INTERNET USAGE GUIDELINES

Welcome to the Scott County Public Library

Please take a moment to read our Internet Usage Guidelines.

• Computer workstations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to customers
   in good standing.

• Customers must sign-in and present their library card when signing up.

• There will be no advance reservations.  Places will not be held for absent customers.

• Use of Internet access is limited to two non-consecutive one hour sessions per day per customer. 

• Groups are limited to no more than two customers sharing a workstation.

• If you leave the workstation during your session, except to retrieve printouts from the 
  networked printer, the workstation will be considered available for the next customer.

• As time permits, library staff is available to provide some beginning 
  instruction on internet use, and to offer searching ideas. 

• Printing is ten cents per page for black and white singles, fifteen cents for black and white double-sided, fifty cents for color singles, and one dollar for color double-sided.

• Pre-formatted disks are available for sale at the information desk for $1.00 per disk.

• >Do not install your own software programs on the library's computers.
  >Do not run your own CD-ROM products.
  >Do not attempt to restart the computer or otherwise intervene with the normal operation
     of the computer equipment or software, including printers. If there is a problem with the
     workstations, please notify the library staff.
  >Do not add icons or change the desktop in anyway.  

• The Internet is not a secure environment.  Customers handling financial transactions or other 
  activities that require confidentiality do so at their own risk.

• Files downloaded from the internet may contain viruses.  Be sure to check your discs or thumbdrives
  before using them at home.

Thank you for reading and following our policies.

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Official Documentation of the Internet Policy 

Scott County Public Library

Board of Directors

Internet Policy and Acceptable Use Policy

The Internet is a global collection of computer networks that connects thousands of computers all over the world. Access to the Internet provides the user with vast amounts of information available through these connections. Use of the Internet shall be in accordance with the Library's mission statement to "provide current, high demand, high interest materials in various formats and perform a variety of services for community residents of all ages to help meet their personal, educational and professional needs". Though the Internet is perhaps the most advanced and broadest source of information, like all other library provided sources and services, its use is subject to Library policy and guidelines.

DISCLAIMER

While the Library offers suggestions to a wide range of useful, and interesting sites, all Internet sites are accessible through the Library's Internet provider. This allows access to ideas, information and commentary from around the globe and a vast array of tools and resources for different age levels and points-of-view, some of which may contain inaccurate, controversial and even offensive material. The Internet is an unregulated, ungoverned fluid source of information that is constantly changing. The Library does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy of information obtained through the Internet. Selection policies, which serve to govern the Library's purchase of materials, are not applicable for materials accessed electronically. The Library has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. We firmly believe that the valuable information and interactions available on this worldwide network far outweigh the possibility of access to materials not consistent with Library goals.

 ACCEPTABLE USE

All users of electronic information resources such as Internet are expected to use these resources in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational, informational and recreational purposes for which they are provided.

Responsible, ethical, use of Internet resources includes the following:

• Using resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only, not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical 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 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 by not interfering with their use.
• Saving information only to a diskette or printing it out according to the fee schedule posted.
• Downloading (bringing information and or programs from a remote computer's hard drive to a library computer's hard drive) is not permissible.
• Leaving the computer (screen and hard drive) exactly as you found it.
• Being sensitive to the fact that the Internet Access stations are in a public location subject to view by a wide audience.
• Not sending, receiving, or displaying, text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene, sexually explicit, or demeaning to any race, ethnic background, religion, disability, gender, or life style.

 WIRELESS

1.  All relevant library rules, regulations and policies apply to wireless use, including but not limited to, the SCPL Internet Access Policy.

2.  The library is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability or any external sites.

3.  Wireless connections are not secure.  Users should not transmit credit card information, passwords or any other sensitive personal or business information over the library's wireless network.  Anti-virus and security protection are the responsibility of the patron.

4.  The library is not responsible for any loss of data, theft, or damage to personal equipment or software.

5.  Library staff cannot provide technical assistance on using the library's wireless network.

6.  There is not guarantee that a wireless connection can be made or maintained.

7.  The library assumes no responsibility for any alterations or interference with a computing device's configurations, operation or data files resulting from connection to the wireless network.

8.  The library reserves the right to terminate a wireless Internet session at any time.

 ACCESS BY MINORS

In-Library access to the Internet is available to anyone in good standing with the library. Parents of minor children are responsible for overseeing their child's use of the Internet. Parents and children are encouraged to read the pamphlet "Child Safety on the Information Highway", jointly produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the interactive Services Association.  Link to Child Safety on the Information Highway (pdf)

 ASSISTANCE

Library staff will assist patrons with Internet use as time permits, but cannot offer personal instruction.

 TIME LIMITS

Internet use may be limited to prescribed lengths of time to provide greater access for all patrons.

VIOLATION OF GUIDELINES

Misuse or abuse of this computer or Internet access may result in suspension of Internet access privileges. Persons using this equipment agree not to make any changes to the setup or configuration of the software or hardware. Violations of the letter and / or spirit of these guidelines may result in the suspension of Internet privileges. Violations of laws governing Internet use may result in criminal prosecution.

2008 Internet Policy
Scott County Public Library
Board of Directors