Acceptable Use Policy

MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

Access to the Internet is available to all users of the Madison Public library on PCs located in both the Adult Services and Children’s Services Departments.  This service is made available in recognition of the library’s role as a community educational and informational center.  The Internet allows Library users to access information beyond the confines of the collection located in the Library.

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, with respect to the quality or content of the information available on the Internet.  Not all the information available via the Internet is accurate, current or complete.  Users are encouraged to be good information consumers by evaluating the validity of information accessed via the Internet.

Access to the Internet is compatible with the Library’s endorsement of the ALA Library Bill of Rights; Freedom to Read Statement; Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks Statement; the Freedom to View Statement and the New Jersey Library Association’s Public Access to the Internet - Basic Library Service Policy along with the policies of the Madison Public Library which are available at the Information Desk.

CHILD SAFETY ON THE INTERNET

Filtering software is activated at all times on computers in the Children’s Services Department.  Full Internet access will be offered on PCs in other locations.  The library affirms the right and responsibility of parents or guardians to guide, determine, and monitor their children’s use of the Internet.  Children who use the Internet unsupervised may be exposed to inappropriate or disturbing information and images.  Parents and children are encouraged to read Child Safety on the Information Highway  published by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and available in the Library. They may also take the NetSmartz Workshop® sponsored by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at http://www.netsmartz.org/.   

What is NetSmartz?

The NetSmartz Workshop® is a fun, interactive, educational safety resource that teaches children and teens how to stay safer on the Internet. NetSmartz combines the newest technologies available and the most current information to create high-impact educational activities that are well received by even the most tech-savvy kids. Parents, guardians, educators, and law enforcement also have access to additional resources for learning and teaching about the dangers children may face online. NetSmartz was created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children®(NCMEC) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).

Parents/guardians who do not wish children to use personal computers or similar devices at the Library may notify the Library of this decision by filling out a form that will be made available at the Circulation Desk.  Children whose parent/guardian will not permit their use of Internet facilities will not be allowed to do so.  Library personnel will not be permitted to waive this parental/guardian requirement unless the person who made the request comes to the library and rescinds in writing their prior request.

The Library will use its best efforts to ensure that requirements of parents/guardians to prohibit Internet usage are enforced; however, the Library assumes no responsibility for any damages resulting from unauthorized usage.

USER RESPONSIBILITIES

Before accessing the Internet, users must sign in with the library staff.

All users of the Internet are expected to use these resources in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided and to follow these rules and regulations.

Responsible, ethical use of such resources includes the following:

Using resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only; not for unauthorized, illegal or improper purposes.

Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; by not introducing viruses; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.

Further respecting the privacy of others using public access workstations at the Madison Public Library by not interfering with their use.

            Making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or other information.

Not sending, receiving or displaying, text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene.

Library staff is available to assist a patron in his/her use of these resources; however, each user is responsible for his or her own search.  Time permitting, staff will try to answer specific questions about the Internet and offer suggestions for effective searching.  Staff can also provide information about Internet training opportunities and Internet books and manuals.

Use of the Library’s public PCs is free; however, there is a nominal charge for printing and other materials supplied by the Madison Public Library.

The Library is not responsible for damage to a patron’s disk or computer or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from use of the Library’s computers.

The Library reserves the right to set time limits on the use of any of this equipment.

No more than two people will be allowed to use a PC at a time.  Library staff members may use their discretion in allowing more than two people on a PC.

Any adult using a PC in the Children’s Services Department must be accompanied by a child.

All discs must be scanned for viruses before they are used on a library PC.

The following Internet capabilities are not supported: Electronic mail, Usenet newsgroups, Internet Relay Chat, Telnet, and File Transfer Protocol.

COMPLIANCE WITH LIBRARY POLICY AND GUIDELINES

The Library reserves the right to terminate a PC session that disrupts library services or that involves patron behavior that violates this Acceptable Use Policy, and/or the Library’s Code of Conduct which is posted in the entrance lobby.  Violation of the policies and regulations that govern the use of the Library’s PC, Internet or other resources may result in suspension or loss of privilege to use these resources.  Illegal activity involving the Library’s computer or Internet resources will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities; by use of the Library’s computer or Internet resources, the patron agrees to allow all files and related information on the computer to be used by law enforcement personnel in the prosecution of a crime.

Portions of the policy are courtesy of Princeton (N.J.) Public Library, Appleton (Wis.) Public Library, Public Library of Des Moines (Iowa), Clifton Public Library, and Newark Public Library.

The Madison Public Library reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.  Use of a Library Internet computer constitutes acceptance of the current version of the policy.

                                                            Approved by Library Board of Trustees

                                                            March 12, 1998

                                                            Revised - June 8, 2000