Putnam County Library System
Internet Access Policy
The Putnam County Library System recognizes
that access to the Internet is an important resource for gathering information
by our users. The System makes Internet access terminals available to our users
because that access is consistent with our mission, roles and goals. Consistent
with the Library Bill of Rights, this board believes that access to information
should be unfettered by artificial barriers. They further believe that common
sense and practicality should govern the use of resources so that all users may
benefit from hat use. To accomplish this, the board adopts the following to
guide use of or Internet access by public users.
- Use of library Internet access terminals must be consistent with the mission, roles and goals of the Library system.
- The Internet is a global electronic network with no governmental control of its users or content. Library staff cannot control the availability of information links which often change rapidly and unpredictably. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Users need to carefully evaluate information.
- The number of terminals which are available to access the Internet are limited. Users must sign up for the Internet terminals. Sessions will be limited to ½ hour. Additional sessions will be available if no one is waiting to use the terminals.
- The Library System cannot guarantee availability of the Internet. Terminals may not be available due to maintenance, hardware, software, networks or telecommunications problems. At the request of Library System staff, users must terminate their sessions immediately.
- The Internet and its available resources may contain material of a controversial nature. The Library System cannot monitor access to material nor protect users from offensive information. Parents of minor children must assume responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet through the Library System’s connection.
- Users have had long standing rights to both confidentiality and privacy in library transactions. The Library System upholds these rights by policy, procedure, and practice. Transactions of an electronic nature are no different and full under these protections. Users should be aware, however, that because security is technically difficult to achieve and users work often occurs where there is greater possibility for public discovery, absolute privacy and confidentiality are difficult to ensure.
- Use of library Internet access terminals to display or disseminate sexually explicit or sexually suggestive materials for patently prurient interests is outside the mission, roles, and goals of the Library System and is prohibited.
Approved by the Library Board 2.15.99 & Board of County Commissioners 3/10/99