Kinsley Public Library

Computer and Internet Policy & Procedures

 

(This policy was adopted by the Kinsley Library Board on November 9, 2005)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

                In response to advances in technology and the changing educational, recreational and informational needs of the community, the Kinsley Public Library offers public access to the Internet and Electronic resources

 

            The Internet is an unregulated medium.  It offers access to a world of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching for people of all ages.  It also provides access to some materials that may be incorrect, out-of-date, incomplete, illegal and/or personally offensive to some people. Our patrons are strongly cautioned to keep in mind these factors when retrieving information from the Internet. The library has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content.  No filtering

device is installed, and therefore, no material is blocked. Users should also be advised that Kansas has laws prohibiting conduct against the public morals (Kansas Statutes 21-4301 and 21-4301a).

 

            Parents/Guardians should be aware there are some sites which they might consider inappropriate for their children.  It is the parents’ right and responsibility to control the information their children access on the Internet.  Parents or guardians, not the library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information accessed by their children.  We strongly urge parents to accompany their child if they are under the age of 18 while they use the Internet.

 

            In an effort to stay within Kansas Law as it relates to minors and to cooperate with the parents of our community, anyone under 18 who wants to access the Internet or use the computers will be required to have on file with the library a consent form signed in front of a librarian by the parent/guardian.

 

            Anyone wishing to use the library computers is required to read and understand the COMPUTER AND INTERNET POLICY AND PROCEDURES.  Any questions about the COMPUTER AND INTERNET POLICY AND PROCEDURES should be directed to a librarian.   Parents are also required to review and discuss the COMPUTER AND INTERNET POLICY AND PROCEDURE with their children before signing the Agreement.  Parents and guardians of minors should also convey to their children the standards and precautions that they personally have set for their children to follow when using the computers and Internet.

 

 

COMPUTER AND INTERNET POLICY & PROCEDURE

 

 

1)  Patron must have a Kinsley Library Card Patron Identification Number to log on  to a patron computer.  The card must be in good standing with fines not exceeding $2.99.  Visitors who do not have a Kinsley Library Card will be given a Guest Card for one-hour of access.

 

2)  User must have read the Kinsley Library=s COMPUTER AND INTERNET POLICY AND PROCEDURES and signed the Agreement which is kept on file in the library.  If a user is a minor under the age of 18 then a parent or guardian must also sign the agreement in the presence of a librarian.

 

3)  User must log onto the computer using his/her assigned identification number. The use of anyone else’s assigned number will result in the loss of computer privileges for the borrower and possibly for the lender.  Each time the user logs on, he/she reaffirms a willingness to abide by COMPUTER AND INTERNET POLICY AND PROCEDURES.

 

4)  General computer and Internet privileges are limited to 1 hour each day for each individual on a first come/first serve basis.  If a computer is unavailable when a patron wishes to log on, the patron should notify the librarian to be placed on a waiting list.  Patrons should be aware that the computer will log them out when their time is expended.  Any data not saved to a diskette, CD or USB/Flash Drive will be lost when the computer automatically logs the patron off

 

5)  Programs, files and documents may be saved to a patron’s formatted diskette, CD, or USB/Flash Drive. Diskettes and CD’s can be purchased at the circulation desk for 75 cents.  Data should be saved to the desk top only if the librarian has agreed to an extension of time.  Data saved to the desk top will be lost when or if  the computer is shut down.  Any programs, files or documents stored on the hard drive by the patron without a librarian=s authorization will be automatically deleted when the computer is shut down.

 

6) All diskettes, CD’s and USB/Flash Drives are the responsibility of the patron and the library staff takes no responsibility for any loss of data that may occur. 

 

7)  Use of the patron computers is provided free of charge at the Kinsley Library.  A fee of 104 per page is charged for printing.  The library’s computer management software limits printing to 5 pages per day.  Additional pages may be printed by contacting the librarian.

 

8)  The patron computers are available during all hours that the library is open and the computers and Internet are operational.  On rare occasions the library staff may reserve the computers for patron demonstration or instruction.  All programs will be exited five minutes before closing to allow the staff to shut down the computers and network.

 

9)  No user of the patron computers has any expectation of privacy.

 

10)  Using the computer should be regarded as an individual activity.  Only one person may be at a computer station at a time.  No one is allowed to stand or sit by the computer except a parent or guardian, a librarian giving assistance, or someone else designated by the librarian to give assistance.  Users should not look at the screen of or talk to the person sitting beside them.
 

11) Patrons do have E-mail privileges through the public e-mailing sites, e.g. Hotmail or Yahoo. Children who are allowed by their parents/guardian to use the Internet will also have access to E-mail.  Parents are advised that the content of E-mail, whether being sent or received,  is not controlled by the library or its staff in any way.  The same cautions that exist for web sites also apply for E-mailing on the Internet.

 

12)  The Kinsley Library reserves the right to suspend or terminate patron access to the Internet or patron computer without prior notice at any time for any reason. Unacceptable use of the computers, the network, or Internet access will result in the loss of computer privileges and may be subject to criminal prosecution. 

 

THE FOLLOWING USES ARE NOT PERMITTED:

 

a) misuse of any computer equipment including transmitting, uploading, downloading or otherwise accessing files or information dangerous to the integrity of the library’s network.   This includes any malicious or intentional misuse including but not limited to distribution of computer viruses or worms and vandalizing or altering the computer hardware and/or software of this library or any other computer system accessed through the Internet.  In addition, patrons are responsible for any damage occurring to the library hardware and software due to inappropriate actions or inaction while using the computers.  Fees can be accessed and charged to the user (or parent/guardian) for required repairs or replacement due to malicious or intentional misuse. 

           

b) violation of any local, state, or federal law or regulation

In particular, Kansas Statutes 21-4301 and 21-4301a should be followed.  It should be remembered that the library is a public place and children as well as other patrons and staff members can see the computer screen. Should a site which is inappropriate for a public setting be accessed, the user should close that Internet site. The library does reserve the right to question material accessed on its computer terminals for its appropriateness in a public setting.  Copies of Kansas Statutes 21-4301 and 21-4301a  will be made available to patrons.

 

c) gaining access to or using resources for which the user does not have authorization,

 

d) disrupting the work and/or use of the network and computers by others,
 

e) harassing, denigrating, or showing hostility to another,

 

f) copying software or materials protected by copyright,
 
g.  copying software or materials protected by copyright.

 

13.  The Internet is a valuable tool for accessing information.   The Kinsley Library wants to help parents keep their children safe while they use the Internet. Many parents/guardians are not familiar with the dangers posed by the Internet to minors.  The Library Staff will be happy to help parents and their children become more knowledgeable.  We also recommended that parents discuss the adaptation from Child Safety on the Information Highway by Lawrence J. Magid. available at the desk.  After the child understands the rules, the parent may want the child to sign the pledge.

 

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Last Updated September 9, 2008

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