Policy on Electronic Resources
Policy Approved: October 12, 1998
Policy Amended/Modified: October 9, 2000; July 1, 2002; September 14, 2004; August 8, 2005, November 14, 2005
The Lodi Public Library provides access to a broad range of informational and educational resources through the Internet, LINKcat and CD-ROMs. This service is part of our mission to serve people of all ages at all levels of need. The Library considers its endorsement of the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read documents to apply to the use of electronic information. The Library also upholds public access to information in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the United States.
The Internet is a global entity not governed by a single agency, government or organization: yet the Internet offers access to ideas, information and commentary from around the world. Accessing information via Library portals does not constitute the Library's endorsement of the content of that information. Nor does the Library warrant information found on the Internet to be accurate, authoritative, factual, timely, or useful for patrons' purposes. Users should evaluate Internet resources just as they do any other electronic or print materials. If any patron believes information obtained via Library portals is inaccurate or offensive, the patron should contact the original producer or distributor of the information.
The Library does not select materials on the Internet and has no means or statutory authority to assure that only constitutionally protected material is available on the Internet. The authority to determine what is illegal content rests with the courts as defined in Wisconsin and federal statutes.
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 or guardian. Because parents or guardians may feel that information available through the Internet is not suitable for viewing by children in their care, supervision is advised.
Supervising Children's Use
A public Library, unlike schools, does not serve in loco parentis (in place of a parent). Librarians cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet. Lodi Woman's Club Public Library supports the right for each family to decide what is appropriate Internet use for their children. The responsibility for what minors read or view on the Internet rests with parents or guardians.
The following are recommended guidelines for parents and guardians to ensure that children have positive online experiences, whether at home or in the Library.
- Use the Internet as a family. Join your children in Internet exploration.
- Explore the wide range of available information and tell your children about sites you consider inappropriate for them.
- Encourage children to use sites recommended on the Library's homepage and counsel them to avoid sites you consider unsuitable.
- Provide guidelines for your children on the amount of time they spend online, just as for television viewing.
- Instruct children NEVER to give out personal information (name, address, password, telephone number, credit card number) online.
- Provide children with guidelines on acceptable use of electronic resources, including e-mail.
- Teach children to be good online consumers. As with print information, consider the sources, date, and accuracy of online information.
For more information on children and teens on the Internet, visit The Online Safety Project at www.safekids.com and www.safeteens.com.
Library Staff Assistance
Computer users are expected to have necessary skills to utilize the available software and Internet. The Library provides Internet mini-courses and other programs throughout the year and brief introductions to electronic resources. Library Staff will make information available to help parents and guardians in their efforts to exercise their rights and responsibilities regarding their own childrens' use of electronic resources.
While patrons are invited to access the Internet via the Library's wireless portal, the Library Staff is not able to provide technical assistance, and no guarantee can be made that patrons will be able to make a wireless connection.
Guidelines for Computer Use
The Library sets time limits so all patrons seeking access will have appropriate opportunity. The Library reserves the right to end an Internet session when time limits are exceeded.
- Computers are available only during open Library hours and can be scheduled one week in advance at the Library or by phone. If the person does not show up within ten (10) minutes of the reserved time, then any person can register for the remaining time.
- After reading the entire Policy on Electronic Resources, users will be required to sign a form acknowledging and accepting the provisions of the Policy.
- The parent or legal guardian must sign for anyone under 18 years of age.
- Children under 12 years of age will be required to have a parent or guardian or authorized teacher/supervisor present during his/her use of the Internet.
- Anyone with legal identification or valid Library card with fines less than $3.00 may sign up to use the computers.
- Users may sign up for a one-half (1/2) to one (1) hour weekly time slot.
- Only one person will be allowed at a computer with the following exceptions: Internet training, parental supervision, Library Staff assisting users with a project, and Library Staff's discretion per specific requests.
- Users are prohibited from access to chat rooms, news groups, or other online forums. E-mail may be accessed on Library computers.
- Personal software and personal CD-ROMs may not be used on Library computers and users may not save to the hard drives. Only Library software and Library CD-ROMs may be used on Library computers. Personal removable media, specifically word processing discs and USB memory devices, may be used on Library computers.
- The following rates are charged for 8½ x 11 size printouts:
Black & white 15¢ ($0.15) each
Color 75¢ ($0.75) each - Persons who use the computer assume responsibility for the software while using it. Software and personal belongings should not be left unattended. The Lodi Woman's Club Public Library will not be responsible for injuries or damages to possessions of individuals or groups resulting from the use of the computer.
Guidelines for Wireless Internet Use
Due to insurance limitations and warranties, Library Staff is not allowed to configure patron laptop computers or other devices or to install any devices or software onto patron equipment. Library Staff is not able to provide technical assistance for wireless configuration; if assistance is required, patrons should contact their equipment manufacturer or vendor.
The Library's wireless network is not secure, and the Library cannot guarantee the safety of traffic across its wireless network. Anti-virus, security and privacy protection is the responsibility of the user.
The Library cannot guarantee the wireless service will be available at any specific time or that the connection will have any specific quality or speed, and there is no guarantee that a patron will be able to make a wireless connection.
The connection shall not be used for illegal or capacity-hogging purposes, nor shall it be used in any way that violates the Library's Policy on Electronic Resources.
The Library assumes no responsibility for any alterations or interference with equipment's configuration, operation, or data files resulting from connection to the Library's wireless network. The Library assumes no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to property brought into or used at the Library.
Legal and Acceptable Uses
Library computers may be used only for legal purposes. Users of all ages must abide by the following restrictions. Unacceptable uses include but are not limited to the following:
- Transmitting of threatening or harassing materials;
- Libeling, slandering or maliciously offending other users;
- Not respecting the privacy of others by misrepresenting oneself as another user;
- Attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others;
- Attempting to crash, degrade performance or to gain unauthorized access to the Library computer systems and networks;
- Modifying or damaging equipment, software or data belonging to the Library or other users.
Exposing children to harmful materials. Sec. 948.11 of the Wisconsin Statutes, among other things, makes it a crime to expose children to pictures or images of nudity, sexually explicit conduct, or physical torture or brutality that appeal to the prurient, shameful or morbid interest of children, are patently offensive to prevailing adult standards regarding materials suitable for children, or lack serious literary, artistic, political, scientific or educational value for children.
The above restrictions also apply when using the Library's wireless portal, in e-mail, and in other electronic forums accessed through the Library system.
If an individual or group of Internet users creates a disturbance that limits the effective use of the Library by others, they will be asked to correct their behavior, disband, and/or leave the building as appropriate.
Violations may result in the loss of Internet or Library privileges. Individuals may become eligible to use the Library equipment again at the discretion of the Library Director. Costs for repairs to Library equipment caused by malicious or deliberate damage will be the responsibility of the user. Library Staff will discuss the Policy with the adult or parent/legal guardian of a child and request that a new registration form be signed. Illegal uses of computers also may be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.
Copyright
U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 US Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted material, except as permitted by the principles of fair use. Users may not copy or distribute electronic materials, including electronic mail, text, images, programs or data without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. Any responsibility for the consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user. The Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use. The Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility arising from access to or use of information through its electronic information systems, or any consequences thereof.
Reevaluation of Public Access Computer Policy
This policy will be reviewed and amended, if needed, on at least an annual basis.