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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Board-Agenda Packets-3/11/2013 (26) City of QIii11 �yvi Texas PUBLIC NOTICE COLLEYVILLE LIBRARY BOARD WORK SESSION AGENDA August 20, 2003 7:00 P.M. COLLEYVILLE CENTER 5301 RIVERWALK I. Call to Order II. Discussion of Library Internet Policies III. Next Meeting Date — September 9 or 10, 2003 IV. Adjournment I certify that this notice was posted on the bulletin boards at City Hall on Friday, August 15, 2003, at 4:30 p.m. 4.7744/ 4136-An/dArt Cynthia Singleton, TRMC City Secretary P.O. BOX 185 COLLEYVILLE, TEXAS 76034 (817) 577-7575 MEMORANDUM To: Colleyville Public Library Board From: Mary Rodne, Library Director Date: August 19, 2003 Subject: Colleyville Public Library Internet Policy In preparation for developing an Internet Policy for the Colleyville Public Library, staff reviewed comparable policies of libraries both locally and nationally. The principal guideline used to develop this policy was a sample Internet Safety Policy developed by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Also, general basic guidelines included in most policies and items applicable to the Colleyville Public Library were incorporated into this policy. In preparing the policy, staff considered the proposed computer services described below. The Library will have twenty public access computers in three areas. The youth services area will have six computers and the adult services area will have fourteen computers. The computers in the Youth Services area will have limited Internet access to sites such as Yahooligans and the American Library Association Best Sites for Children. The computers will also have learning game software such as Reader Rabbit, etc. and access to the TexShare databases and Library databases. The adult computers will have access to most Internet sites, TexShare databases, Library databases, software such a Excel, Word, Publisher, etc. The Library will also have print, time, and access management software programs. This will allow the Library to set time usage limits and access levels. Parents or guardians will be able to choose the level of Internet access their minor children will be allowed to use. Patrons will log on with their library card numbers to use the system. On the basis of the above, staff proposed the attached Internet Policy for consideration at the August 20, 2003, Library Board work session. Staff is also working on a Computer Usage policy, which will describe Library computer services, guidelines for use and printing costs, etc. GUY of COLLEYVILLE 00f1-.eyvilliia�1' i LIBRARY PUBLIC LIB Texas INTERNET POLICY ❑ GENERAL STATEMENT In accordance with the mission of the Colleyville Public Library, access to the Internet is provided for users to support the cultural, educational, intellectual, and recreational needs of the community. The objectives of this service are to provide access to the Internet's rich and vast array of resources, to link the Library with other organizations and institutions in providing a community information network, and to provide direct access to a variety of subscribed databases. Because the nature of the Internet and technology in the public library is ever changing, guidelines and procedures are developed and modified when necessary, using the principles outlined in this policy to assure equitable access to Internet resources. Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided to library cardholders, non-residents, adults and minors as described in this document. ❑ STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The purpose of this policy statement is to describe the Internet services that are offered by the Colleyville Public Library, and to provide standards that will ensure consistency of Internet service to all patrons. ❑ DISCLAIMER • The Colleyville Public Library cannot control the content of resources available on the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet offers open access to information, ideas and commentary from around the world in an unregulated medium. As such, it offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, but also enables access to some material that some may find offensive, disturbing and/or illegal, inaccurate or incomplete. Internet Policy Draft 8/19/2003 1 of 5 • The availability of information does not constitute endorsement of the content by the Colleyville Public Library. • The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection. Library users use it at their own risk. Use of Internet resources carries with it a responsibility to evaluate the quality of the information accessed. Access, use, or dissemination of information via the Internet 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, guardian or caregiver. ❑ PRIVACY • The Colleyville Public Library seeks to protect the First Amendment rights of its customers and their individual right to privacy. However, Internet users must be sensitive to the fact that workstations are in public areas and, therefore, images on the screen are subject to view by a wide audience. Users are urged to respect the sensibilities of others when accessing information that may reasonably be offensive to someone else. • Users are cautioned that the Internet is not a secure environment. Personal information included in all transactions, files and communications may be subject to unauthorized access by third parties. • The Colleyville Public Library respects the confidentiality of those using its electronic resources and will only release library records as required by law or for the Library's operations. ❑ ACCEPTABLE USE • Internet access computers may be used to access a variety of electronic communication resources. The Library does not provide electronic mail accounts or access to chat rooms. Although the Library does not provide email accounts to users, Internet access computers may be used to access free email accounts available from a variety of sources. • The Library's Internet access