INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

(Internet Use Policies for Albemarle Regional Library System)

PURPOSE: The Albemarle Regional Library is pleased to be able to provide its patrons with free access to the World Wide Web. The purpose of this service is to augment existing library materials by providing access to information not otherwise available. The Albemarle Regional Library Board of Trustees believes that in accordance with the library's mission as an educational institution that access to Internet be limited to research and informational uses only. Due to limited resources and the nature of some materials available through Internet, it is necessary to impose some restrictions on its use.

DISCLAIMER: The library has no control over materials available on the Internet, and can in no way be held responsible for its content. Should you find any of the information retrieved through the use of the Internet as being offensive or inaccurate, we suggest that you contact the original creator or producer of the information.

STAFF ASSISTANCE: Library staffs are available to provide limited assistance to patrons with connecting to the Internet and to answer basic questions to the best of their ability. However, because they are not experts and do not hold themselves out as such, they are limited in the amount of instruction they can provide. The majority of the responsibility for learning how to navigate the Internet and the computer will be yours. If you would like more in-depth training, you might consider contacting a community college of your choice.

RULES AND REGULATIONS: By signing to use an Internet terminal you are also agreeing to abide by the following:

The Albemarle Regional Library Board of Trustees believes that it is the responsibility of the parents/legal guardians or authorized caregivers to monitor their children's access to the Internet while in the library and to determine what is appropriate for their own children.

Children under 13 MUST be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian while accessing Internet. For those patrons under 13 not accompanied by a parent/legal guardian or caregiver the library staff will be available to assist in their research needs, subject to reasonable time limitations.
A valid photo Identification (ID) with date of birth must be presented upon request for patrons 18 and older when first signing up for Internet privileges.
Young adults, ages 13 through 17, may access Internet with signed approval by a parent/legal guardian/authorized caregiver. The necessary agreements must be signed in the presence of a library staff.
Authorization to use Internet shall be noted on the individual’s automated Patron record (for patrons age 13 and above). Responsibility for and any restriction of, a child’s use of the Internet rest solely with his or her parents or legal guardians. Children who use the Internet unsupervised may be exposed to inappropriate or disturbing information and images. Parents are encouraged to discuss and monitor their children’s use of the Internet.
All Internet users must be registered patrons of the Albemarle Regional Library with the following exceptions: adults not residing in the four-county region doing genealogy research; or tourists passing through who wish to check their e-mail. However, they must read and sign the “Contract for Acceptable Use of Internet” policy.

As all library staff may not recognize every patron within our region, Patron ID cards should be presented EVERY TIME you sign up to use Internet to confirm user authorization, and user eligibility.

Due to the limited number of terminals patrons must sign up at the Circulation Desk in order to use Internet on a first-come, first-serve basis. In addition, all first time Internet Users must sign a “Contract for Responsible Use of Internet". Time slots are for 30-minute intervals. Patrons may sign up for additional 30 minute slots if no one is waiting. Total time for any one individual shall not exceed two hours per day.
No more than two individuals should use one Internet workstation; exception for example, a parent accompanying/accompanied by more than one child.
Use of e-mail by patrons with existing e-mail accounts will be allowed. However, the library staff will not be available to establish individual e-mail accounts.
Printing is available at each location for printing information retrieved on the Internet for a $.15 cents charge per page for black and white copies and $1.00 charge per page for color copies, or such different amount as the Library Board may direct.
All research/printing should be completed at least fifteen minutes prior to closing.
Laptops may be used in the libraries; they cannot be plugged into any library jack.
The library's Internet terminals may not be used for Internet Relay Chat or other types of CHAT LINES, MUDS, GAMES, P2P (peer to peer), IM (instant messenger) or web pages that interface to or emulates these services except through services authorized by the Regional Board of Trustees, for example the 24/7 reference service NCKnows. Library computers may not be used for profit making activities.

· Installation, downloading, or modification of software is prohibited. Downloading to the Internet computer's hard disk drive is not permitted because files and programs downloaded from the Internet may contain viruses.If a patron wishes to download files, they may be downloaded using supported media such as floppy disk, cd-r, or usb flash device. The library is not responsible for damage to the patron’s media or data, including damage caused by mechanical problems, virus, and or spyware.

· Internet users may not use their own software on library computers.

