Public Internet Access
General Policy
The Silver Falls Library District (“the Library”) recognizes the importance of the Internet as a resource for world-wide access to ideas and information. The Library is committed to making this resource available to all adult patrons, and to young adults and children with appropriate parent/guardian involvement.
Services Supported
The Library offers full access to World Wide Web (WWW) resources. Due to time and technical limitations we do not support IRC (“Chat Lines”), individual e-mail accounts, bulletin boards, or games (although these may be accessible).
Library staff will provide assistance with the basics of Internet browsing, printing, and downloading but, because of Library staffing and scheduling constraints, cannot provide in-depth training in the use of Internet resources or other computer applications.
No Censorship of Information Screening
The Library recognizes that the Internet provides access to a nearly limitless range of material provided by millions of users and that a small portion of this material is objectionable to some adults and inappropriate for children. We believe the benefits of access to information and ideas on this worldwide network far outweigh the risks that patrons may view files they find objectionable.
It is the policy of the Library not to censor or otherwise restrict Internet resources. It is the responsibility of the individual adult user to select or not select materials. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to allow or not allow access by their children and to provide direct supervision if they so desire. Parents are encouraged to work closely with their children to select Internet files which are consistent with their values and boundaries.
Although Library staff are not responsible for supervising data accessed on the public Internet terminals, these terminals are located in easily observable areas of the Library, and staff will respond with discretion to concerns expressed by other users regarding materials viewed which they find inappropriate in a public setting or when intervention is needed to maintain usual standards of safe and orderly conduct.
User Responsibilities:
4. The user is financially responsible for any damage resulting from misuse or abuse of Internet computers.
Consumer Beware!
Although the Internet offers many valuable sources of information, not all sites are accurate, complete, or current. The Library accepts no responsibility for any problems or damages which may be caused by reliance on information received via the Internet. Users must be discriminating consumers of information and always question the validity of information found via the Internet. The Library accepts no responsibility for any problems or damages which may be caused to a user’s personal computer by downloaded files. We strongly recommend that users conduct a virus check on all downloaded files.
Approved by Silver Falls Library Board of Directors, June 13, 2006
The Silver Falls Library District (“the Library”) recognizes the importance of the Internet as a resource for world-wide access to ideas and information. The Library is committed to making this resource available to all adult patrons, and to young adults and children with appropriate parent/guardian involvement.
Services Supported
The Library offers full access to World Wide Web (WWW) resources. Due to time and technical limitations we do not support IRC (“Chat Lines”), individual e-mail accounts, bulletin boards, or games (although these may be accessible).
Library staff will provide assistance with the basics of Internet browsing, printing, and downloading but, because of Library staffing and scheduling constraints, cannot provide in-depth training in the use of Internet resources or other computer applications.
No Censorship of Information Screening
The Library recognizes that the Internet provides access to a nearly limitless range of material provided by millions of users and that a small portion of this material is objectionable to some adults and inappropriate for children. We believe the benefits of access to information and ideas on this worldwide network far outweigh the risks that patrons may view files they find objectionable.
It is the policy of the Library not to censor or otherwise restrict Internet resources. It is the responsibility of the individual adult user to select or not select materials. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to allow or not allow access by their children and to provide direct supervision if they so desire. Parents are encouraged to work closely with their children to select Internet files which are consistent with their values and boundaries.
Although Library staff are not responsible for supervising data accessed on the public Internet terminals, these terminals are located in easily observable areas of the Library, and staff will respond with discretion to concerns expressed by other users regarding materials viewed which they find inappropriate in a public setting or when intervention is needed to maintain usual standards of safe and orderly conduct.
User Responsibilities:
- Users will be charged for copies they have created via Library printers at the rates established by the Library Board.
- Use of personal software is not allowed on Library Internet computers. “Hacking,” exploring, or modifying the system files of Library computers is also prohibited, as is changing the configuration or setup of the software or hard disk drives.
- The following behavior is deemed unacceptable and may result in the loss of Internet privileges:
- Use of Internet access for purposes which violate U.S., state or local laws.
- Disruption of network users, services, or equipment. Disruptions include distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer viruses, and using the network to make unauthorized access to any other machine via the network.
- Making unauthorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data.
- Use of the computer which threatens or causes damage to the computer.
4. The user is financially responsible for any damage resulting from misuse or abuse of Internet computers.
Consumer Beware!
Although the Internet offers many valuable sources of information, not all sites are accurate, complete, or current. The Library accepts no responsibility for any problems or damages which may be caused by reliance on information received via the Internet. Users must be discriminating consumers of information and always question the validity of information found via the Internet. The Library accepts no responsibility for any problems or damages which may be caused to a user’s personal computer by downloaded files. We strongly recommend that users conduct a virus check on all downloaded files.
Approved by Silver Falls Library Board of Directors, June 13, 2006