computers may not be used by ANY user to access inappropriate or illegal materials, including but not limited to material of an obscene nature or child pornography. In addition, minors are prohibited from accessing materials considered to be "harmful to minors". (Illegal materials include, but are not limited to, obscenity and child pornography as defined in U.S. Code Title 18 and State Penal Code Chapters 42 and 43.) Internet Policy Draft 8/19/2003 2 of 5 • The Library's Internet access computers may be used to access information, except as otherwise specified as unacceptable, from a variety of sources such as educational or commercial. The user is the selector of the material accessed and is therefore the responsible party. The user is responsible for complying with all restrictions governing access to specific sites. ❑ INTERNET CONTENTS The Colleyville Public Library utilizes software that blocks sources on the Internet that are inconsistent with the Library's mission statement. The filtering software product (which is not under the control of the Library) may restrict access to sites that could be deemed objectionable, but may also limit access to sites that have legitimate research value. Adult users (age 18 or older) doing bona fide research may request staff to bypass the filter. No filtering system is completely effective or efficient. Users are warned that objectionable and/or illegal materials may still be accessible through the filtering software. ❑ CHILDREN'S ACCESS TO THE INTERNET • The Colleyville Public Library supports the right of all library users to access information and will not deny access to the Internet based solely on age. • The Library recognizes that the electronic information networks such as the Internet may contain material that is inappropriate for children. Parents, guardians or caregivers are responsible for their minor children's use of the Library's resources and facilities. The Library offers two levels of Internet access. Parents, guardians or caregivers will have to determine which level of access is appropriate for their children. • Parents, guardians or caregivers who believe that their minor children cannot responsibly use the Library's Internet access are requested to monitor their children's Internet use. • Parents, guardians or caregivers are encouraged to discuss with their children issues of appropriate use and Internet safety. ❑ CONDITIONS GOVERNING INTERNET USE • When registering for a Library card or an access number, an adult patron must sign a Colleyville Public Library Adult Internet Use Agreement, indicating that he or she read the Library's Internet Use Policy and agrees to abide by it and future versions of the policy as a condition of using the Library's Internet Access. Internet Policy Draft 8/19/2003 3 of 5 • When registering a minor for a Library card or an access number, a minor patron's parent or legal guardian must sign a Colleyville Public Library Minor Internet Use Agreement, indicating that both the parent, guardian or caregiver and the minor patron, if of reading age, have read the Library's Internet Use Policy, agree that the minor may use the Library's Internet Access Service, and that the minor patron will abide by it and future versions of the policy as a condition of the minor patron using the Library's Internet Access Service and elect the minor patron's level of Internet access. A signed agreement without an election is not a valid agreement and the minor patron will not be allowed to use the Library's Internet Access Service. ❑ USAGE GUIDELINES • Users will not make any attempt to misuse the computer hardware and software, while using the Internet. Misuse includes, but is not limited to, hacking into the library computer system or any other computer system; damaging or attempting to damage computer equipment or software; interfering with systems operations, integrity or security; gaining unauthorized access to another person's files; sending harassing messages to other computer users; and altering or attempting to alter the library computer's settings. • Installation, downloading, or modification of software is prohibited. • Any fees, printing or other, are the responsibility of the user, not the Library. In the case of minors, fees are the fiscal responsibility of the parent, guardian or caregiver. • Users must log on to use the Internet on a next-available-computer basis using a Colleyville Public Library card number. Non-residents will need to register for an access number. Users may reserve computers in the Library and remotely. Remote reservation access is available to Colleyville Public Library residents only. • Access sessions will be limited to sixty (60) minutes. If no one is waiting, usage time may be extended. • Users will end their session and leave the computer when asked to do so by authorized Library staff, even if they have not completed their access session. • Users will respect the privacy of other library users, and will refrain from attempting to view or read material being used by others. Users are prohibited from the unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal information of others. Users are prohibited from misrepresenting oneself to others. Internet Policy Draft 8/19/2003 4 of 5 • By mutual agreement, two or more persons may share one access session as long as their behavior or conversation does not disturb other users or Library staff. ❑ TERMINATION OR PROHIBITION OF USER ACCESS When Library employees believe that the user has failed to comply with the Internet Safety Policy, they are authorized to terminate any user's access session or to prohibit a user from subsequent access sessions. Users are advised that due process will be used to handle violations of an illegal nature, including criminal prosecution, if necessary. ❑ REVISIONS The staff and Library Board of the Colleyville Public Library will review the Internet Policy periodically, and reserve the right to recommend changes at any time. Internet Policy Draft 8/19/2003 5 of 5