PUBLIC INTERNET POLICY AND INTERNET SAFETY POLICY
SERVICE OBJECTIVES
Essential to the mission of the Colleton County Memorial Library is ensuring that the people of Colleton County have the right and means to free and open access to ideas and information which are fundamental to a democracy. The Library will protect intellectual freedom, promote literacy, encourage lifelong learning, and provide library materials and information services.
The Library's computer network provides the opportunity to integrate electronic resources from information networks around the world with the library's other resources. In keeping with the Library's Materials Selection Policy to provide informational, cultural, and educational materials to the public free of charge in a wide variety of formats, including both print and non-print, the Library will provide access to materials available through the Internet.
The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection. It allows access to ideas, information, and commentary from around the globe. Currently, however, it is an unregulated medium. As such, it offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, but also enables access to some material that may be invalid and/or inaccurate, offensive, disturbing and/or illegal. Individual users must accept personal responsibility for determining the suitability, appropriateness, and legality of information obtained through the Internet.
The Library upholds and affirms the right of each individual to have access to a wide variety of material. However, because of the content of some of the resources available on the Internet, the Library recognizes that it has a responsibility to set policies and guidelines to encourage the public's responsible and appropriate use of this resource within the Library's public setting. The Library also affirms the right and responsibility of parents to determine and monitor their children's use of library materials and resources. In affirmation of these responsibilities and rights, the Library has established the following conditions and terms of use of the Internet:
CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF INTERNET USE
All users of electronic resources such as the Internet are expected to use these resources in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided and to follow the rules and regulations set forth by the Internet Acceptable Use Agreement.
Individuals under the age of 18 are required to have a signed parental Internet Permission Agreement. The Library assumes no responsibility for the use of the Internet by children. It is not possible for library staff to control specific information minors may locate on the Internet. Just as libraries do not vouch for or endorse the viewpoints of written material in their collection, they do not do so for electronic information. Selection policies which serve to govern a library's purchase of written material may not apply to material accessed electronically. It is the responsibility of the user or parent/guardian to determine what is appropriate.
Minors under the age of 12 are also required to have parental supervision when using all library computer and electronic resources.
The library reserves the right to require all prospective users to attend an orientation session as a condition for access to the library computer stations. Orientation may include training in the use of software and hardware, and guidelines for the responsible care of the library's equipment.
Failure to use the computer stations appropriately and responsibly, as defined in the Acceptable Use Agreement, will result in revocation of computer use privileges and/or other privileges. If privileges are revoked, a patron must make a formal request in writing for an appearance before the Board of Trustees to seek reinstatement. Unacceptable use that is illegal may result in criminal prosecution pursuant to state and federal laws.
The Library's policy will be in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)]. The Library's policy is to prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via the Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors. Technology protection measures such as filters shall be used to block or filter the Internet, or other forms of electronic communications, and access to inappropriate information. Specifically, the filters shall block visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors. Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bonefide research or other lawful purposes. The Library will assure to the best of its ability to provide safe and secure use by minors of direct electronic communications, including email, chat room, and instant messaging. Unauthorized online access, including "hacking" and other unlawful activities, is prohibited. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors are prohibited.
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It shall be the responsibility of all members of the library staff to educate, supervise and monitor appropriate usage of the Library's online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy, the Children's Internet Protection Act, the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act, and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.
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Approved: May 2009