WEST CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION NETWORK POLICY

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1 INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION NETWORK POLICY The Internet and the Library's Mission The West Chicago Public Library District offers access to the Internet, a worldwide electronic information network. It is offered in support of the Library's mission to provide materials, resources and services to help community residents obtain information to meet their educational, professional, cultural, and social needs. The Internet presents the Library with an unprecedented opportunity to fulfill its mission by expanding the scope of information available to community residents. The freedom to access information is a responsibility. The Internet enables the Library to provide resources not available within the confines of its own collection. The Library encourages patrons to evaluate carefully the information obtained via the Internet. While there are many highly dependable and useful sources, other sources may be unreliable, inaccurate, or out-ofdate. Some sources may be offensive or controversial. Library staff is available to assist users in making judgments about the reliability or currency of certain types of information and sources, but cannot provide definitive analyses of particular sources. The Library uses no Internet filtering software. Responsibility for what minors access on the Internet rests with parents or legal guardians. Children in the 6 th grade or younger may only access the Internet on the workstation(s) in the Library s Youth Services Department with a parent or legal guardian present during all Internet use. Library staff cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet or other electronic resources. Computer users are prohibited from: damaging or altering the Library's computer equipment or software; violating system security; violating licensing agreements; using the network to harass other users; violating a Federal or State law including, but not limited to, accessing material that is obscene or child pornography as defined by the Illinois Criminal Code, 720 ILCS 5/11-20 & 720 ILCS 5/ The Library may set procedures to assist staff and patrons in the use of electronic resources. Such procedures include, but are not limited to, the following: time limits for access; limits on use of , chat rooms and message boards; cost recovery for printouts; specific instructions for downloading; restrictions on the use of personal software on Library computer equipment; restrictions on the use of the workstations for other purposes. Breach of policy The use of the Internet falls under the Library's Internet and Electronic Information Network User Agreement. Violation of any aspect of this policy (or of established Library procedures) may result in loss of computer privileges: two weeks for a first offense; six months for a second offense; one year for each subsequent offense. 1

2 INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION NETWORK PROCEDURES Purpose Statement All computer resources accessible through the Library are provided equally to all West Chicago Public Library District residents with the understanding that it is the individual user s responsibility to demonstrate judgment, respect for others and appropriate conduct while using the Library s resources and facilities. Access to the Internet is not an automatic obligation of the Library. It is a privilege, not a right, provided for users to support and aid the legitimate research, lifelong learning, and scientific, educational, and recreational need of the community. A. Privacy An individual s use of Library computer resources is not monitored; however, users should have no expectation of privacy as all computer workstations and printers are in view of other patrons and staff. B. Supervising Children s Use The Library uses no Internet filtering software. The public library does not serve in place of a parent or guardian. Library staff cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet or other electronic resources. Responsibility for what minors read or view rests with parents or legal guardians. C. Legal Responsibilities Access, use, or transmission of information via the Internet or other computer workstations in the Library is the responsibility of the user. In the case of minors, it is a joint responsibility of the user and the parent or legal guardian. Misuse of Library computers will result in the loss of computer privileges, potential loss of library privileges and possible legal prosecution. Users will be responsible for knowledge of all applicable federal, state, and local laws for which they may or may not be held in violation. Misuse includes, but is not limited to: 1. Using the computer for illegal activities or unlawful communications such as threats of violence, obscenity, child pornography and harassing communications as defined by law. 2. Hacking into the library computer system or any other computer system. 3. Damaging or attempting to damage library computer equipment or software. 4. Interfering with systems operations, integrity or security. 5. Gaining unauthorized access to another person s files or accounts. 6. Altering or attempting to alter the library computers settings. 7. Intentional propagation of computer viruses. 8. Use of sounds or any other behavior which might be disruptive to others. 9. Personal software may not be installed on to any library computer. 10. Violating copyright laws and software licensing agreements. 2

