Computer Usage Policy
Tremonton City Municipal Library
Public User Agreement Computer and Internet Usage Policy
Effective June 13, 2001
1. ACCESS TO INTERNET RESOURCES ~,
1.1 The mission of the Tremonton Public Library is to make readily available to the greatest number of Tremonton residents the most wanted library materials of all kinds, to serve as an access point for any needed information and to provide these services free to all the people of our city. Our library will be a center for reading, listening and viewing for both adults and children and will furnish supplemental resources for the elementary and secondary school students.
1.2 The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of it’s own collection. It allows access to ideas, information and commentary from around the globe. Currently, however, it is an unregulated medium. As such, while it offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, it also enables access to some material that may be offensive, disturbing and/or illegal.
1.3 Library staff will identify specific starting points for searches which are appropriate to the Library’s mission and service roles. The Library cannot control material which may be accessible from Internet sources. It is impossible to apply the same selection criteria which are used for other materials, i.e. printed, audio, and visual sources.
1.4 Where feasible, the Library will implement software and hardware control to prohibit information which the Library has determined to be inconsistent with it’s Mission and service roles. Where possible, the Library will filter out access to information pertaining to materials of an illegal nature, gang affiliations, hate-crimes, and those deemed pornographic. Individual users must accept responsibility for determining content suitability. Access by minors to sites that contain obscene materials is restricted. Internet access is filtered by UEN. Parents of minor children (seventeen and under) are legally responsible for their children’s use of the Internet through the Library’s connection.
2. CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF USE OF INTERNET SERVICES IN THE LIBRARY.
2.1 Access to the Library’s computer reference services are limited. The Library will establish procedures that will make Internet stations available on a first come, first serve basis, in one-hour blocks of time. The operation hours of the program are from the posted Library opening to 15 minutes before scheduled closing of the Library.
2.2 Patrons will sign a record for time of use on the Internet, and will be held responsible for any additional charges or fees that may come to the Library during their recorded time of use.
2.3 The Library reserves the right to require all prospective users to attend an orientation session as a condition for access to the Library Internet stations. Orientation will include training in the use of software and hardware and guidelines for the responsible care of Library equipment.
2.4 All prospective users will sign an Internet Use Contract. Youth under 18 years of age will be required to have written parental or guardian permission in order to access the Internet. While the Library will make every effort to ensure the use of the Internet is consistent with the Library’s Mission statement, parents are encouraged to work closely with their children in selecting material that is consistent with personal and family values and appropriate boundaries.
2.5 Library patrons will make no changes to any files, programs, settings, or passwords, on the Library public access computers. Copying of commercial software to or from the Library’s computers is forbidden. Library patrons will not install any program on the Library’s computers.
2.6 Patrons will be required to purchase a diskette from the Library in order to save or download Internet information in order to avoid computer viruses.
2.7 The Library’s goal in making the Internet available to our patrons is to provide a source for research and the gathering of information of an educational nature. The use valuable computer time to visit “chat rooms” or play games will not be allowed.
2.8 Patrons use of the Internet will be monitored during and after uses. Patrons found to be using Library Internet services inappropriately will be promptly warned.
3.0 Staff members have been informed of their responsibility in enforcing the Internet Policy. Records of infractions will be kept so that all staff members can appropriately deal with Patrons’ misuse of the Internet.
3.1 Patrons who have complaints or concerns about the adopted Internet Policy may address them at the monthly Library Board Meeting. Dates and times may be asked of the library staff.