Library Internet Access Policy

Introduction
The mission of the New Bedford Free Public Library is to provide materials and services to help people obtain information to meet their personal, educational, and professional needs, placing particular emphasis on youth, reference, and technological services, and to serve as a repository of local recorded history and art. To enhance the fulfillment of this mission the Library is providing access to the World Wide Web (or www) as part of a broad range of information resources. The World Wide Web is a component of the Internet. The Internet, sometimes referred to as the "Information Super Highway", is a global collection of computer networks capable of communicating with each other to provide information and resources to users around the world.

The New Bedford Free Public Library endorses the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association (ALA), and ALA's "Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.", consistent with all applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Disclaimer

The New Bedford Free Public Library only provides access to the Internet. The Library cannot control and is not able to monitor any information on the Internet for either content or accuracy. The individual user is the ultimate judge of the appropriateness, usefulness and value of all material accessed via the Internet. In the case of minors, this responsibility rests with their parents or legal guardian. In no case does the display of any material on the Library's Internet workstations constitute an endorsement by the Library of the material's content and point of view. The New Bedford Board of Library Trustees, the library staff, and the City of New Bedford are not liable for any negative consequences that may occur as a result of using the Library's Internet connection.

Scope

This policy applies to all use of public access workstations located at any of the facilities of the New Bedford Free Public Library. Internet access through the SAILS Library Network, whether on computers located at the New Bedford Free Public Library or through remote access, is also covered by a separate SAILS Internet Use Policy.

(See www.sailsinc.org/internetuse.asp)

Confidentiality

Patrons make use of the Library's public access workstations at their own risk. The library will make every effort to provide for the privacy of users with respect to public terminals and protect the confidentiality of records.

Minor's Use of the Internet

Consistent with registering for a library card to establish borrowing privileges, a person under the age of 18 who wishes to use the Library's public Internet workstations is required to submit a registration form signed by his/her parent or guardian. Parents are strongly encouraged to be involved with their children's use of this equipment.
Level of Assistance

Users are encouraged to learn about the www and the Internet by checking out material the Library has on the subject. Staff can assist with basic questions. One-on-one training sessions can be scheduled subject to the staff's availability.
Guidelines for Use

It is expressly prohibited to use library equipment to:
1. access material that is obscene, child pornography, or "harmful to minors", consistent with any applicable federal, state, or local law.
2. threaten, libel and harass others, including sexual harassment
3. alter, destroy or damage equipment, software or data
4. disrupt or participate in the unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications
5 make unauthorized copies of copyright-protected material
6 participate in the unauthorized use of computer accounts, using access codes and/or network identification assigned to others.
7. use computer communications facilities in ways that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others
8. tamper with the computer system security
9. intentionally violate software license agreements
10. intentionally. violate network use policies.
11. access online chat.
The Library Board of Trustees is the final authority in determining appropriate use. Intentional violations of the New Bedford Free Public Library World Wide Web (www) - Internet-Public Access Policy will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner, which may include a written warning for 1st time offenders and the loss of privileges for one year for 2nd time offenders. Illegal acts involving the Library 's computing resources may be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities. This policy and agreement form are subject to review and change, as deemed necessary by the trustees.

Workstations and Schedule

Public access is permitted only at workstations identified by appropriate signage, and during announced periods of availability.
Responsibility of Staff

Library employees are responsible for implementing the Internet use guidelines stated above. Staff is expected to take prompt and appropriate action to enforce the guidelines and is authorized to terminate any session by anyone who fails to comply.

9/13/1996
revised 9/21/2001
revised 6/ 25/2002

A. A completed User's Agreement Form is required along with either a valid SAILS Library Network card or 1 form of identification. Staff will photocopy the identification and attach it to the completed form. In accordance with Massachusetts state law, all library records are confidential.
B. A person under the age of 18 who wishes to use the Library's public www workstations must submit a registration form signed by his/her parent or guardian. Parents are encouraged to be involved with their children's use of this equipment.
C. Reservations:
1 You may reserve one 60?minute block of Internet time per day.
2 Reservations will be held for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, a computer will then become available for walk?in use.
3 Advance telephone reservations are accepted.
4 Workstations may be used on a first?come?first served basis if they are not currently in use.
5. Whenever possible, visitors to the City of New Bedford, who wish to access email or conduct other business online, will have access to computers for a maximum of 30 minutes. Visitors are also required to complete this form and provide 1 form of identification as described above.
D. Training and equipment:
1. Users are encouraged to learn about the Internet by checking out material the New Bedford Public Library has on the subject. Staff can only assist you with basic questions.
2. Printing of information is available for a nominal fee for each page printed. For more information, please speak to the library staff.
E. Accuracy and appropriateness of information:
1. The New Bedford Public Library provides access only to the Internet. The library cannot control and is not able to monitor any information for either content or accuracy. The individual user is the ultimate judge of the appropriateness, usefulness and value of all material. In the case of minors, this responsibility rests with their parents or legal guardian.
2. In no case does the display of any material on the library's equipment workstations constitute an endorsement by the New Bedford Free Public Library of the material's content and point of view.
3. The New Bedford Free Public Library Board of Trustees, the library staff, and the City of New Bedford are not liable for any negative consequences that may occur as a result of using the library's Internet connection.
F. Rules - It is expressly prohibited to use library equipment to:
1.access material that is obscene, child pornography, or "harmful to minors", consistent with any applicable federal, state, or local law.
2. threaten, libel and harass others, including sexual harassment
3. alter, destroy or damage equipment, software or data
4. disrupt or participate in the unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications
5. make unauthorized copies of copyright-protected material
6. participate in the unauthorized use of computer accounts, using access codes and/or network identification assigned to others.
7. use computer communications facilities in ways that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others
8. tamper with the computer system security
9. intentionally violate software license agreements
10.intentionally violate network usage policies.
11.access online chat.
The Board of Library Trustees is the final authority in determining inappropriate use. Intentional violations of the New Bedford Free Public Library WORLD WIDE WEB (http://www) - INTERNET - PUBLIC ACCESS POLICY will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner, which may include a written warning for the first offence and the loss of privileges for one year for a second offence. Illegal acts involving the library's computing resources may be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.
By signing this agreement form, I agree to abide by its terms.
USER NAME (printed) _______________________________________library card #________________ USER or PARENT SIGNATURE (patrons under 18 years of age) : ____________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________________ STAFF ___________________________________________ DATE______________________________

You are encouraged to request and read the library's
WORLD WIDE WEB (http://www) - INTERNET - PUBLIC ACCESS POLICY.
9/13/1996
revised 9/21/2001
revised 6/ 25/2002