to the hard drive. All incoming storage should be scanned by Staff prior to use. Diskettes are available at the desk for a minimal charge.

- There will be a charge for printing to be paid at the circulation desk.

- Patrons may not always be able to get to the places on the Internet they wish to visit. There are many reasons why this may be:

o There are too many Internet visitors and the host computer has closed or limited access from the “outside world”.

o The database or resource is licensed to a particular institution, in which case users would need to be affiliated with the institution in order to get access.

o The host computer has changed its address or has closed down.

o The Library’s Internet connection may be periodically and temporarily inoperable due to technical difficulties, often beyond the Library’s control.

- Users must use resources in accordance with ethical standards of the Library, which prohibit:

o Violation of computer security

o Unauthorized use of computer accounts or access codes

o Use computer which impedes activities of others

o Violation of software license agreements

o Violation of network usage policies and regulations

o Violation of user privacy

- Users must use computer resources for legal purposes only.

- Users will be held financially responsible for any damage or alteration to equipment or software.

- The Library reserves the right to end a computer session at any time if it is creating a disturbance.

- The Library reserves the right to check the path of PC station web sites as deemed necessary for investigating inappropriate use of the Internet.

- Misuse of the computer or Internet access will result in loss of computer privileges.

Regarding Obscenity

- “Obscenity,” as defined by the American Library Association, “must be determined using a three-part test. To be obscene, (1) the average person, applying contemporary community standards, must find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient interests; (2) the work must depict or describe, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct as specified in the applicable statutes; and (3) the work, taken as a whole, must lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.” The Haysville Community Library upholds this definition.

- Access to obscene material constitutes a misuse of computer or Internet access.

- THE VIEWING OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. TO DO SO IF A FEDERAL OFFENSE, AND THE LIBRARY IS LEGALLY REQUIRED TO REPORT ANY SUCH ACTIVITY TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES.

Limitation of Liability

By using the public computers at the Haysville Community Library, the user acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the Internet and Computer Usage Policy, and agrees to abide by it. The user further acknowledges and agrees that the Haysville Community Library assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage to the user’s data or for any damage or injury arising from invasion of privacy in the user’s computer accounts, programs or files.

LAST REVISED 02 February 2007