3 D. User Responsibilities 1. All Internet users must have a signed user agreement on file. Users under the age of 18 must have a user agreement with a parent/legal guardian signature on file. The parent or legal guardian must have reached the age of 18. Parents/legal guardians are required to come to the Library to sign the user agreement for minors for which they are responsible. 2. Internet users must leave a current, valid West Chicago Public Library card at the Reference Desk. Users without a current, valid West Chicago Public Library card will be limited to Express workstation use only (see # 3 below for restrictions). 3. The Express workstation is for express users who are 18 years of age or older. The user must present a current photo ID, with birth date, to the Reference Desk staff. The Express workstation is limited to 15 minutes use. The Express browser is timer controlled and will automatically close after 15 minutes, purging all content that has not been sent. Users are responsible for finishing their correspondence and closing their program before time runs out. 4. Users of computer workstations with only Microsoft Office programs installed must sign in at the Reference Desk and provide a photo ID or WCPLD library card. There is a 2- hour time limit. 5. The Library s Youth Services Department and its computer workstations are intended to serve the information needs of our young patrons, 6 th grade or younger who are required to be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian during Internet access. With staff approval, those adults accompanied by infants or toddlers too young to be left alone in the Library may also use the Youth Services workstations. Adult users, without children in attendance, will be directed to use the computers in Adult Services. 6. The Library s Adult Services Department and its computer workstations are intended to serve the information needs of adults and users in the 7 th grade or older. Adult users accompanied by children in the 6 th grade or younger will be directed to use the computers in Youth Services. 7. Users may print to the Library s printer for a per-page fee. Users will be held financially responsible for damage to library hardware and software caused by or transmitted from user owned disks. The Library is not responsible for any loss or damage to user owned disks. 8. Workstations will not be reserved for persons who are not in the immediate vicinity when their name is called, or when their pager is alerted. Telephone reservations will not be taken. 9. Internet sessions, other than Express, will be limited to 60 minutes and may not exceed 2 hours per day, per user, if customers are waiting to use a computer. With Library staff approval, two registered users may share one session on one workstation as long as their behavior or conversation does not disturb other users or Library staff. 10. Users must end their session and promptly leave the workstation when asked to do so by Library staff. E. Termination or Prohibition of User Access Library employees are authorized to terminate any user s access session, or to prohibit a user from further access sessions for up to two weeks from the date of informing the user of that action, given cause to believe that the user has failed to comply with the West Chicago Public Library District Internet and Electronic Information Network Policy. A second offense will result in prohibition of computer usage for a single user for six months from the date of the offense. Subsequent offenses will result in prohibition of computer usage for a single user for one year from the date of the offense. 3

4 A computer workstation user whose access session has been terminated or prohibited will be given information concerning the process to protest the action and/or request that computer access privileges be reinstated. F. Disclaimer The West Chicago Public Library assumes no responsibility for any activities conducted by users of the Library computer workstations. The Library reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Use of the Library s Internet, Express and other computer workstations constitutes acceptance of the current version of the West Chicago Public Library District Internet and Electronic Information Network Policy. Approved by Policy and Personnel Committee: May 16, 2005 Approved by the Board of Library Trustees: May 23, 2005 Approved by the Board of Library Trustees: September 24,

5 INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION NETWORK USER AGREEMENT 1. I have read the policy and procedures concerning the use of the West Chicago Public Library s Internet and computer workstations and agree to abide by the stated terms. 2. I agree to pay any repair or replacement costs of the Library s equipment and software that has been damaged by myself or by minors for whom I am responsible. 3. I agree that the Library is not responsible for any damage to or loss of such personal software, disks or equipment used in the Library s computer workstations. 4. I agree to follow all local, state and federal laws, including copyright laws and I understand that copyright laws restrict duplication of copyrighted software. 5. I agree that the Library has no control over the Internet and its resources, and that access, use, or transmission of information via the Internet computer workstations in the Library is the responsibility of the user. In the case of minors, it is a joint responsibility of the user and the parent or legal guardian. 6. I agree not to use the computer for illegal activities or unlawful communications such as threats of violence, obscenity, child pornography and harassment as defined by law. 7. I understand that the West Chicago Public Library reserves the right to modify the Internet policy at any time and I agree that the use of an Internet workstation in the Library constitutes acceptance of the current version of the policy. 8. I understand that failure to abide by the Internet policy may result in loss of all computer privileges, potential loss of library privileges and possible legal prosecution. INTERNET USER NAME (PLEASE PRINT) # LIBRARY CARD NUMBER INTERNET USER SIGNATURE DATE For patrons under the age of 18: As the parent or legal guardian of CHILD S NAME (PLEASE PRINT) I give permission for my child to use the Internet workstations at the West Chicago Public Library and I understand the following: The Internet may contain material that is inappropriate for children under 18 years of age. The West Chicago Public Library does not use Internet filtering software. Library staff cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet or other electronic resources. Responsibility for what minors read or view rests with parents or legal guardians. Parents or legal guardians are financially and legally responsible for any harmful activity and/or physical damage done or caused by their minor children. PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN S SIGNATURE DATE 5