Delafield Public Library

Internet Policy

Delafield Public Library

Internet Access Policy

Provision of computer services, including Internet access, is done in accordance with the library’s mission:

It is the mission of the Delafield Public Library to help community members achieve their full potential by being the leading resource for information, education, culture & recreation and facilitate community participation.

Internet access is provided in the children’s, teen & adult areas of the library. Wireless access is also available in the library.

Staff will assist patrons with Internet use as time permits, but cannot necessarily offer individual personal instruction. Formal instruction is offered by library staff by appointment.

The Internet is a rapidly changing environment. The library cannot monitor or control the information available on the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Because not all Internet sources provide accurate, complete or current information, users are responsible for determining that the information they access is acceptable, reliable and suitable to their needs.

Responsibility for the use of the Internet by children and young adults rests with their parents or legal guardians. Parents are encouraged to discuss with their children appropriate use of Internet resources and to supervise their children’s Internet sessions.

Internet users need to be award that they may find material in graphical or text format that they consider offensive, just as they might find objectionable material in other formats such as books and audio-visual materials. In sum, the library does not vouch for or endorse the viewpoints of written material in its collections, and it does not do so for electronic information. In choosing and using Internet sources, users should evaluate them just as they do print sources, questioning the accuracy and the completeness of the information.

Disclaimer

The Delafield Public Library is responsible only for the information on its home page. Please keep the below information in mind when making the decision for you or your child to have Internet access. The library provides workstations for free public access to the Internet as an information, education and recreational resource. The library expects that all use of electronic information resources such as the Internet will be responsible and ethical, consistent with the purpose for which these resources are provided. This includes:

1. Library users have the right to confidentiality and privacy. However, Internet users should be advised that because security is technologically difficult to achieve, electronic transactions and files could become public.
2. Using resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only: not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes. In addition, users should be aware that the Internet may not be a secure medium for the transmission of personal information, such as name, address, or credit card number. Delafield Public Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of its on-line resources.
3. Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user, by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.
4. Further respecting the privacy of others using public access work-stations at the library by not interfering with their use.
5. Not sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as offensive.
6. Not making unauthorized changes to the setup or configuration of the software or hardware.
7. Computer users may only save onto personal removable media. Material saved onto local or networked storage will be lost.
8. Although the library routinely scans for computer viruses, this will not completely protect your files from the possibility of getting a virus. Library users who utilize portable storage devices on both a library computer and home computers should have their own virus-checking software. The library is not responsible for damage to a person’s personal removable media or computer, or for loss or corruption of any data that may occur from patron use of the library’s computers or wireless network.
9. Computer users may not always be able to access places on the Internet. There are several reasons for this:
   1. The library uses a commercial filter which blocks access to certain sites.
   2. There may be too many Internet users, and the host computer may have closed or limited access to the site.
   3. The database or resource may be fee-based, or license to particular institutions which require membership.
      The site address may have changed, or the site may have closed.
   4. The host computer may be down for maintenance or because of a technical difficulty.
   5. The library’s server, network or Internet service provider may be temporarily inoperative due to system upgrades or technical difficulties.

Library’s Rights Reserved

Violation may result in loss of Internet and/or library privileges.

The library reserves the right to:

• Terminate a user’s session, without notice.
• To limit the amount of computer time at any one sitting.
• To erase any and all users’ files stored on library equipment, without notice.
• To deny or limit access to computer operating systems.
• To deny or revoke Internet or library privileges for a specified amount of time.

Illegal uses of computers may also be subject to prosecution by local, state and/or federal authorities.

Responsibilities of Users

When at the public library, patrons have a responsibility for their use of materials and services. As in the case with other library materials it is the responsibility of a child’s parent or legal guardian to determine and monitor their children’s use of library materials and resources, including use of the Internet.

Scheduling

1. Internet services at public stations are available during all hours the library is open to the public. The library staff is instructed to shut-down computer terminals 10 minutes prior to closing.

Etiquette

• When using the Internet computers, patrons are expected to refrain from group conversations that are disruptive to others. We ask that not more than 2 people gather at one Internet computer at the discretion of library staff.
• Cell phone use at the Internet computer is prohibited.

Sign-up

• An individual signs on for a 90 minute session at the computer station using hi/her library card. Visitors to the community may receive a guest pass at the information desk.
• Individuals waiting to use the internet must remain in the library and are responsible for watching for their turn.

Printing

Cost for printing from a computer terminal is 20 cents for black & white & 50 cents for color. Fess will be collected at the Circulation Desk.

Internet Viruses

The library uses a virus-checker on all of its computer terminals.

Internet Policies and Laws
Copyright

U.S. Copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution or copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of “fair use”.

Users may not copyright 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 Delafield Public Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.

Misuse or abuse of computers or Internet access may result in loss of Internet access or library privileges. Illegal uses of computers may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.

Adopted by the Delafield Public Library Board ~ October 2011