Post Falls Public Library

Post Falls Public Library

Computer and Internet Use Policy

2006 REVISION

TO BE READ AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM SIGNED FOR FULL INTERNET ACCESS

INTRODUCTION

This document constitutes a library-wide policy for the management of computers, data networks and the resources they make available, as well as stand-alone computers that are owned and operated by Post Falls Public Library, or furnished through Joint Powers Agreement funds paid by Kootenai/Shoshone Library District.  This policy reflects the wishes of the Post Falls Library Board to maintain a computing environment that is characteristic of the library's operating principles, and attempts to spell out the privileges and responsibilities relevant to that environment.

GENERAL POLICIES

Computer use has become an integral part of library activity.  While much computing is currently done on individual computing resources, a growing amount of informational transactions now take place on networks.  The following procedures are meant to maximize the access to computing resources, and optimize use of these resources.

1. LEGAL USE

Computing services may only be used for lawful purpose by the library staff and the public.  Examples of unacceptable purpose include, but are not limited to:

• Harassement of others;
• Libeling or slandering of others;
• Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or others;
• Disruption or unauthorized a monitoring of or interference with electronic communications;
• Unauthorized copying of copyrighted materials.

2. ETHICAL USE

The Post Falls Library is committed to maintaining a standard of ethical behavior for its staff and other computer users.  Examples of behavior that would violate these standards and call for corrective measures by the library include, but not limited to:

• Violation of computer system security;
• Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification codes assigned to others;
• Use of computer communications facilities in ways that necessarily impede the computing activites of others;
• Violation of software licensing agreements;
• Violation of network usage policies and regulations;
• Unauthorized storage of personal data on library owned computer hard drives;
• Use of computer generated sounds and/or visuals, which might be disruptive to others.

3. CONFIDENTIALITY

Use of the unfiltered Internet stations is done through the library's circulation system, and access to sites will be treated as circulation records.  The privacy of these records is protected under Idaho law and the policies of the Post Falls Public Library.

The library will do its best to protect the confidentiality of computer users concerning the users access to those databases and sites, which do not violate the legal and ethical standards of the library.  However, the library cannot insure privacy for computer users in a public computing environment.  The user should be aware that electronic transations and records are vulnerable to interception by unauthorized parties.

                  SPECIFIC POLICIES

1. PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTING

Public access computers are those available for use of the particular formats and applications offered on each computer, such as word processing programs, spreadsheets, and graphic presentation programs, online databases and Internet access.  The guidelines for use of these computers are as follows:

• Unauthorized programs or applications will not be loaded or used on these computers.
• The online catalog stations and the dedicated database stations are not to be used for general Internet access and surfing.
• Library staff members are not trained computer instructors.  Patrons are responsible for their own use of public access computers, including their proper and save storage of data.  The library staff is happy to render whatever advice and assistance they can, but it is the patron's responsibility to have a adequate knowledge of computing to insure the security of library computing equipment as well as the patron's data, and successfully make use of the public computing facilities.
• The library assumes no liability for lost or damaged data resulting from use of library computing facilities or that damages incurred from any computer viruses that may be spread through the library's public computing environment;
• The library staff is responsible for equitable and fair access to all computing facilities at the Post Falls Library.  The library staff has the duty of enforcing the computing policy.  If a patron(s) refuse to cooperate with the library staff in their performance of this duty, the staff has the right to revoke computing privileges.  Patrons refusing to cooperate past this point will be dealt with under the Library Operating Policy, which may result in their removal from the premise.
• Decisions may be appealed to the library director, and if a satisfactory conclusion is not reached, the decision may be appealed to the Library Board of Trustees.

2. INTERNET ACCESS

The library offers different levels of access to the Internet.  The library does require that all on-site users of the Internet refrain from accessing material that may prove disruptive or offensive to other library users, especially concerning audio levels and graphic screen images, or might engender a danger to the library user.  Library provided Internet access must not be used to access pornographic materials or web sites.

