Purpose | Disclaimer | Privacy | Acceptable Use | Rules of Conduct | Use of Filters | Termination of User Access | Definitions

Purpose

The Carrollton Public Library provides access to the Internet as one means of fulfilling its mission to "improve the quality of life in Carrollton by sustaining resources and services that inform, empower and inspire its citizens.” All Internet resources accessible to users in the library are provided to cardholders and guests with the understanding that it is the individual user's responsibility to demonstrate judgment, respect for others, and appropriate conduct while using public library resources and facilities. Internet computers will not be used by anyone, including minors, for illegal activity, to access illegal materials. Library employees are authorized to take prompt and appropriate actions to enforce the rules of conduct, and/or to prohibit use by individuals who fail to comply with the Internet safety policy as stated or implied herein.

Disclaimer

The Carrollton 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. The availability of information does not constitute endorsement of the content by the Carrollton Public Library. The Internet, as an information resource, enables the library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection. Library patrons 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 or guardian. The public library, unlike schools, does not serve in place of a parent. Librarians cannot act in the place of parents by supervising children as they explore the Internet. The responsibility for what minors read or view on the Internet rests with parents or guardians.

Privacy

The Carrollton Public Library seeks to protect the first amendment rights of its customers and their individual right to privacy. Absolute privacy for users at computers in the library is not guaranteed. Users are urged to respect the sensibilities of others when accessing information that may be offensive to someone else. There exists a possibility of inadvertent viewing by other patrons, either by watching the user's screen, or because a user may leave the screen unattended.

The "rules of conduct" apply to the behavior of patrons using computers. Failure to follow this policy could result in the loss of computer privileges and/or library privileges. 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 Carrollton 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 business operations.

Acceptable Use

1. Library Internet access computers may be used to access a variety of electronic communication resources including email that does not require additional software downloads. Although the library does not provide support for email accounts or web pages for users, Internet access computers may be used to access email and web page accounts available from a variety of sources. Note: Users, including minors, are warned that other individuals may obtain unauthorized access to personal information and/or may misrepresent themselves. Users, including minors, are advised not to share personal identification information to unknown or otherwise unverified sources via electronic communication.
2. Internet access computers may be used to access games that do not require downloading software.
3. The library’s Internet access 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 sties. Any fees are the responsibility of the user, not the library. In the case of minors, fees are the fiscal responsibility of the parent or guardian. In no event shall the Carrollton Public Library have any liability for lost profit or for any direct or indirect special, punitive or consequential damages, or any liability to any third party.
4. Not all information on the Internet is available to all users. Users may be unable to connect to other Internet sites for various reasons. The library cannot guarantee or provide access to restricted sites requiring passwords, fees, user accounts or special software.
5. Library employees provide basic introductory training concerning Internet or personal computer use as time permits but do not provide in-depth Internet assistance. Staff can locate books and other library resources dealing with computer-related topics and can provide referrals to area computer classes.

