Purpose
The Oconee Regional Library Board of Trustees supports the idea that all members of the community have free and equal access to the entire range of library resources regardless of content, approach, format or amount of detail. These rights extend to all users of the public library. The computers offered by the Library System are intended to integrate electronic resources from information networks around the world with the Library System's other resources and, by doing so, enable the Library System to provide information beyond the boundaries of its own collection.
Guidelines for Use
Public computers are intended for education, information and recreational purposes.
Computers shall not be used for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, to access child pornography or materials "harmful to minors" as currently defined by law, or to access materials which by local community standards would be obscene.
Users shall respect the privacy of other users and shall refrain from attempting to view or read material being used by others, as well as to censor or comment on what others are viewing.
Transmitting and/or receiving obscene materials and/or child pornography is a violation of the law and is not permitted under any circumstances. Violation of this rule will subject a patron to criminal prosecution and result in immediate and permanent loss of library computer privileges.
Users shall sign up in person to use a computer on a "next available station" basis. Stations may not be "reserved" for other persons and will not be held for persons who are not in the immediate vicinity when their name is called. Telephone reservations will not be taken.
Computer sessions shall be limited to 30 minutes, unless no one is waiting for a computer.
Users must end their session and leave the station when asked to do so by authorized Library staff.
Upon completion of a computer session, depending upon demand for stations, a user may be required to wait 30 minutes before signing up for another session or may be limited to a certain number of time slots per day.
Due to limited space, a maximum of two people are allowed at each computer.
Patrons may not use their own software programs on any public station.
The number of computer sessions available per day, per user, may be established by the Librarian in charge. Such limitations will be dependent on facility-specific demand in order to provide access for the majority of users.
During the Library's last hour of operation, users needing computer access for educational purposes shall have priority over users needing computers for recreational purposes.
Prompt payment is required by users who incur charges for printing or other authorized fees.
The Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act, O.C.G.A.
16-9-90, establishes certain acts involving computer fraud or abuse as crimes punishable by fines or imprisonment or both.
Misuse of library computers will result in the loss of computer privileges, potential loss of library privileges and possible prosecution. Such misuse includes, but is not limited to, using the computer for illegal activities; hacking into any computer system; damaging or attempting to damage computer equipment or software; interfering with systems operations, integrity or security; gaining unauthorized access to another computer network or files; sending harassing messages; altering or attempting to alter the library's computer settings; and violating copyright laws and/or software licensing agreements.
Responsibility of Library regarding the Internet
At present, the Internet is an unregulated and rapidly changing medium. It contains a wealth of diverse material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages. It also contains materials that may be offensive, controversial, disturbing, illegal, harmful to minors, inaccurate or incomplete. In compliance with CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) the Library System provides filtered access to the Internet. With the exception of such filtering, the library does not monitor, control or restrict anyone's access to equipment or to the range of information available within the limits of State and/or Federal law. The Library System does not have direct control over information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. Provision of Internet access by the Library System does not constitute an endorsement of any particular information contained on the Internet. The Library System, moreover, shall have no liability for direct, indirect or consequential damages related to the use of information accessed on the Internet from Library equipment. Library patrons use the Internet at their own risk. Users, therefore, are encouraged to evaluate the validity of information obtained from the Internet.
Responsibility of Patrons and Parents of Minors
Individuals must accept responsibility for determining what is or is not appropriate. The Library System upholds and affirms the right and responsibility of parents and legal guardians to determine and monitor their minor children's access to inappropriate matter. Parents and legal guardians must also be responsible for: the safety and security of minors when using email, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications; unauthorized access, including "hacking" and other unlawful activities by minors online; unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information concerning minors; measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials "harmful to minors." A parent or legal guardian shall be present in the library at all times to supervise their child(ren) under the age of 14 years during the use of Internet accessible computers. Parents and legal guardians who wish to limit or restrict the access of their children must personally oversee their children's use of the Internet and other forms of electronic information. Parents and guardians are encouraged to work closely with their children in the library particularly on the Internet. Parents and guardians are expected to monitor and supervise their children's use of computers in selecting material that is consistent with personal and family values and is appropriate for the age and understanding of their children. The Library System does not and cannot provide this monitoring or supervision. Parents and guardians are encouraged to read "Librarian's Guide to Cyberspace for Parents & Kids," available at www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/children.cfm. Minors who visit the library without a parent or guardian will be responsible for their own decisions and behavior and may be denied computer access.
