Internet Use Policy

Germantown Community Library Acceptable Internet Use Policy

The Internet is an evolving, yet powerful, tool that provides new ways of accessing information. Electronic technology has increased the speed and universality of the flow of information. Through the use of the Internet, people may be able to find information not readily available elsewhere and be able to participate in the electronic community. The same principle that has made libraries the repositories of the printed word are applied now as public libraries provide access to the Internet. Libraries will continue in their role to identify, collect, organize and provide access to this ever expanding body of knowledge and ideas.

In order to use one of the Internet access computers available at the Germantown Community Library you must agree to the following guidelines.

Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of this privilege. All users of electronic information resources such as the Internet are expected to use these items in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided and to follow these policies and regulations.

Responsible and ethical use of such resources includes the following:

	Using Internet resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only. These computers are not to be used for illegal, unauthorized or unethical purposes.
	Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.
	Respecting the privacy of others using the Internet access terminals at the Germantown Community Library by not interfering with their use.
	Making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data.

Examples of inappropriate use include, but are not limited to, the following:

	Violation of computer system integrity.
	Unauthorized tampering with computer hardware or software.
	Storage of data on anything other than a diskette purchased from the library.

Illegal acts involving Library computer resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.

Children under the age of eighteen (18) must have parental permission to use the Internet. The Germantown Community Library assumes no responsibility for the use of the Internet by children. The Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. It is not possible for library staff to control specific information children or young adults may locate on the Internet. Just as libraries do not espouse the viewpoints of written material in their collections, they do not do so for electronic information. Selection policies written to govern the library's purchase of print, audio or video materials may not apply to the resources accessed electronically. Therefore parents are expected to monitor and supervise their children's use of the Internet. Parents may wish to read the guidelines for Child Safety on the Information Highway (produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Interactive Services Association). A copy of these guidelines is available at the Circulation Desk.

Persons wishing to use the Internet access computers must sign an Internet Use Registration form. Parents must sign for children under 18 years of age. The signature on this form is legally binding and indicates the party has read the terms and conditions of the Germantown Community Library's Internet Acceptable Use Policy and understands their significance.

Library staff will assist patrons with Internet use as time permits, but may not be familiar with every application that a person might wish to use. Because of the many different Internet applications available, we cannot provide complete technical support.

Misuse or abuses of Internet access computers will result in the suspension of Internet access privileges. Persons using this equipment agree not to make any changes to the setup or configuration of the software or hardware. Library staff may impose restrictions on the use of Library equipment. While respecting individual users' right to privacy, Library staff reserves the right to monitor use of Internet workstations to ensure compliance with this policy. Staff may ask users to remove themselves from Library equipment if they observe any behavior that they judge to be in conflict with this policy. Misuse or abuse of Library computers or Internet access may result in the suspension of Library privileges.

Patrons will need to ask a staff member if they wish to save files. Diskettes are available for a minimal charge. You may NOT use your own diskettes. This is to minimize the potential for the introduction of a computer virus, which could then spread, to subsequent users of the computer. WARNING: Although we utilize virus-checking software, this is not a guarantee that you will be completely protected from viruses. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus and you will need virus-checking software on your computer. The Germantown Community Library is not responsible for damage to a patron's disk or computer, or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from a patron's use of the library's computers.

Use of the Internet access workstations is limited to one half hour per day.

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Last modified: May 26, 2004