North Kingstown Free Library
Electronic Resources and Public Internet Access Policy

In response to advances in technology and the changing nature of information delivery, the North Kingstown Free Library is pleased to offer public access to the Internet on computer workstations in the library.

Use of a library computer workstation shall constitute agreement by the user to:

1. Use the computers and the Web sites they visit in a responsible manner.
2. Respect the sensibilities of others.
3. Abide by the decision of Library staff regarding use of all equipment.
4. Use the Internet only for authorized, legal, or ethical purposes
5. Follow existing copyright rules, software license restrictions, and Internet regulations
6. Agree not to make any changes to the setup or configuration of the hardware or software

Public User Security and Responsibilities

The Internet is a global electronic network that contains a wide variety of resources representing many points of view.  Though the Internet provides users with a great deal of excellent information, it also contains information that may be inaccurate, outdated, or personally offensive.  In addition, the North Kingstown Free Library does not select the material on the Internet nor can it control the content of resources available on the Internet.  Internet users must accept responsibility for determining the value of the information they find.

Users are warned that the Internet is not a secure medium.  Security in an electronic environment cannot be fully guaranteed.   All files, transactions, and communications are vulnerable to third party access and therefore should be considered public.

Child Safety on the Internet

The Library staff cannot be responsible for an individual's Internet activity.  Parents and guardians are responsible for their children's use of the Internet.  Therefore, children under the age of 14 must receive parental permission to access the Internet at the library.  Parent's/Guardians of any child under the age of 14 must come into the Library to sign a Parental Permission Agreement.

Filtering and CIPA compliance

In accordance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the North Kingstown Free Library applies filtering software to all computer workstations.  At any time, computer users aged 17 and older who wish to visit a site that has been blocked by the filter may ask a library staff member to unblock that site.

The North Kingstown Free Library reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.

Approved by the Board of Trustees January 12, 2004

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