The Post Falls Public Library has instituted the use of filtering software at the Children's and Filtered Internet/Database computers.  However, no filtering software is perfect or totally secure. The library will be continually upgrading this type of software, but there will always be the possibilities of inappropriate material being accessed by intent or mistake.

As with any other information available to minors, it is parental involvement and guidance that makes the difference.  If you choose to not make Internet access available to your child (children), please make this a matter of parental responsibility.

Many parents are worried about the encounters young people may have through use of Internet "chat rooms". While the library has blocked access to chat rooms at the Children's and Filtered Internet/Datatabase stations, e-mail can still be accessed.

Library staff members attempt to monitor young peoples' Internet use by casual visual observation, and any obviously inappropriate Internet activity is curtailed.  However, as stated in library policies, it is the privilege and responsibility of the parent to discretion and control are the keys to maintaining an appropriate balance between access and limitations for their own children.

Parents of minor children using the Internet are encouraged to learn more about this new technology.  One source about minors accessing the Internet in a safe and appropriate manner can be reached through the web page produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  The address is www.ncmec.org.

The Library Board will strive to find a way of balancing the needs and right of minors to access information in many forms, and the wish of parents for protection against what some parents see as inappropriate or endangering electronic contacts.

INTERNET TIME LIMITS

Because of the tremendous demand for Internet access at the library, the time slots for individual use of the Internet station are:

During regular hours there will be one-hour limit on public access computers with Internet access, and a 15-minute limit on the online catalog stations.  Library staff may waive time limits if they feel there is more than adequate Internet access available for patrons at that particular time.

Access through an approved wireless connection will not be subject to time restraints. 

INTERNET ACCESS

 Hardline Access

Filtered Internet stations may be accessed under the guidelines stated above.  Unfiltered Internet stations will be accessed through the following procedure:

• All stations with Internet access must be checked out through the library circulation system.
• All patrons requesting Internet access will be given an "Internet Boarding Pass" after checking in at the front desk.  This pass must be displayed at the computer station assigned to the patron for Internet access.
• For Filtered Internet stations, any patron not having a Cooperative Information Newtork card may be allowed access by printing their name on a registratation list kept for the computer stations.  Filtered Internet stations are open for all patrons except those who have been banned from all computing at the library for past policy violations.
• All library patrons 18 years and over requesting unfiltered Internet access must present a valid CIN library card, and receive and sign a Post Falls Public Library Computer Use Policy.  This will be noted on their circulation record.
• All patrons 17 years and under wishing unfiltered Internet access must have a signed Post Falls Public Library Unfiltered Internet Permission Form. A parent or legal guardian will sign this form. This form will ve given to parent or legal guardian in person or mailed to their personal address, but the parent or guardian in the presence of Post Falls Library staff member must sign the form.  A Post Falls Public library Computer Use Policy will accompany it.
• Any patron requesting unfiltered Internet station access must present their own current and vaild CIN card that is unrestricted by fines or fees over the $3.00 limit.  The patron must present the card for each use.
• Library users may not use another patron's library card to obtain Internet access.  Both the card owner and the person using that person's card for such a purpose will be considered in violation of the Library's Computer Use Policy, and both may be denied service.
• Boarding Passes must be returned to the front desk at the end of the computing session.
• Any person found in violation of this policy or any other library policy involving computer use, privacy rights, or issues of inappropriate decorum will:
• Receive a verbal or written warning to desist, and  
• If the problem persists, that person(s) will be asked to leave the computing area, or in necessary cases, will be told to vacate the library building and grounds.
• If the problem recurs upon a subsequent use of Post Falls Library computers by that patron, the patron will be denied computing privileges at the library for up to a six-month period.
• If the patron violates the Computer Use Policy a third time, they will lose all computing privileges at the Post Falls Library.

Wireless Access

The Post Falls Public Library's wireless Internet access is filtered. Library patrons who use the library's wireless Internet access should note the following:

1. Patrons are responsible for configuring their own wireless device,
2. There are currently no provisions for printing from wirelesss access.

3. PRINTING COSTS

All computer generated printing will be charged at a rate established by the Library Board.