Salida Regional Library: Internet Policy and Procedures

Introduction
The Internet is a powerful tool and as such requires thoughtful use. Compare a hammer, with which you might bang your thumb, to a nail gun, with which you can put a nail through your hand. The nail gun requires more preparation, more adjustment, and more careful use. The same is true in your use of the Internet. The Internet is unregulated, unfiltered, and uncensored. Although you won’t put a nail through your hand with the Internet, you might stumble upon something that for whatever reason spoils your day. The library can provide guidance so that if you use Internet resources in your research, you will find your way to good quality sites and information.

Disclaimer
The Salida Regional Library has no control over information accessed through the Internet. Internet access is offered to complement the library’s other resources. All Internet use is made at the user’s risk. The library can not guarantee the accuracy of any information on the Internet.
The Internet is global and unregulated, perhaps to a degree beyond the experiences of many people. If one finds such freedom intimidating, then unguided use of the Internet is not recommended. The library staff can offer guidance in searching the Internet to reduce the chance of an unpleasant surprise.

Internet Use
The library’s Internet access is provided to users free of charge for the purposes of research and information retrieval. The library has a variety of tools to assist users in effective use of the Internet resources, and it purchases access to a variety of good quality Internet databases. Users are warned to be critical of all information they find but especially of information discovered outside the domains of controlled directories and databases. Anyone can say anything on the Internet. It’s a wonderful world, but we counsel caution.
While access to the Internet is unrestricted, use of the Internet in the library is restricted (See Unacceptable Use below). For example, display of sexually explicit images is expressly forbidden. The library permits users to access their e-mail accounts and conduct personal business, such as online shopping and investing, at their own risk.
Patrons may use their own computers to access the Internet through the library’s wireless network or through an Ethernet port provided by the library. Users are subject to the same rules as users of the library computers.
We ask that users turn off the sound while using their personal computers in the library.
Patrons who use their own computers are solely responsible for the consequences of their use. The library merely provides access to the Internet and is not responsible for any loss or damage that may result to a user’s computer or files as a result of that use.
The library’s wireless network is not secure unless you are connected to a secure, encrypted website. Guard your personal information.

Internet and children
The library is concerned about children’s use of the Internet but also about parents’ rights and responsibilities to monitor their own children’s activities. Because the library’s Internet access is unfiltered, it is clear the library can do nothing about any single instance of access to inappropriate material. However, the library staff also monitors use of the computers in several ways to maintain vigilance against a trend of inappropriate use by adults and minors alike. Violators of the acceptable use policy will be asked to leave and may lose their privileges altogether at the discretion of the director. As of the date of this amended policy, the library has had very few problems of this nature.
The library is also concerned that children choose to behave responsibly. Toward that end, they require education and guidance. The library’s web page will offer direction for children and students in finding reliable, good quality web sites and information. The library will offer occasional classes on Internet use for patrons of all ages.
The library staff monitors a shared, public space. Minors, as well as adults, are expected to behave in a civil manner in the library. Display of sexually explicit images or otherwise offensive material on the public computers is not only prohibited, it is rude. Rude behavior will not be tolerated, and a rude person of any age will be asked to leave the library.

Unacceptable Use
Unacceptable use of the Internet access at the Salida Regional Library includes, but is not limited to, the following. The library specifically prohibits:
* Display of sexually explicit images on the monitors.
* Illegal activities via library access, including access of obscene materials and online gambling.
* Violation of copyright via library access.
* Any attempts to violate network security at any level.
* Use of user’s own software or external files on library computers,
except as permitted at the specified computers.

Unacceptable use of the library’s computers and Internet access may result in loss of library privileges and/or criminal prosecution or other legal action. Information about illegal activity observed by staff may be made available to the police according to the provisions of C.R.S. 24-90-119.
Permission for more than one user to work at a computer may be granted solely at the discretion of library staff.

