Internet Access Policy

The library has no control over the accuracy of information obtained from the Internet and cannot be responsible for its content.  Resources on the Internet may be inaccurate, outdated, biased, misleading, or controversial. Although the Library utilizes multiple technologies to protect user information, information sent over the Internet may not be secure.  Credit card numbers, passwords, identities and other personal information may be obtained and misused by others.  Users may access Internet information at their discretion and at their own risk, subject to the following:

• Users agree to hold the Library harmless for any damage to their hardware or software or for the loss or compromise of any data that may result from use of library services.

• Library Internet access may not be used for unauthorized or illegal activities including, but not limited to:
  • child pornography
  • sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene by community standards
  • obscene language
  • copyright infringement
  • unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

• Users shall not misrepresent themselves, harass others or attempt to violate system security.

• Users may not change or attempt to change any of the settings, configurations or files in the computers.

• Users are responsible for any damaged or missing equipment.

• User activity must not improperly restrict, inhibit or degrade any other user’s use of the services, nor represent an unusually large burden on the network itself.

• Users may not download or introduce their own software to library computers.

 

Children and the Internet.

Although the Library provides Internet filtering software to assist users in complying with the Library’s Internet Access Policy, no filtering software is able to provide 100% protection.  The Library does not act in place or in absence of the parent or legal guardian. To best protect juvenile users from being lured into harmful and predatory use of the Internet, as may occur through the use of e-mail, chat rooms, social media, and other forms of direct electronic communications:

• Children under the age of 18 must have parental approval before accessing the Internet. ‘Parental’ approval may be provided by (1) an adult acting in the role of parent, guardian, or caregiver and (2) must match the name of the adult authorizing the child’s library account. Parental approval is indicated by the adult’s signature on the child’s Computer Use Agreement.
• Children age 12 and under must be directly supervised by a supervising adult, aged 18 years or older, during all times of use of an Internet accessible public access computer.

 

Parents are responsible for the actions and behavior of their children.

The Library is not responsible for enforcing any customized restrictions which a parent or guardian may place on a minor’s use of the Internet.

 

CIPA and Internet Safety

It is the policy of Lincoln Lawrence Franklin Regional Library to (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail or other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) [Pub. L. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].

Access to Inappropriate Material

To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filters”) shall be used to block or filter Internet or other forms of electronic communications access to inappropriate information.

Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to 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 for adults only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

Inappropriate Network Usage

To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Lincoln Lawrence Franklin Regional Library online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging and other forms of direct electronic communications.

Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: (a) unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities; and (b) unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

Education, Supervision, and Monitoring

It shall be the responsibility of the Lincoln Lawrence Franklin Regional Library designated staff to educate, supervise and monitor appropriate usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy.

Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of designated staff.

 

Services and Availability.

Public Access Computers

All public access computer users must present a valid unencumbered library card from the Lincoln Lawrence Franklin Regional Library system or one of its consortium partners.  Library guests not residing within the Library’s consortium service area must present a valid government issued form of photo identification in order to use library computers.

While library staff wants to be as helpful as possible, they cannot provide extensive training or assistance to users.  Library staff cannot complete computer related tasks on behalf of a user nor can they act on behalf of a user to access confidential information or represent professional services on behalf of a user. 

Use of library computers shall be limited to 30 minutes when others are waiting.

Users are responsible for paying for every page sent to the printer.

Laptop Borrowing

The library has received funding from the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) to purchase laptops. Any ECF supported equipment and services can only be provided to users who declare they do not have access to the equipment or services sufficient to access the Internet.

 

Approved 09.10.2019; Effective 09.10.2019

Revised 12.10.2019; Effective 12.10.2019

Revised 03.08.2022; Effective 03.09.2022

Revised 04.04.2023; Effective 04.18.2023