Acceptable Internet Use

The Library provides workstations for free public access to the Internet as an informational, educational, and recreational resource. In return, the Library expects that all use of electronic information resources will be responsible and ethical, consistent with the law and the purpose for which these resources are provided.

Users at Internet workstations should bear in mind that the workstations are located in public areas shared by people of all ages and backgrounds, and that they are expected to show consideration for others when viewing web pages. All library users are expected to respect the privacy of all other library users.

Patrons may not:

• View, print, distribute display, send, or receive images, text or graphics of obscene materials or material that violates laws relating to child pornography.
• Send, receive or display text or graphics which may be reasonably construed by library staff as offensive to the public.
• Disseminate, exhibit, or display to minors materials that are harmful to minors.
• Misrepresent themselves to other users.
• Use an Internet workstation to transmit threatening or harassing material.
• Engage in any activity that is deliberately offensive or creates an intimidating or hostile environment.
• Violate copyright or software licensing agreements, including the downloading of copyrighted text or music files.
• Gain unauthorized access to any computing, information, or communications devices or resources.
• Damage, alter, or degrade computer equipment, peripherals, software, or configurations.
• Install software applications.
• Use a workstation to wager.

In sum, use of any workstation is for legal purposes only. No person shall use a library workstation in a way that disturbs or interferes with users, employees or operations of the Library.

Library staff members reserve the right to monitor use of Internet workstations to ensure compliance with these governing principles, and Internet privileges may be suspended if the staff observes any behavior which is judged to be in violation. Serious or repeated offenses may result in the user being permanently banned from the library.

Internet Safety: The Polk County Public Library will use an appropriate technology protection measure to block or filter Internet access. The measure will protect access by adults and minors to visual depictions that are obscene, that include child pornography, or that are harmful to minors. It may be disabled for adults engaged in bona fide research or other lawful purposes. The technology protection measure will specifically address the following:

• Restricted access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web
• Provision for the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other direct forms of direct electronic communications
• Prevention of unauthorized access, including so-called hacking, and other unlawful activities by minors online
• Prevention of unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors
• Provision of measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors

The Polk County Public Library assumes no responsibility for the use of Internet by children. Subject to the above restrictions, it is the responsibility of the user (or the parent, guardian, or caregiver) to determine what is appropriate. Children or young adults under the age of 18 should have parental permission to use the Internet. Just as libraries do not vouch for or endorse the view points of written materials in their collections, they do not do so for electronic information. Selection policies which serve to govern a library's purchase of written materials may not apply to material accessed electronically.

Because of the limited size of the Library's public services staff, persons who clearly need basic instruction in the use of computers may, at the discretion of staff, be referred to an appropriate educational institution, such as the local community college, for basic information literacy training.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, January 16, 1998
Dorothy Kunze, Chair

Updated and approved by the Library Board of Trustees,
Nancy Hiley, Chair, May 23, 2007