Procedures
All users must sign in at the main desk. Users are limited to 30 minutes if people are waiting and will be asked to relinquish their stations on a first-on-first-off basis as needed.
Word processing is permitted on the Internet stations. The software provided may change over time but as of the date of this policy include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office, and OpenOffice.
To save or access documents on personal disks, please check with library staff.
Printing is done at a network printer at the main desk. Printing cost is 10 cents per page, and users are responsible for every page that comes across in their print jobs. Please exercise caution. If you don’t know how to limit the number of pages in your documents, ask for help.
*************

	Internet Policy and Procedures
Internet Policy and Procedures Adopted 11/14/00 Amended 1/27/2004, 2/24/2004, 11/30/2004 by the Salida Regional Library Board of Trustees Introduction The Internet is a powerful tool and as such requires thoughtful use. Compare a hammer, with which you might bang your thumb, to a nail gun, with which you can put a nail through your hand. The nail gun requires more preparation, more adjustment, and more careful use. The same is true in your use of the Internet. The Internet is unregulated, unfiltered, and uncensored. Although you won’t put a nail through your hand with the Internet, you might stumble upon something that for whatever reason spoils your day. The library can provide guidance so that if you use Internet resources in your research, you will find your way to good quality sites and information. Disclaimer The Salida Regional Library has no control over information accessed through the Internet. Internet access is offered to complement the library’s other resources. All Internet use is made at the user’s risk. The library can not guarantee the accuracy of any information on the Internet. The Internet is global and unregulated, perhaps to a degree beyond the experiences of many people. If one finds such freedom intimidating, then unguided use of the Internet is not recommended. The library staff can offer guidance in searching the Internet to reduce the chance of an unpleasant surprise. Internet Use The library’s Internet access is provided to users free of charge for the purposes of research and information retrieval. The library has a variety of tools to assist users in effective use of the Internet resources, and it purchases access to a variety of good quality Internet databases. Users are warned to be critical of all information they find but especially of information discovered outside the domains of controlled directories and databases. Anyone can say anything on the Internet. It’s a wonderful world, but we counsel caution. While access to the Internet is unrestricted, use of the Internet in the library is restricted (See Unacceptable Use below). For example, display of sexually explicit images is expressly forbidden. The library permits users to access their e-mail accounts and conduct personal business, such as online shopping and investing, at their own risk. Patrons may use their own computers to access the Internet through the library’s wireless network or through an Ethernet port provided by the library. Users are subject to the same rules as users of the library computers. We ask that users turn off the sound while using their personal computers in the library. Patrons who use their own computers are solely responsible for the consequences of their use. The library merely provides access to the Internet and is not responsible for any loss or damage that may result to a user’s computer or files as a result of that use. The library’s wireless network is not secure unless you are connected to a secure, encrypted website. Guard your personal information. Internet and children The library is concerned about children’s use of the Internet but also about parents’ rights and responsibilities to monitor their own children’s activities. Because the library’s Internet access is unfiltered, it is clear the library can do nothing about any single instance of access to inappropriate material. However, the library staff also monitors use of the computers in several ways to maintain vigilance against a trend of inappropriate use by adults and minors alike. Violators of the acceptable use policy will be asked to leave and may lose their privileges altogether at the discretion of the director. As of the date of this amended policy, the library has had very few problems of this nature. The library is also concerned that children choose to behave responsibly. Toward that end, they require education and guidance. The library’s web page will offer direction for children and students in finding reliable, good quality web sites and information. The library will offer occasional classes on Internet use for patrons of all ages. The library staff monitors a shared, public space. Minors, as well as adults, are expected to behave in a civil manner in the library. Display of sexually explicit images or otherwise offensive material on the public computers is not only prohibited, it is rude. Rude behavior will not be tolerated, and a rude person of any age will be asked to leave the library. Unacceptable Use Unacceptable use of the Internet access at the Salida Regional Library includes, but is not limited to, the following. The library specifically prohibits: * Display of sexually explicit images on the monitors. * Illegal activities via library access, including access of obscene materials and online gambling. * Violation of copyright via library access. * Any attempts to violate network security at any level. * Use of user’s own software or external files on library computers, except as permitted at the specified computers. Unacceptable use of the library’s computers and Internet access may result in loss of library privileges and/or criminal prosecution or other legal action. Information about illegal activity observed by staff may be made available to the police according to the provisions of C.R.S. 24-90-119. Permission for more than one user to work at a computer may be granted solely at the discretion of library staff. Procedures All users must sign in at the main desk. Users are limited to 30 minutes if people are waiting and will be asked to relinquish their stations on a first-on-first-off basis as needed. Word processing is permitted on the Internet stations. The software provided may change over time but as of the date of this policy include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office, and OpenOffice. To save or access documents on personal disks, please check with library staff. Printing is done at a network printer at the main desk. Printing cost is 10 cents per page, and users are responsible for every page that comes across in their print jobs. Please exercise caution. If you don’t know how to limit the number of pages in your documents, ask for help. *************