Columbia County Public Library

Public Internet Policy

Internet Access and the Library’s Mission

The Columbia County Public Library offers access to the Internet and World Wide Web as a part of the information services provided in fulfillment of its mission.  The Internet is an essential medium for obtaining information on a wide variety of subjects.  Public access to the Internet is essential in fulfilling the library’s mission to help members of the community meet their need for information.

The resources available on the Internet enhance the library’s collection of books, periodicals and recorded media.  The Internet, however, is unregulated and information on it may be reliable and current or it may be erroneous, out-of-date, illegal, offensive, biased or controversial.  The Columbia County Public Library cannot know what is on the Internet nor does it wish to monitor the content. The Library will identify on its web site specific Internet sites that have potential interest for Library users, but the Library cannot control a user’s access to all Internet resources.

 The Library complies with applicable state and federal laws regarding Internet use in public libraries in prohibiting the display of materials harmful to minors. The Library will install filtering software in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and other applicable state and federal laws restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to minors when such software is available and technically feasible and may block access to chat rooms, FTP and unauthorized downloading.  Parents or legal guardians, however, have the primary responsibility to supervise their children’s use of the Internet. As with all resource materials, Internet users are encouraged to use judgment and discretion in their use of this medium.

Internet Use in Reference Service

As a part of the library’s reference service, staff may use the resources of the Internet to respond to user requests for information. Time and staffing restraints may not permit an immediate Internet search.   In these situations staff may conduct a search when time permits.  Every reasonable effort will be made to provide a response within 24 hours.

Procedures for Public Internet Use

Established procedures for Internet use are on file at the Information Desk at each library location.

1.     Library staff will assist patrons with basic start-up procedures as time permits, but cannot provide

          individualized instruction on computer use.  Interested persons may be referred to books about

          the Internet in the library's collection, to local classes, or to other resources for instruction.  Dial-in

          access and individual Internet accounts are not available.

2.     To use public Internet stations, each person must register following established procedures.  Individual

          use of the Internet station will be on a first-come, first-served basis and may be limited.  Length and

          frequency of sessions shall be established in accordance with community need, approved by the

          Library Director or designee, and posted in the area of Internet use.

3.     Library patrons who owe $10 or more in library fines and/or fees will need to pay $2.00 per day,

          Monday-Saturday, towards their fines and/or fees and $1.00 per day on Sundays in order to be

          able to use a public Internet station.

4.     Any Internet stations with filtering software will be clearly marked.  Internet users under age 18 will be

          restricted to stations with filtering software in place.

5.     Workstations are generally restricted to one user at a time except in extenuating circumstances when prior

          arrangements have been made with the Library employee responsible for managing public Internet stations.

6.     Children ten years and older may use the Internet workstations independently.  However, children younger

          than ten years must be accompanied at the workstation by a parent or guardian.

7.     Personal computer disks or personal software may not be used at Internet workstations.  Reasonable

          printing is available but downloading of files is not permitted.  Printing shall be done only in accordance

          with established procedures.

8.     Designated staff may restrict Internet activity as needed to upgrade, repair or otherwise maintain the technical

          integrity of the network and to promote ease of access for as many users as possible.

Unacceptable Uses of Computers

                Among the uses that are considered unacceptable and which constitute a violation of this policy are the following:

•  Uses that violate the law or encourage others to violate the law.  Transmitting harassing messages; offering the sale or 

               use of any substance the possession or use of which is prohibited by law; viewing, transmitting or downloading pornographic

               materials or materials that encourage others to violate the law; violating licensing agreements; downloading or transmitting

               confidential, trade secret, or copyrighted material.  All materials should be considered protected by copyright unless

               permission to use them is expressly stated.

• Uses that cause harm to others or damage to their property.  Engaging in defamation (harming another's reputation by

               lies); uploading a worm, virus, "Trojan horse," "time bomb" or other harmful programming or vandalism; participating in

               "hacking" activities or any form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems.

• Uses that jeopardize the security of access of the computer network or toher networks on the Internet.  Disclosing or 

               sharing the user's password with others; impersonating another user; using one's own software programs on the Library's

               computers; altering the Library's computer settings; damaging or modifying computer equipment or software.

• Uses that compromise the safety and security of minors when using e-mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct

               electronic communications.  Giving others private information (including credit card numbers or social security numbers)

               about one's self or others or arranging a face-to-face meeting with someone one has "met" on the Internet without

               parental permission or otherwise compromising the safety and security of those under age 18. 

Violations of this Policy

          The Columbia County Public Library Code of Conduct applies to persons using the Internet workstations.  If a library user disrupts normal library service while using the Internet workstation, the staff may end the session. 

          Violation of these policies will result in loss of use of Library Internet stations in accordance with established procedures.  Offenses that fall under the scope of the Library Code of Conduct will be handled accordingly.  Violations of law will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Disclaimers

            While the Library endeavors to provide access to information of the highest quality, the Library specifically disclaims any warrant as to the information’s accuracy, timeliness, authoritativeness, usefulness or fitness for a particular purpose.

            The Library will have no liability for direct, indirect or consequential damages related to the use of information accessed through the Library Internet service and is not responsible for loss of data or privacy.

            The Library, having installed and enforced the operation of filtering software in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and other federal and state laws regarding obscenity, child pornography and/or material harmful to minors, will have no liability for damages related to the operation of, or failure of, the filtering software, or for its circumvention by users.

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

Procedure for Administrative Appeal

          Any person or entity desiring to appeal the terms of this Public Internet Policy, the interpretation thereof, or its application to the individual or entity may do so by filing a written appeal directly to the Library Director.  The Library Director, after meeting with the appellant, only if the Library Director in his or her sole discretion believes a meeting will be beneficial to resolving the appeal, will give the appellant a written decision on the appeal within thirty (30) days.  The person or entity deemed to be aggrieved by the decision of the Library Director may then file a final written appeal to the County Coordinator or his designee who shall render a written decision with thirty (30) days from such appeal.  This decision shall be final subject only to judicial review which must be filed within thirty (30) days of such written decision by the County Coordinator or his designee.

Effective Date

     This policy supersedes any previous Internet policy and shall become effective June 1, 2009.

Approved by the Board of County Commissioners on 05/21/2009