BLOOMFIELD LIBRARY INTERNET USE POLICY
12/17/02 (revised 7/2005)
PURPOSE
The Bloomfield Public Library serves as an information center for the community creating an environment for lifelong learning and literacy consciousness, providing educational, recreational, and informational materials, programs, and services. By introducing the Internet as an information resource, the Library’s goal is to enhance its existing collection in size and depth and, as a public access agency, give opportunity to any citizen who wishes to participate in navigating the Internet.
WARNINGS
The Library does have an Internet content filter on all computers and on all Internet access through the wireless network. This type of filtering allows bona fide research and other lawful purposes, however if you experience difficulties please inform the librarian and the Software Company will be notified to determine the cause. Under the June 23, 2003, U.S. Supreme Court decision, United States v. ALA, and the government’s interpretation of the statute, the library must turn off the filter upon request by an adult, 17 years or older, without inquiring into the adult’s “purpose” for disabling the software. This filtering is in compliance with CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act). Although the library does have an Internet content filter, this does not ensure that all access to some material, which may be offensive and/or illegal, will be blocked. The library cannot be held responsible for the content of the information accessible through the Internet. Being an unregulated medium, the Internet offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, but it also enables access to some material that may be offensive and/or illegal. Internet resources are not subject to the same selection criteria that the Library uses for other materials.
There is sexually explicit material and other information on the Internet that one may find personally controversial, inappropriate, or offensive. All Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all users. Children have access to the same resources as adults. It is not possible for library staff to control specific information children and youth may locate on the Internet. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the user (or parent, guardian, or caregiver) to decide what is appropriate. The Library supports the user’s rights to privacy; however, users are advised that security on the Internet is technically difficult to achieve. Beware; every connection made on the Internet may be traced back to the originator, leaving a trail easily tracked by others.
Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Be a selective consumer, questioning the validity of the information you find. Due to the emerging nature of our Library’s public Internet access service, these policies are subject to change without notice at the Library’s discretion.
STAFF ASSISTANCE
Using the Internet is a new experience for our Library staff. We will try to assist you in accessing the Internet and, as our experience grows, offer searching suggestions and answer questions. Internet-trained staff may not always be available.
GUIDELINES FOR USE
Internet access will be by appointment in 30-minute time blocks on first- come, first-served basis. The Library reserves the right to terminate an Internet session at any time.
Printing is available from computers, twenty cents ($.20) will be charged for each page.
Users must comply with applicable laws, including United States copyright laws. The Internet resources may not be used to upload, download, distribute or transmit pornographic, obscene, abusive, discriminatory, sexually explicit or anti-social materials and language. In section 5903 of the State Criminal Code, subsection c: ‘No person shall knowingly disseminate by sale, loan or otherwise explicit sexual materials to a minor, “Explicit sexual material,” as used in this subsection, means materials which are obscene or: (1) any picture, photograph, drawing, sculpture, motion picture film, videotape or similar visual representation or image of a person or portion of the human body which depicts nudity, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse and which is harmful to minors; or (2) any book, pamphlet, magazine, printed matter however reproduced, or sound recording which contains any matter enumerated in paragraph (1), or explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse and which, taken as a whole, is harmful to minors.’ Because the Internet computers are in the open where anyone can see what site someone is on, including minors, the library asks that adults refrain from visiting adult websites and to abide by the State Criminal Code. Any session on an indecent website will be terminated by the person in charge of the Library.Internet access stations are provided for information gathering. Use of newsgroups, chats, and other interactive services is prohibited.
Internet access is a privilege open to Bloomfield Public Library users. Each user must accept the responsibility of obeying library rules and treating the equipment, software, and data with respect.
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
I, the undersigned, hereby agree to the terms and conditions of the Bloomfield Public Library Internet Use Policy and agree to indemnify and save harmless the Bloomfield Public Library, its successors and assigns, from and against all claims, liability, loss, damage, costs, and expenses, including but not limited to all legal costs incurred by the Bloomfield Public Library, which the Bloomfield Public Library may hereafter suffer, incur, be put to or pay by reason of the use of the internet by the undersigned user.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound hereby, has hereunto set his/her hand.