Internet Use Policy

In order to use the Internet Access computers available to the public at the Boaz Public Library you must agree to the following guidelines:

Responsibility of Users

Use of the internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of this privilege.  All users of electronic information resources such as the internet are expected to use these items in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided and to follow these policies and regulations.

The library and various legal statues expressly forbid use of the Internet for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes.  Internet computers will not be used by anyone, including minors, for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, or to access any materials that by local community standards would be obscene (See Alabama State Code Article 5 13A-8-102).  Users should not at any time enter sites that advertise, solicit or encourage the viewing of pornographic material, obscene messages and/or material that would be considered an adult subject which should be viewed in a private setting.

Sources on the internet may not always provide complete, accurate, or current information.  As with any other material provided at the library, the user is responsible for judging the validity of the information.

Library employees can assist patrons with internet use as time permits.  The level of personal computer use and internet experience will vary from person to person.  Because of library scheduling, there may not be an internet/computer trained librarian on duty at all times.  Staff may assist a patron, but cannot provide in-depth training.

Procedure for Internet Use

First Visit:  Persons wishing to use the internet access computers must first provide proper ID and sign an Internet Use Registration Form.  The signature on this form is legally binding and indicates that the party has read the terms and conditions of the Boaz Public Library Internet Use Policy and understands their significance.

Recurring Visits:  All users must sign in at the front desk to be issued a username and password.  This will log you onto the computer for the time you specify.

Time

Use of the Internet Workstations is limited to sessions of ½ hour, 1 hour, and 2 hours with a total limit of two (2) hours per day.

Users

Any patron, regardless of age, may use the computer to access the library’s word processing software.

• Patrons fifteen (15) and under must have the signature of the parent/legal guardian on file for authorization to use the internet.  The legal guardian must come to the library in person with proper ID to read the Internet Policy and sign for their child.  After the first visit by the parent/legal guardian, the child may use the internet any time they come into the library without supervision.
• Patrons twelve (12) and under must be accompanied by an adult when wishing to use the internet.  The adult must sit with their child at the computer terminal while they are using the computer.  The adult may not use an adjacent terminal while their child is accessing the internet.

In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the library subscribes to a filtering service, which is found on all workstations throughout the library.  The use of filtering technology is an important component of the library’s efforts to limit minors’ access and exposure to inappropriate, harmful, and illegal matter on the internet.  This filtering service prevents access to pornographic or obscene materials available on the internet, but you should be aware that no filtering service is completely effective.

The Library upholds and affirms the right and responsibility of parents to determine and monitor their children’s use of all library materials and resources.  Library users, whether children or adults, are the final selectors in using the internet and are responsible for their individual choices and decisions.

Guidelines for Accessing the Internet

• Users will respect the privacy of others using the Internet access terminal by not interfering with their use.
• By mutual agreement, two persons may share one computer terminal as long as their behavior or conversation does not disturb other users or library staff.
• Users must end their session and leave the terminal when asked to do so by authorized library staff, even if they have not completed their session.
• Users may save or download information to a disk, CD or zip drive.  Diskettes may be purchased at the front desk for .50 cents each.  CD’s may be purchased for $1.00 each.  Please be aware that library staff may not be available to help with downloading or saving information.
• Users are prohibited from accessing chat rooms or discussion groups.
• Users will not make any attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted files or networks, or to damage or modify computer equipment or software.
• Users will respect copyright laws and licensing agreements.
• The Boaz Public Library is not responsible for any damage which may occur as a result from the use of our systems.  This includes but is not limited to loss of data from delays or service interruptions due to mechanical failures.

Printing Costs

The library charges a fee of .25 cents per page for printing.  Please be aware of the number of times you hit the print button as you will need to pay for all pages printed during your session.

Computer Use Termination

Misuse of the computer, of established guidelines and/or internet use policies will result in the loss of a patron’s computer privileges.

When a library employee observes that a user has failed to comply with the Library Internet Use Policy, they are authorized to terminate that users access session or to prohibit that user from future sessions.

Illegal acts involving Library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.