Uniontown Public Library Public Access Internet Policy

Please read the following rules. Signing your library card or our "Internet Use Agreement" signifies your acceptance of the terms of this policy.

The Library is committed to the promotion of lifelong learning. As a part of that commitment, the Library will provide free public access to the diverse and unique resources available on the Internet. In accordance with the Library's selection policy, the Internet may not be used for accessing material that is not in the realm of information normally provided by the Library.

The Internet is a vast worldwide network with very few limitations or restrictions. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information. The Library is not responsible for the content of any information obtained on the Internet. Use is at the patron's own risk.

For the benefit of everyone, please follow the Library's rules for the use of the Internet.

Among the uses that are considered unacceptable and which constitute a violation of this policy are the following:

1. Uses that violate the law or encourage others to violate the law.

a. Transmitting of offensive or harassing messages; offering for sale or use any substance the possession or use of which is prohibited by law;

b. Viewing, transmitting or downloading pornographic materials or materials that encourage others to violate the law;

NOTE:
It is a felony offense in the state of Pennsylvania "to display or cause to display any explicit sexual material…on any…viewing screen in such manner that the display is visible…in any establishment where minors, as part of the general public, may be exposed to view all or any part of such materials." (Title 18 Penna. Crime Code - Sect. 5903). Therefore, viewing of such materials in the Library will not be permitted. Violation of this provision may result in the immediate termination of Internet privileges.

Act 197 Child Internet Protection Act

Declaration of policy.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) The Commonwealth has a compelling interest and duty to protect children from exposure to obscenity, child pornography and other material that is harmful to minors.
(2) The Commonwealth has a compelling interest in preventing any user from accessing obscene material and child pornography within a public school or public library setting.
(3) There is a need to balance the goal of providing free access to educationally suitable information sources on the Internet against the compelling need and duty to protect children from contact with sexual predators and from access to obscene material, child pornography and material harmful to children.

"Child pornography." As described in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6312 (relating to sexual abuse of children). The Department of Education of the Commonwealth.
"Harmful to minors." As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5903 (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances). "Internet." the International THE INTERNATIONAL network of computer systems.
"Obscene." As defined for purposes of "obscene materials" in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5903 (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances).

c. Downloading or transmitting confidential, trade secret information, or copyrighted materials. Even if materials on the networks are not marked with the copyright symbol, users should assume that all materials are protected unless there is explicit permission on the materials to use them.

2. Uses that cause harm to others or damage to their property.

a. Engaging in defamation (harming another's reputation by lies);

b. Uploading a worm, virus, "Trojan horse," "time bomb" or other harmful form of programming or vandalism;

c. Participating in "hacking" activities or any form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems.

3. Uses that jeopardize the security of access of the computer network or other networks on the Internet.

a. Attempting to bypass network or computer security;

b. Disclosing or sharing the user's password with others;

c. Impersonating another user;

d. Using one's own software programs on the Library's computers;

e. Altering the Library's computers

-Damaging or modifying computer equipment;
-Adding, deleting, or modifying software, files or configuration.

4. Uses that compromise the safety and security of minors when using e-mail, and other forms of electronic communications:

a. Minors under age 17:

-Giving others private information about one's self or others, including credit card numbers and social security numbers;
-Arranging a face-to-face meeting with someone one has "met" on the computer network or Internet without a parent's permission.

5. Uses that Violate Confidentiality of Information:

a. Section 428 of the Pennsylvania Library Code prohibits unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal information regarding Library users, including minors. Personally identifiable information about users may not be disclosed or used in any way, except to law enforcement authorities as provided in the law.

6. The use of chat rooms, instant messaging and other forms of direct electronic communications.

1. You must have a current library card at this Library.

2. You must show your library card and sign at the main circulation desk.

3. In fairness to all our patrons, the Library has set time limits on the use of the Internet. We allow one hour of Internet usage, on a first come first serve basis. Additional time, up to a maximum of 1.5 hours per day, may be granted at the discretion of the Staff member on duty. The Library uses an Internet café software which allows the user to login and out and which monitors the allotted daily time.

4. If you wish to download or save files, you may only do so to a diskette. If you do so, remember the following:

a. Capacity on a 3.5 inch floppy disk is 1.4 MB, so your files combined size is limited to this amount.

b. You must purchase a disk from the Circulation Desk for $1. If you wish to use it again, you must leave it at the Front Desk. The disk may not leave the Library as you are not permitted to bring diskettes from the outside the Library and load them on the Library’s computers.

5. Security of the information you provide over the Internet is not guaranteed. So the Library recommends that you do not place personal information, addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers, etc. on the Internet.

6. Only one user at any Internet station at any time, who is held responsible for all activity.

7. Only Library Staff may turn the computer on or off.

8. Be polite. Use appropriate language online. Loud conversations and other disruptive behavior are prohibited.

9. Internet sessions, including all printing, must be completed 15 minutes before the library closes.

10. Children under the age of 18 may use (or observe the use of) the Internet independently after a parental consent form has been signed in the presence of a Library Staff member. Parents must sign the consent form in person at the Library and show identification.

11. Parents or guardians, not the Library or its Staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents/Guardians ONLY may restrict their children, (and ONLY THEIR children), from access to the Internet resources accessible through the Library. Parents are advised to supervise their children's Internet sessions.

12. Printing is 15¢ per page. Color printing is 20¢ per page.

The Library, either by itself or in combination with its Internet access provider, has installed filtering software (Parental Filter 0.22 and/or Net Nanny) or other technologies on Library computers used by patrons that have Internet access, and will enforce the operation of same during any use of those computers, to prevent minors from accessing visual depictions that are (1) obscene, (2) child pornography, or (3) harmful to minors.

The term "harmful to minors" is defined by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC Section 254 [h][7]), as meaning any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

Filtering is not foolproof. It diminishes the likelihood that searchers will inadvertently retrieve text or images that they may find offensive, but does not eliminate that possibility. Filters often block access to sites that users would consider both inoffensive and useful.

If you do not find what you need, please do not hesitate to ask a librarian for help. Technology protection measures may be disabled by a Library Staff member, as necessary, for bona fide research or other lawful purposes by people aged 18 and older.

1. Using the Library's E-mail address for personal use is not permitted. The Library does not make E-mail accounts available to Patrons. Patrons are only permitted to use free web-based E-mail when using the library's computers.

2. Librarians are available for a limited amount of assistance in using the Internet. Since the Staff must assist other patrons as well, they cannot spend large amounts of time guiding patrons through the Internet. The Library Staff cannot provide in-depth training concerning Internet computer jargon or personal computer use. The librarian may be able to offer searching suggestions.

3. Use of the Internet at the Library is a privilege, not a right. Any violation of the Library's Internet policy is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Violations of these rules may result in being banned from using the Internet and /or other penalties including appropriate legal action.

While the Library endeavors to provide access to information of the highest quality, the Library specifically disclaims any warrant as to the information's accuracy, timeliness, authoritativeness, usefulness or fitness for a particular purpose.

The Library will have no liability for direct, indirect or consequential damages related to the use of information accessed through the Library's Internet service.

The Library, having installed and enforced the operation of filtering, will have no liability for damages related to the operation of, or failure of, the filtering software, or for its circumvention by users.

Since software and information downloaded from any sources, including the Internet, may contain computer viruses, users are advised to utilize virus checking software on their home computers.  The Library is not responsible for damage to users' disks or computers or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from use of the Library's computers.

This policy is subject to change at the Library's discretion.

Updated By The Uniontown Public Library Board in January of 2005