Aberdeen District Library

Revised 1-22-07

Aberdeen District Library

Acceptable Use Procedures

Successful operation of the computer network at the Aberdeen District Library requires that all users conduct themselves in a responsible, lawful, ethical and polite manner while using the network. The user (and/or parent/guardian) is ultimately responsible for his/her actions while using the computers and/or Internet services. These guidelines do not attempt to articulate all required or proscribed behavior by its users.

General Policies

Appropriate and Ethical Network Use

1.                  Use of the system must be in conformity to state and federal law, network provider policies and licenses, and library policies.

2.                  Malicious use of the system to harass other users or gain unauthorized access to any computer or computing system and /or damage the components of a computer or computing system is prohibited.

3.                  Users are responsible for the appropriateness and content of material they transmit or publish on the system. Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, or other antisocial behaviors, including inappropriate language are expressly prohibited.

4.                  Use of the system to access, store or distribute obscene, pornographic, violent or otherwise inappropriate material is prohibited.

5.                  No use of the system shall serve to disrupt the operation of the system by others or compromise the security or integrity of library information or software; system components including hardware or software shall not be destroyed, modified or abused in any way.

6.                  Users are not allowed to download or install software of any kind.

7.                  The network may not be used to generate sounds and/or visuals which might be disruptive to others.

8.                  The online catalog station is not to be used for general Internet access.

9.                  Library staff are not trained computer instructors. Users are responsible for their own use of the computers and software, including the proper and safe storage of data and use of individual pieces of software. The staff is happy to render whatever advice and assistance they can, but it is the user’s responsibility to have an adequate knowledge of computing to insure the security of library computing equipment as well as the user’s data, and successfully make use of the public computing facilities.

10.              A parent must accompany children under the age of six while using the network resources.

11.              No more than one person per computer at a time.

12.              During regular hours each user is limited to one hour of internet or children’s computer use and 15 minutes of online catalog computer use. Library staff may waive time limits if they feel there is more than adequate access available at that particular time. Access through the wireless connection will not be subject to time constraints.

13.              The library staff is responsible for reasonable access to the computing facilities at the Aberdeen District Library. The library staff has the duty of enforcing the computing policy. If a user(s) refuses to cooperate with the staff in their performance of this duty, the staff has the right to revoke computing privileges. Users refusing to cooperate past this point will be dealt with under the general library policies, which may result in their removal from the premises.

14.              Decisions may be appealed to the library director, and if a satisfactory conclusion is not reached the decision may be appealed to the Library Board of Trustees.

Printer Usage Policy

1.                  All prints: 10 cents per page.

2.                  No paper can be brought to use in the printer.

Personal Security

1.                  Personal Information such as addresses and telephone numbers should remain confidential when communicating on the system. Minors should never reveal such information without permission from a parent/guardian. No user may disclose, use, or disseminate personal identification information regarding minors without authorization.

2.                  Minors should never make appointments to meet people in person that they have contacted on the system without parent permission.

3.                  Minors should notify a library staff member whenever they come across information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate or make them feel uncomfortable on the web or when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications (i.e. instant message services).

Library Rights

Aberdeen District Library reserves the right to have Library Staff:

1.                  Monitor all activity of the Aberdeen District Library computer network.

2.                  Determine whether specific uses of the network are consistent with these acceptable use guidelines.

3.                  Deem what is appropriate use.

4.                  Remove a user’s access to the network at any time it is determined that the user is engaged in unauthorized activity or violating this acceptable use policy.

5.                  Cooperate fully with any investigation concerning or relating to any Aberdeen District Library computer network activity.

6.                  The library reserves the rights to prioritize use and access to the system.

7.                  Decisions may be appealed to the library director, and if a satisfactory conclusion is not reached the decision may be appealed to the Library Board of Trustees.

Library Responsibilities/Limitations

1.                  The library will attempt to provide error free and dependable access to technology resources associated with the Aberdeen District Library computer network. The library will not be held liable for any information that may be lost, damaged, or unavailable due to technical or other difficulties.

2.                  The library will not deny or remove a user’s right to use Aberdeen District Library computer network resources without just cause.

3.                  Library staff attempt to monitor user’s internet use by casual visual observation, and any obviously inappropriate internet activity is curtailed. Computer histories are also monitored and inappropriate use of the computers is addressed with the appropriate user. However, it is the parents privilege and responsibility to guide and direct the computer use and activities of their own minor children in an ever-expanding universe of information. Parental discretion and control are the keys to maintaining an appropriate balance between access and limitations for their own children. The library does not stand in loco parentis (in loco parentis: in place of a parent; charged with a parent’s right, duties and responsibilities.)

Confidentiality

Rights and Responsibilities of the patron include:

1.                  Use of the Internet computers is done through the library’s circulation system, and access to sites will be treated as circulation records. The privacy of these records is protected under Idaho law and the policies of the Aberdeen District Library.

2.                  The Library will do its best to protect the confidentiality of computer users concerning the users’ access to those databases and sites which do not violate the legal and ethical standards of the library. However, the library cannot insure privacy for computer users in a public computing environment. The user should be aware that electronic transactions and records are vulnerable to interception and viewing by unauthorized parties.

Internet Access

Patron Access Policies:

1.                  All persons using the library computer network are required to have a signed Internet Permission Slip on record at the Aberdeen District Library.

2.                  Minor patrons must have an Internet Permission Slip that is signed by a parent/guardian on record at the Aberdeen District Library.

3.                  Any person found in violation of this policy or any other library policy involving computer use, privacy rights, or issues of inappropriate decorum will:

a.       Receive a verbal or written warning to desist. In the case of accessing inappropriate material on the computer the person is given a verbal warning and a copy of the Internet Permission Slip.

b.      If the problem persists, that person(s) will be asked to leave the computing area, or in necessary cases, will be told to vacate the library building and grounds. The user will be given a copy of the Acceptable Use Procedures and a warning from director or assistant director if a second problem concerning accessing inappropriate materials occurs.

c.       If the problem recurs upon a subsequent use of the Aberdeen District Library computers by that user, the user will be denied computing privileges at the library for up to a six-month period.

d.      If the user violates the acceptable use policy another time, they will lose all computing privileges at the Aberdeen District Library.

4.                  Wireless internet access will fall under all the same policies for Acceptable Use at the Aberdeen District Library. User of the wireless internet is responsible for all use of that computer on the Aberdeen District Library network.

5.                  Users are responsible for configuring their own wireless device.