COMPUTER USE AND SAFETY POLICY

The Marshall County Library System provides computers and Internet access for public use in order to pursue electronic resources not readily available in print by local libraries and schools.

The Library computers are available to residents, both students and adult, of Marshall County that have a library card and whose account is free of fines and overdue books.  Also, to non-residents who agree to abide by our use policies.  The procedures for gaining access to and making optimum use of these resources shall be made available to users.  

The Board of Trustees of the Marshall County Library System and the staff of the libraries respect the needs and interests of the citizens of Marshall County, who range from children to the elderly.   The Library System supports the Library Bill of Rights, which states,”Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves.”   The Library also recognizes an individual’s right to information.  However, in an effort to equitably share the remarkable resources represented by the Internet, and recognizing the current very open nature of our buildings’ structures, no access to sexually or violently explicit websites will be permitted via the library computers.  To help insure this restriction, Marshall County Library System has installed and maintains (through its Internet providers) filtering software on all library computers, both staff- and public-access.   Anyone attempting to override this filtering software will be denied use of the library computers in the future. 

DISCLAIMER
The Library does not assume responsibility for the information accessed through the Internet.  The Internet is an unregulated medium.   Not all information on the Internet is current, accurate, or complete, and the Library disclaims responsibility concerning the validity of material found there.  Despite the use of filtering software, there are materials on the Internet which may offend or disturb patrons of any age.    Library patrons use the Internet at their own risk.

Use Guidelines

1. Users of the library’s public computers with Internet connection are required to have a valid Marshall County Public Library card that is clear of fines over $5.00 and with no overdue books. If the patron is from out of town, a “guest pass” will be given with a barcode for them to use.
2. Patrons must sign the correct computer use clipboard and show a valid library card at the start of their computer session. Each session is limited to 30 minutes but if no one is waiting, a second thirty-minute session may be requested.
3. Patrons will be issued a system-generated barcode to be used to sign on the first available workstation, and will be required to read and agree to the Library System’s policy statement (on a preliminary screen) before proceeding to the Internet and other computer programs.
4. No more than two persons may sit at one computer at a time.
5. Users wishing to use e-mail must establish their own accounts with one of the free e-mail providers, and may use the library’s computers to access their e-mail account. The library’s computers may not be used to send threatening, obscene, abusive or harassing messages, or for illegal purposes.
6. The Internet computers cannot be used to access, transmit, upload or download, or distribute material that is pornographic, defamatory, sexually explicit, obscene, or harmful to a minor.
7. Files and bookmarks may not be saved to the hard drive, but can be saved to the patron’s jump drive or CD. Although reasonable precautions are taken, the library does not guarantee the hard drives to be virus free. The library assumes no liability for virus infections if patrons save files to their own drives or CDs. The library is not responsible for lost files.
8. Reasonable care of the computers by the user is expected. Misuse of computers will result in loss of computer privileges.
9. Library staff may assist the user in accessing the Internet, but cannot provide in-depth assistance and/or training. The same pertains to personal computer use including word processing.
10. There is no charge for internet/computer use; however, the charge is $.25 for each printed page and must be paid at the time of printing. This includes mistakes and misprints, and applies to children as well as adults.  If there is a problem with printing, patrons should contact a staff member immediately.  Someone at the circulation desk will release the prints at the patron’s request.  The patron will be told the total cost of the job before it is printed.

At the end of any workday, the number of computer-use sign-ins is tabulated for library statistics, and then the sign-in sheets are destroyed.  This is to protect the privacy of any patron, of any age, signing in to use the library computers.

USERS MAY NOT:

---- make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software.

---- make any attempt to alter computer configurations.

---- use any library workstations for any illegal or criminal purpose, including (but not limited to) so-called “hacking”, or electronically gaining illegal access to websites without authorization to those websites.

---- engage in any activity which is deliberately and maliciously offensive to community standards, libelous, or slanderous.

---- install or download any software.

---- violate another user’s privacy.

 

U.S. Copyright law (Title 17, U. S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction of distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of “fair use”.  Users may not copy or distribute electronic materials (including electronic mail, text, images, programs or data) without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.  Any responsibility for any consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user; the Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.

The Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility arising from access to or use of information obtained through its electronic information system, or any consequences thereof.

The Marshall County Public Library System abides by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) which is a federal law enacted by Congress to address concerns about access to offensive content over the Internet on school and library computers. CIPA imposes certain types of requirements on any school or library that receives funding for Internet access or internal connections from the E-rate program – a program that makes certain communications technology more affordable for eligible schools and libraries. In early 2001, the FCC issued rules implementing CIPA.

 

Approved by the Board of Trustees: 10/25/2011