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Hours:
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Last Updated: 7/28/04

Internet and Computer Use Policy

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

The Internet is a global communication network and information resource with the information provided as varied as its many users.  The Library cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy, quality or timeliness of Internet information.  The Internet may contain information of a controversial or offensive nature.

Lauri Ann West Memorial Library computers shall not be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, 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.

Lauri Ann West Memorial Library complies with the requirements of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).  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 Association, Inc., No. 02-361 (June 23, 2003)]

All computers in the Lauri Ann West Memorial Library are filtered but 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. Stat. Sec 5903.

The Lauri Ann West 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.  As such, when children are in proximity or even if another adult is expressly offended, the patron viewing such materials may be asked to close a website.  The Library staff will be an arbiter of what constitutes unacceptable content and reserves the right to end an Internet session at any time if it is creating a disturbance.

Parents or legal guardians 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.

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

Many businesses offer the opportunity to buy merchandise by credit card on the Internet.  The Lauri Ann West Memorial Library shall not be party to any purchases of services or merchandise made over the Internet and shall not be liable for any costs or damages arising out of such a transaction.  Any purchases that a child makes, with or without a parent or guardian's knowledge, will be the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian.

While Library staff will assist users in accessing the Internet, users are nevertheless responsible for their own searches.

Internet privileges will be revoked if you:

• Display materials that could be construed as obscene or offensive
• Use the connection for purposes that would break any local, state, or federal law
• Damage, misuse, reprogram, or tamper with the Library's computer equipment or software
• Enter a chat room
• Use personal software programs without express authorization from the Library staff
• Print without paying for copies
• Act in a way that the Library deems inappropriate

The Library reserves the right to enforce Internet policies, to designate computers for specific purposes, to set time limits and to require registration.

Users who knowingly disregard Library policies may be denied use of Library computers, asked to leave the building, or reported to appropriate law enforcement.

Approved by Board of Trustees, [June, 2004]

CIPA Compliance

1. The Children's Internet Protection Act (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 Association, Inc., No. 02-361 (June 23, 2003)] Lauri Ann West Memorial Library complies with the requirements of CIPA.

2. All computers in the Lauri Ann West 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. Stat. Sec 5903.

3.   Lauri Ann West Memorial Library uses filtering software that blocks or filters Internet access to some Internet sites that may not be consistent with the policy of Lauri Ann West Memorial Library.

4. Parents or legal guardians 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.

5. Lauri Ann West Memorial Library computers cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, 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.

6. Any adult  (17 years of age or older, as defined by CIPA) may request that the filter or technology protection measure be disabled without significant delay by a Lauri Ann West Memorial Library staff member authorized by the Library Director, consistent with the privacy policy of Lauri Ann West Memorial Library.

7. An authorized Lauri Ann West Memorial Library staff member may override the filter or technology protection measure for a minor (age 16 years or younger, as defined by CIPA) in the event that the filter wrongly blocks or filters Internet access to a site with legitimate informational value.

8. Lauri Ann West Memorial Library cannot be responsible for any patron’s unauthorized use of a computer with a disabled filter.

9. Complaint Procedure

Any patron who wishes 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; 

3. The Federal Communications Commission.

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