Rules of Conduct

1. Internet access will not be used for illegal activity, or to access illegal materials. 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. Access by minors to materials deemed "harmful to minors" is prohibited. Library administration reserves the right to determine based on community standards, materials considered to be "harmful to minors".
2. Downloading to the A (floppy) drive or a personal flash drive is permitted on Library computers.
3. Installation or modification of software is prohibited on Library computers.
4. Users will respect copyright laws and licensing agreements. Materials obtained or copied on the Internet may be subject to laws that govern reproduction of copyrighted works. A work protected by copyright may not be copied without permission of the copyright owner unless the proposed use falls within the definition of "fair use". Customers are responsible for compliance with all international, national and state laws governing copyrighted materials. (U.S. Copyright law Title 17, U.S. Code).
5. Users will not make any attempt to misuse the computers and internet access. Misuse includes, but is not limited to, using the computer for illegal activities; 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; altering or attempting to alter the library computer's settings; or violating copyright laws and software licensing agreements. Misuse of the computer or access may result in the loss of computer privileges, loss of library privileges and possible prosecution. Damages resulting from the misuse are the responsibility of the user or, in the case of minors, the parent or guardian.
6. The Carrollton Public Library requires that you have a library card to use the computers and to print. You are required to pay $.15/page for each sheet you wish to print. The print control software will store your print requests and wait until you go to the print release station and pay for the prints with a money card (available in the library). You may delete any requested print jobs at that time without paying for them. After you have paid for the prints and requested that they be printed, they will print immediately.
7. Library computers and Internet ports for personal laptops are available on a first-come first-served basis.
8. Computer sessions on library equipment are limited to a maximum of 1 hour in length with automatic 10 minute extensions if there is no one waiting in the queue (waiting line). Use is limited to 4 hours per day.
9. Computer users accessing the Internet with their own computers via the ports available in each library are expected to limit their time in a reasonable manner, and relinquish to others if conditions warrant. It is also important to conserve bandwidth during peak use hours; downloading streaming audio and video may bring the library patron computers to a standstill at certain times of the day. You may be requested to stop if circumstances warrant it.
10. Users will end their session and leave the computer if asked to do so by library staff, even if they have not completed their sessions.
11. Users will respect the privacy of other 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 warned that other individuals may obtain unauthorized access to personal information and/or may misrepresent themselves.
12. By mutual agreement, two or more persons may share one access session as long as their behavior and conversation does not disturb other users or library staff and they do not physically block or impede access within the library.

Use of Filters

The Carrollton Public Library employs a filter (Smart Computing/Smart Filter), 2 levels of filtering available as well as a no internet option. The Carrollton Public Library supports the right and responsibility of parents and guardians to direct the use of the Internet by their own children. Each parent or guardian when applying for a library card for his/her child has the choice—for his/her child—of (1) least restrictive Internet access, (2) more restrictive Internet access, or (3) no Internet access at computers within the library. These choices are imbedded within the child's library card and the card is required to access library computers. (Because the library catalog is accessed through the Internet, "no Internet" library cards will allow a user access only to Microsoft office software. Computers with "catalog only" signs are available for patrons with "no Internet" access and will allow use of the library catalog and library sponsored databases.)

The library uses Internet management software to examine and categorize web content. No filtering software is an absolute guard against objectionable content or a substitute for parental supervision. The filtering software may restrict access to sites that could be deemed objectionable, but may also limit access to sites that have legitimate research value. If you feel you must access a restricted site, report the URL to the reference staff. The library will look into the site to see if access is possible. The library cannot promise less than a 24 hour turn around time for access to a particular blocked web site.

Termination or Prohibition of User Access

When library employees observe that a user has failed to comply with the Internet Acceptable Use Policy, they are authorized to terminate that user's access session or to prohibit that user from future sessions for up to two weeks from the date of informing the user of that action. A meeting with the Library Director or designee will determine whether the customer’s access to Internet in the library will be reinstated or permanently denied. Temporary or permanent denial of Internet privileges at any Carrollton Public Library facility will be effective at all Carrollton Public Library facilities.

• First inappropriate behavior incident will result in termination of the session and formal warning. A note is placed in user's personal library account.
• Second inappropriate behavior incident will result in termination of the session and prohibition of access to library computers for two weeks. This incident will be noted in user's personal library account. The customer must make an appointment with the Library Director or designee to request a reinstatement of computer privileges. This meeting will determine whether access to the Internet in the library will be reinstated or permanently denied.

Definitions

• cardholder - citizen with an active Carrollton Public Library card
• guest - a non-resident or individual who is not eligible for an active Carrollton Public Library card but requests use temporarily during their visit
• adult - any individual 18 or over
• minor - any individual that has not yet reached the age of 18
• session - period or time spent at a library computer which begins when the user logs on the first time by entering library card number; allowed session is 1 hour in length
• staff - any library employee designated by library administration to perform the daily functions involved in the operation of the library