Pulaski County Public Library Internet Access
Policy
Mission Statement
The Pulaski County Public Library provides basic free access to current,
high-demand, high-interest materials in various formats for people of all
ages.We create a welcoming environment with a friendly, competent staff and
strive to introduce children and adults to the joys and rewards of reading and
using the public library.Special emphasis is placed on supporting students of
all learning levels and ages with their formal and informal course of study and
self-improvement.
Internet Access
The Internet, a worldwide network of computer networks, is an essential medium
for obtaining and transmitting information of all types.Therefore, public
access to the Internet is germane to the Library’s mission.
However, the Internet is an unregulated medium. It also provides access to
information that is inaccurate, illegal or that some may find offensive or
disturbing. The Library, therefore, has implemented hardware and software
mechanisms designed to limit or restrict access to sources of pornographic
information, images, or sites that may be harmful to minors. (Minors are
defined in this policy as children and young people under the age of 17.) If an
adult patron feels that access has been restricted to a legitimate source of
information, they may request that the filter be temporarily be turned off.It
is their responsibility to inform Library Staff when they have finished their
session, so that the filter may be reinstated.
Responsibilities of Library Staff and Users
Library staff will not monitor a user’s Internet usage, except for
length of the session in order to ensure equal opportunity of access for
everyone. No filtering hardware or software is 100% accurate; therefore, the
Library affirms the right and responsibility of parents/guardians, NOT Library
staff to determine and monitor their children’s use of the
Internet.Parents who believe that their children cannot responsibly use the
Library’s Internet access are requested to monitor their children’s
Internet use.
The Library reserves the right to terminate an Internet session that
disrupts library services or that involves user behavior that violates the
Library’s policies.
Disclaimers
While the Library endeavors to provide access to information of the highest
quality, the Library specifically disclaims any warrant as to the
information’s accuracy, timeliness, authoritativeness, usefulness, or
fitness for a particular purpose.
The Library will have no liability for direct, indirect, or consequential
damages related to the use of information accessed through the Library’s
Internet service.
Since software and information downloaded from any sources, including the
Internet, may contain computer viruses, users are advised to utilize
virus-checking software on their home computers. The Library is not responsible
for damage to user’s disks or computers or for any loss of data, damage,
or liability that may occur from use of the Library’s computers.
Unacceptable Uses of Computers
Among the uses that are considered unacceptable and which constitute a
violation of this policy are the following:
Uses that
violate the law or encourage others to violate the law. Transmitting of
offensive or harassing messages; offering for sale or use any substance the
possession or use of which is prohibited by law; the viewing, transmitting or
downloading pornographic materials or materials that encourage others to
violated the law; downloading or transmitting confidential, trade secret
information, or copyrighted materials. Even if materials on the networks are
not marked with the copyright symbol, users should assume that all materials
are protected unless there is explicit permission on the materials to use them.
Uses that
cause harm to others or damage to their property. Engaging in
defamation (harming another’s reputation by lies); uploading a worm,
virus, “trojan horse”, “time bomb”, or other harmful forms
of programming or vandalism; participating in “hacking” activities or
any form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information
systems.
Uses that
jeopardize the security access of the computer network or other networks on the
Internet. Disclosing or sharing the user’s password with others;
impersonating another user; using one’s own software programs on the
Library’s computers; altering the Library’s computer settings;
damaging or modifying computer equipment or software.
Uses that
compromise the safety and security of minors when using e-mail, chat rooms and
other forms of direct electronic communications: Minors under age 17.
Giving others private information about one’s self or others, including
credit card numbers and social security numbers; arranging a face-to-face
meeting with someone one has “met” on the computer network or
Internet without a parent’s permission.
Uses that
Violate Confidentiality of Information; as affirmed in several Kentucky
Attorney General opinions, Kentucky laws recognizes the confidentiality of
library records.Personally identifiable information about users, including
minors, will not be disclosed or used in any way, except to law enforcement
authorities as provided in the law. Users should be aware, however, that due to
technical difficulties involved in providing absolute security, transactions
and files could become public.
Procedures
The Library staff will develop such rules and procedures as are necessary to
ensure the fair and reasonable use of Internet access.
Response to Violations
The user’s access to the Library’s computer network and Internet
is a privilege, not a right. A user violates this policy by his or her own
action, or by failing to report any violations by other users that come to the
attention of the user.Further, a user violates this policy if he or she permits
another to use his or her account or password to access the computer network
and Internet. Failure to comply with this policy and its procedures will result
in the forfeiture of the user’s right to access these computers.
|
