C.C. MELLOR MEMORIAL LIBRARY INTERNET USE POLICY

Purpose

In response to advances in technology and the changing information needs of the communities that it serves, the C. C. Mellor Memorial Library strives to develop collections, resources, and services that meet the cultural, informational, educational and recreational needs of our diverse community. It is within this context that the library offers access to the Internet.

Policy Regarding Access to Internet Resources

The Internet is a global communications network and information resource. As a result the information on the Internet is as varied as its many users. The C. C. Mellor Memorial Library does not monitor and has no control over the information available through this resource. The library cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy, quality, or timeliness of Internet information. Some information on the Internet may be considered controversial in nature. The determination of viability and usefulness of Internet information falls upon the patron.

Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users' activities on the Internet. The C. C. Mellor Memorial Library however will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation of the library.

The C. C. Mellor Memorial Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of its computing resources.

Internet resources through the Library are provided equally to all users regardless of age. The library upholds and affirms the right of each individual to access constitutionally protected material. A minor's access to the Internet, as well as access to all other materials, is the sole responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. The library strongly encourages parents or legal guardians to supervise their children's Internet use and to provide them with guidelines about acceptable use. It is the responsibility of parents and/or guardians to instruct their children not to give private information about themselves or others, when using Web sites, in e-mail, or during chat sessions. The Library does not have the right or responsibility to determine the appropriateness of a particular resource for any minor. However, in no event is any person under the age of 18 permitted to view any obscene and other sexual materials and performances as defined and described in 18 Pa. C. S. 5903 and any amendments thereto.

 The library has selected sites to link to its home pages in accordance with its materials selection policies. Beyond this the library is not responsible for any content found on the Internet outside the Library's home page, for changes in the content of the sources to which the Library home pages link, or the content of sources accessed by the user through secondary links.

CIPA Compliance

The Children's Internet Protection Ace (CIPA) is a federal law that requires all computers in a public library to be filtered if that library accepts any federal funds for Internet access or computers used for Internet access. [Supreme Court decision: United States v. American Library Ass'n. Inc., No. 02-361 (June 23, 2003)] C. C. Mellor Memorial Library complies with the requirements of CIPA.

All computers in the C. C. Mellor Memorial Library are filtered. Please be aware that filters are unreliable, at times blocking sites of legitimate informational or educational value, or allowing access to sites that are illegal, obscene, or sexually explicit within the meaning of 18 Pa. Cons. Sec 5903.

C. C. Mellor Memorial Library uses filtering software that blocks or filters Internet access to some Internet sites that may not be consistent with the policy of C. C. Mellor Memorial Library.

Parents or legal guardians, and not the library or its staff, are responsible for monitoring their children's use of the Internet and for the information selected and/or accessed by their children. The library strongly encourages parents or legal guardians to supervise their children's Internet use and to provide them with guidelines about acceptable use.

C. C. Mellor Memorial Library's computers cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purposes, including any activities prohibited under any applicable federal, Pennsylvania, or local laws, including activities in violation of 18 Pa Cons. Stat. Sec. 5903, which prohibits certain acts of public indecency.

Any adult (17 years of age or older) may request that the filter or technology protection measure be disabled without significant delay by a C. C. Mellor Memorial Library staff member authorized by the library director, consistent with the privacy policy of C. C. Mellor Memorial Library.

The C. C. Mellor Memorial Library cannot be responsible for any patron's unauthorized use of a computer with a disabled filter.

Any patron wishing to file a complaint about the filtering software on the library computers may do so within thirty (30) days to: 
         1. The library director and/or the library board president. 
         2. The director of the Electronic Information Network (eiNetwork).
         3. The Federal Communications Commission.

Computer Use Guidelines

 In an effort to ensure that the use of the Internet is consistent with the mission of the C. C. Mellor Memorial Library the following shall apply:

•  Users must present a valid library card. Guest cards are available.

• Use of the computers is free to the public.

• Printing is $.15 per page for black and white and $.50 for color. The printing fee is still charged even if you provide your own paper.

•  Computer use is limited to ½ hour if there are people waiting for the computer; otherwise there is no time limit. Reservations may be made if all computers are in use.

•  Parents must accompany children under the age of six when using the computers. · Patrons may bring disks in from the outside. The library sells disks for $1.00.

• The library is not responsible for damage to disks, for any loss of data, or damage or liability that may occur from a patron's use of the library's computers.

•  Internet use will be managed in a manner consistent with the Library's policy on acceptable use. The Internet workstation must be used in a responsible manner, respecting the rights of other users. Users may not make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software. Computer and Internet settings may not be changed. Users may not use the network to make unauthorized entry into other computational, informational or communication services or resources. Users may not invade the privacy of others or engage in any activity that is harassing or defamatory.

• The C. C. Mellor Memorial Library is committed to providing an environment free from sexual harassment. Adults may be advised that while accessing and viewing sexual materials is within the law for an adult, the risk of exposure to minors and the consequences of being "harmful to minors" are significant. When children are in the proximity or even if another adult is expressly offended, the patron viewing such materials may be asked to close a website. Users may not display on screens and/or printers materials that may be unlawful or prohibited under any applicable federal, Pennsylvania, or local laws. The library staff will be the sole arbiter of what constitutes unacceptable content. The library staff reserves the right to end an Internet session at any time it is creating a disturbance.

• Material on the Internet and the World Wide Web maybe copyrighted. It is the user's responsibility to be aware of the display of any notices concerning the copyright of information on the Web and to respect the copyright laws of the United States.

Compliance with Library Policy Guidelines

Violation of the policies and regulations that govern the use of the Library's Internet resources may result in suspension or loss of the privilege to use these resources.

Any illegal activity involving the Library's Internet resources or equipment will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities.

The Library reserves the right to take appropriate action to ensure compliance with this policy.

This policy may be revised from time to time.

 Approved by the C. C. Mellor Memorial Library Board of Trustees September 23, 2004.

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