CIPA

Sample Internet Use Policy 1

Mythical Public Library, Mythical, New Mexico
Internet and Computer Acceptable Use Policy

Created by Heather Gallegos-Rex of the New Mexico State Library.

Purpose Statement

The Mythical Public Library provides access to the Internet as one means of fulfilling its mission to "inform, educate, entertain, and culturally enrich by providing books and other Library resources, facilities and professional services for use by all individuals...." [Mission Statement, approved by the Advisory Board of Mythical Public Library on February 17, 1992]. All Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided equally to all users, with the understanding that it is the individual user's responsibility to demonstrate judgment, respect for others, and appropriate conduct while using Public Library resources and facilities.

Internet computers will not be used by anyone, including minors, for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, or to access materials that by local community standards would be obscene. Library employees are authorized to take prompt and appropriate actions to enforce the Rules of Conduct, and/or to prohibit use by persons who fail to comply with the Internet Acceptable Use Policy as stated or implied herein. Parents are responsible for their children's use of the Library's resources and facilities. Parents who believe that their children cannot responsibly use the Library's Internet access are requested to monitor their children's Internet use.

Rules of Conduct

1. Internet computers will not be used for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, or to access materials that by local community standards would be obscene.
2. Installation, downloading, or modification of software is prohibited.
3. Users will respect copyright laws and licensing agreements.
4. Users will not make any attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted files or networks, or to damage or modify computer equipment or software.
5. Prompt payment is required by users who incur charges for printing or other authorized fees.
6. Users must sign up to use the Internet on a next-available-terminal basis. Terminals will not be "reserved" for persons who are not in the immediate vicinity when their name is called, and telephone reservations will not be taken.
7. Access sessions will be limited to thirty minutes, unless otherwise authorized by the Librarian in Charge.
8. Users must end their session and leave the terminal when asked to do so by authorized Library staff, even if they have not completed their access session.
9. Upon completion of an Internet access session, a user may be required to wait 30 minutes before signing up for another session.
10. The Librarian in Charge may establish the number of access sessions available per day, per user; such limitations will be dependent on facility-specific demand in order to provide access for a variety of users.
11. Users will respect the privacy of other users, and will refrain from attempting to view or read material being used by others. The New Mexico Library Privacy Act prohibits unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal information regarding Library users, including minors.
12. By mutual agreement, two persons may share one access session as long as their behavior or conversation does not disturb other users or Library staff.

Optional Use of Filtered Search Engines

(Note: Include this paragraph if you intend to use filters.)

The Mythical Public Library supports the right and responsibility of parents to direct the use of the Internet by their own children, and provides access to filtered search engines on Internet terminals. Filtered search engines (which are not under the control of the Library) may restrict access to sites that could be deemed objectionable, but may also limit access to sites that have legitimate research value. No filtering system is completely effective or efficient. Access to filtered search engines has been provided, but Library staff will not require that children utilize filtered search engines for their research. Adults doing bona fide research may request that filters be disabled.

Termination or Prohibition of User Access

When Library employees believe that the user has failed to comply with the Internet Acceptable Use Policy and/or the Rules of Conduct, they 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. After a hearing before the Library's administrative authority, a Library patron may be permanently barred from Internet access from the Library.

Internet users whose access session has been terminated or prohibited will be given information concerning the process to protest the action and/or request that Internet access privileges be reinstated. Temporary or permanent denial of Internet privileges at any Mythical Public Library facility will be effective at all Mythical Public Library facilities.

If you need more information, Missouri school and library staff can contact MOREnet Technical Support at jeanne@more.net or (800) 509-6673.