Computer Users are Reminded that:
1. Users are financially responsible for charges that they incur from their computer use.
2. Public library computer stations are neither private nor secure.
3. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information.
4. Users should exercise extreme caution about revealing any personal identification information over the Internet. Minors should NEVER disclose any personal identification information over the Internet.
5. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for monitoring their minor children's access to the Internet on the Library System's computers.
6. The best and safest policy regarding email from a person unknown to you or from an unfamiliar email address is to delete it before opening or reading it.
7. Patrons are reminded that computer screens are visible by children and appropriate local, state and federal laws concerning the display of materials harmful to minors will be strictly enforced.
Termination or Prohibition of Access
Violations of this policy may result in the loss of computer privileges. Unless otherwise provided, a patron will receive a warning for a first offense; a second offense will result in a temporary loss of Internet access privileges for a period of two weeks; a third offense will result in a permanent loss of Internet access privileges.
Library employees are authorized to terminate any user's access session, or to prohibit a user from subsequent access sessions for up to two weeks from the date of informing the user of that action, given cause to believe that the user has failed to comply with this policy.
Right to Appeal
A computer user whose access has been terminated or prohibited shall have the right to appeal and/or request that computer privileges be reinstated. An appeal must be in writing and submitted to the Library Director within five days of the termination or prohibition. Within ten days of receipt of the appeal, the Library Director shall review the matter and notify the patron in writing of his/her decision. If the Library Director's decision is adverse to the patron, he/she may appeal in writing within five days to the Regional Library Board of Trustees, which shall thereafter consider the matter and issue its decision in writing within 30 days of receipt. No further appeals shall be considered. Temporary or permanent denial of computer privileges will be effective at all Oconee Regional Library System facilities.
Definitions:
"Minor" is a person under 18 years of age pursuant to O.C.G.A. 16-12-102(3).
"Harmful to minors" is defined per Georgia law, O.G.C.A. 16-12-102.
"Inappropriate matter" for minors is material that is obscene as defined under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 16-12-80); child pornography is defined under federal and state law (18 U.S.C. 2256; O.C.G.A. 16-12-100); and material that is "harmful to minors" as defined in Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 16-12-102).
REGISTRATION FOR COMPUTER USE
I agree that I will use the Library computers for educational, informational and/or recreational purposes only. I have read, I understand, and I will abide by the Computer Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that any violation of law while using the computers may subject me to criminal prosecution. I further understand that if I violate any rule, my computer privileges may be revoked and/or appropriate legal action taken.
________________________________________ ________________________
Print name of user (Last, First Middle) Age of user if a minor (under 18)
________________________________________ ________________________
Signature of user Date
________________________________________
PINES Library Card Number
If a user is under the age of 18 years, the parent or legal guardian must read and sign this Agreement.
As the parent or legal guardian of the minor child, I have read the Computer Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that this access is for educational, informational and recreational purposes only. I recognize and agree that it is impossible for the Oconee Regional Library System to restrict access to controversial and/or inappropriate materials on Library computers and I agree that the Library is not responsible in any way for any such materials acquired or viewed by my child. I hereby accept full responsibility for supervising my child(ren) during his/her/their use of Library computers.
________________________________________ _______________________
Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Date
________________________________________
PINES Library Card Number
Witnessed by:
________________________________________ ________________________
Staff Member Date
