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JEFFERSON COUNTY LIBRARY
PUBLIC SERVICES POLICY NO: PUB2-4
LIBRARY INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICYADOPTED:  April 22, 2002; REVISED: May 30, 2006; REVISED October 16, 2007 

The Jefferson County Library makes access to the Internet available to its patrons for informational, educational and recreational purposes.

In order for the Jefferson County Library to make Internet access available, all patrons must accept responsibility for the appropriate and legal use of this service.    Misuse of this library service may result in the loss of Internet privileges.

Adult patrons, age 18 and older, agree to abide by the computer use policies and guidelines of the Jefferson County Library when completing the library application card.  Library application cards must be signed in the presence of a library staff member.  Minors must have a parent or legal guardian’s signed permission to use Internet access at the library.

Because the supervision staff can provide is limited, the Library strongly recommends that children of all ages should be accompanied to the library by their parent, guardian, or designated adult card giver.

For their own safety and security a parent must sit with children 6 years old and younger at all times while the children are using the Library’s public computer workstations.  A parent must accompany children between the ages of 7 and 11 but does not need to sit with them while the children are using the Library’s public computer workstations so long as the parent is present and available in the library building and checks on the child regularly.  Children age 11 and older who are left on their own at the library should have with them a phone number where a parent may be reached at need.

The Jefferson County Library utilizes a technology protection device on all library computers to help prevent patrons and staff from intentional and unintentional access to visual depictions of 1) obscenity; 2) child pornography; or 3) material harmful to minors.  However, technology protection devices are not 100% effective in blocking inappropriate material.  Patrons must participate in responsible use of the Internet Service.  Users age 18 and over may request that a blocked site be unblocked for them. Only designated library staff may disable the technology protection device for users 18 and older doing bona fide research of for other lawful purpose.

The library’s Internet access may be used for e-mail, chat rooms and instant messaging.  Use of these or other electronic communications must abide by this and other library policies and applicable state and federal laws. 

This policy interprets minor to be any individual under the age of 18 years.

Unacceptable Use: 

1.      Any use that violates law or encourages others to violate legal statutes and codes.  For example: the transmission of offensive or harassing messages; offers for sale of any controlled substance; viewing, transmitting or downloading pornographic materials; or the transmitting of confidential or copyrighted information.

2.      Any use that causes harm or damage to other individuals, their property, or library property.  For example:  defamation of others; using another’s identifying information to mislead others; loading a worm, virus or other harmful forms of software; hacking or any other form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems.

3.      Any use that jeopardizes the security of an individual.  For example:  giving out personal information regarding a minor or another adult person, such as address, telephone number, or any other personal identifiable information; giving credit card, bank or social security information of another person; sharing confidential information of another person, arranging face-to-face meetings with strangers. 

Disclaimer: Jefferson County Library does not accept responsibility for any individual’s use of the Internet.  The Internet is a world wide electronic computer network with no single governing body controlling users or content. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information. Some Internet Web sites may provide information that users find offensive, objectionable or inappropriate. Jefferson County Library exercises no control over and assumes no responsibility for information or services that reside outside the Jefferson County Library computer network.