Internet Acceptable Use

(revised June 2008)

1. Purpose and Disclaimer
   1. The New Glarus Public Library provides access to a broad range of information resources, including those available through the Internet.  The library makes these services available as part of its mission to fulfill individual informational needs for day-to-day living, cultural, educational, and leisure pursuits.
   2. The Internet offers access to ideas, information, and commentary from around the world that can be personally, professionally, and culturally enriching.  However, not all resources on the Internet are accurate, complete, or up-to-date.  The New Glarus Public Library assumes responsibility only for the information provided on its home page.  The Library Board, Director, and staff do not monitor, have no control over, and do not accept responsibility for material in other sources on the Internet.
      
2. Responsibilities of Users
   1. In choosing and evaluating Internet sources, users should evaluate them just as they do print materials, questioning the accuracy and completeness of the information.
   2. Users must search the Internet at their own risk, realizing that beyond the library’s home page and supporting documents they may encounter material they find offensive.
   3. In supervising children’s use of the Internet, parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding what materials are appropriate for their children.  The New Glarus Public Library – unlike schools – does not serve in loco parentis.  Library staff cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet.
      
3. General Guidelines
   1. All users of the Internet must have a current library card in good standing (i.e., unresolved charges under the LINK suspension limit of $10.00).
   2. Users of the Internet are responsible for all copyright compliance in accordance with the U.S. Copyright law (Title 17 US Code).  All consequences of copyright infringement lie with the user.  New Glarus Public Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.
   3. Public Internet workstations are available only during regular library hours.
   4. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult care-taker in order to access the Internet.  A child under 12 will not be permitted to access the Internet alone.
   5. Youth between the ages of 12 to 18 must have parental permission to access the Internet at the New Glarus Public Library.  A parent or legal guardian must accompany a minor to the library, read the library’s Internet Acceptable Use Policy, and sign the Internet Acceptable Use Agreement Form before a minor will be granted Internet access.
   6. The New Glarus Public Library’s public Internet workstations use Library Online as their management software.
   7. In order to insure that all patrons have equal access to its public Internet workstations, the New Glarus Public Library has set a maximum of 90 minutes per day per patron.  Workstations cannot be reserved ahead of time.  If all workstations are being used, Library Staff will reserve the next available workstation for a patron who is waiting.  Any override of the 90-minute time limit must be justified by the patron and shall be made only at the discretion of the staff member on duty.
   8. Persons who use the library’s computers assume responsibility for the software during their use.  Files may not be saved to a library computer’s hard drive.  New Glarus Public Library assumes no responsibility for damages—direct or indirect—to a user’s data, disks, or files arising from the use of the library’s computers or the library’s Internet connection.
   9. Visitors and other non-residents are allowed access to the library’s computers after presenting identification to the library staff.  Acceptable identification includes a driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or a library card from outside SCLS.  No person who is still in the LINK system with fines / charges over the LINK suspension limit of $10.00 will be allowed access to the library’s Internet computers no matter where they currently reside.  Visitors with acceptable identification will be issued a temporary Internet pass.
      
4. Unacceptable Internet Use
   The public Internet workstations at the New Glarus Public Library may only be used 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
   • Misrepresenting oneself as another user
   • Attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others
   • Attempting to crash, degrade performance of, or gain unauthorized access to the library’s computer systems and networks
   • Modifying or damaging equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other users
   • Using another patron’s library card or misrepresenting oneself to another user.
   • 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 interests 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.

These restrictions also apply in e-mail environments accessed through library computers and to patrons who bring in their own laptops and access the Internet via wireless connections outside of the New Glarus Public Library.

The New Glarus Public Library reserves the right to terminate a patron’s Internet session if a staff member observes any behavior which he or she judges to be in conflict with any part of this policy, inappropriate for a library setting, or in other ways disruptive to library services.  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.
Violations may result in loss of Internet or library privileges.  Illegal use of the Library’s computers may also be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.

Adopted October 14, 1997;
Amended May 12, 1998;
Amended June 27, 2002;
Amended October 10, 2006;
Amended December 12, 2006;
Amended March 11, 2008;
Amended May 13, 2008
Amended June 9, 2008