Internet users may not save personal bookmarks or personal files. Staff will check computers regularly, and all such bookmarks and files will be deleted.
Use of copyrighted materials unless authorized is not allowed. “Information retrieved or utilized electronically should be considered constitutionally protected unless determined otherwise by a court with appropriate jurisdiction. Patrons should respect intellectual property rights by making only authorized copies of copyrighted, licenses or otherwise controlled software or data residing on the Internet.”
Because these terminals are in a public place, patron confidentiality is not assured; therefore patrons may not visit pages containing images that may reasonably be construed as obscene. Since library public computers are located in public areas which are shared by library users of all ages and backgrounds, patrons are asked to consider this when accessing potentially controversial information and images. Library staff does not have the time to consistently and effectively monitor the public’s use of the Internet. However, the library reserves the right to ask individuals to discontinue the display of information and images which cause a disturbance. Users are cautioned that, because security in an electronic environment such as the Internet can not be guaranteed, all transactions, files, and communication are subject to unauthorized access and use, and, therefore, should be considered public.
Patrons may not make any changes to the computer equipment, printers, or software. Deliberate destruction or damage to equipment or software will result in loss of Internet privileges and possible legal action. This includes, but is not limited to, damaging or altering the setup of the equipment and altering or damaging software or data on the computers or the Internet. This also includes the deliberate propagation of computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spam, and spyware.
Illegal activities or activities that interfere with or disrupt the network, users, services or equipment are forbidden. The library does not regularly monitor public computers, but reserves the right to do so when a violation of this policy or illegal activity is suspected. Staff is authorized to take immediate action to ensure the security of computers and the network and to enforce the rules. This includes, but is not limited to, confiscating any removable media, requiring a patron to leave a computer or the premises, and contacting appropriate law enforcement agencies. Public computers may not be used for illegal activity or to access illegal materials. Unethical use of the Internet is not allowed.
Patrons may not create, display or transmit materials that may be reasonably obscene, threatening, abusive, racist, and/or offensive. Patrons may not use the public computers to view obscenity or child pornography. A commercial filtering software solution is in place on all public library computers. However, the library cannot guarantee that the filtering software will block all obscenity, child pornography, or materials that may be harmful to minors.
Due to the limited resources available for public access to the internet, the library may set limits, including but not limited to, use of large files of still or moving images or sound, or on downloading files in any medium. The public must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including laws governing the transmission and distribution of information while accessing the internet, and comply with all Library policies and procedures.
Library computers may not be used to conduct a business or commercial enterprise, or engage in commercial activity such as the distribution of advertising.
The Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from its connections to the Internet. The library makes no guarantee, either expressed or implied, regarding the quality and subject matter of the information available on the Internet. Not all the information available via the Internet is truthful, up to date or complete. Users are encouraged to be good information patrons by evaluating the legitimacy of information accessed via the Internet.
Patrons are warned that ideas, points of view and images can be found on the Internet which are controversial, divergent and/or inflammatory. The provision of access to the internet does not mean or imply that the Library endorses or sanctions the content or point of view of any of the information or commentary which may be found on the Internet. The Internet offers access to a wealth of information that can be personally, professionally and culturally enriching. But, because the Internet is an enormous and unregulated information network, it also enables access to ideas, information, images and commentary beyond the boundaries of the Library’s collection, mission, selection criteria and collection development policies. Because of this and the fact that access points on the Internet can and do change often, quickly and unexpectedly, the Library cannot protect individuals from information and images which they might find offensive or upsetting.
The library affirms the principals and user rights as defined in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights in Cyberspace. The Library’s Internet Acceptable Use Policy affirms the safeguarding of First Amendment rights, intellectual freedom, equity of access, confidentiality of information about users and their use of all library resources including electronic resources, and individual responsibility.

VIOLATIONS of the Internet Usage Policy will be dealt with as follows:

First offense: Staff informs patron of violation of policy; issues oral warning; documents date in patron’s record

Second offense: Internet privileges are revoked for 30 days; documented in patron’s record.

Third offense: Internet privileges are revoked for one full year; documented in patron’s record.

Forth offense: Internet privileges are permanently revoked unless, upon hearing a formal request for reinstatement of privileges, the Regional Library Board of Trustees during a regularly scheduled meeting grants a waiver.

Approved by the Regional Board of Trustees, May 17, 2006 ; revised November 28, 2007.