EXCERPT FROM FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY
Revised 6/2013 Adopted by FDL Board on 6/6/13
Appendix II: Internet Policy Statement
The Internet, a vast global electronic network, offers access to information of every kind. Using federal funding in the form of the Universal Service Discount available to public libraries and schools, the Flint Public Library provides this access as an extension of the Library's commitment to meeting the information needs of the citizens of Greater Flint. Use of the Internet is free and open to the public subject to the following conditions established by the Library Board and enforced by the Library Staff:
Internet Safety for Minors
As required by the Children's Internet Protection Act, in order to continue to qualify for the Universal Service Discount that makes Internet access affordable to the citizens of Greater Flint, the Flint Public Library has adopted this policy of Internet Safety for Minors. The Children's Internet Protection Act requires the Flint Public Library to adopt a policy that:
1. Includes the installation and operation of a technology protection measure on all computers having access to the Internet, that is designed to protect against access by minors through the Library's computers to visual depictions that are:
2. Addresses access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and the World Wide Web;
3. Addresses the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;
4. Addresses unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unlawful activities by minors online;
5. Addresses unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and
6. Addresses measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors.
To comply with these requirements, the Flint Public Library adopts the following policies:
Technology Protection Measure
The Library will maintain a technology protection measure (TPM) on all computers with Internet access. The TPM will consist of commercially available software for blocking and filtering interactions between a computer workstation and the Internet or Web. EXCERPT FROM FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY
Revised 6/2013 Adopted by FDL Board on 6/6/13
Certain Visual Depictions, Inappropriate Matter and Materials Harmful to Minors
Library staff will configure the TPM with filtering and blocking settings intended to protect minors against certain visual depictions as described in the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), to inappropriate matter on the Internet, and to materials harmful to minors.
Minors’ Use of E-mail, Chat and Other Forms of Direct Electronic Communications
Library staff will also configure the TPM with available settings and information intended to protect the safety and security of minors when using chat rooms, e-mail and other forms of electronic communications, including unauthorized use and dissemination of personal identification information.
Unauthorized Access, “Hacking,” and other Unlawful Activities Online
The Library will maintain security measures on its internal network and will limit access to software on public access workstations that could be used for hacking, unauthorized access or similar illegal activities.
Unauthorized Disclosure, Use and Dissemination of Personal Identification Information Regarding Minors
The Library reserves the right to monitor all use of its internal and Internet networks and to suspend use by any person who discloses, uses or disseminates personal identification information regarding minors.
Internet Use by Persons Under the Age of 18
Persons under the age of 18 will not be permitted to request that the Library’s TPM be disabled during their use of the Internet.
Internet Use by Adults
Persons age 18 and older may use the Internet with the Technology Protection Measure disabled for bona fide research or other lawful purposes pursuant to a written Request for Reconsideration of Internet Filtering.
Internet Use by Staff
Staff may disable the Internet filter on staff computers as required in the performance of work-related research that does not violate this policy. EXCERPT FROM FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY
Revised 6/2013 Adopted by FDL Board on 6/6/13
Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of Library Computers
The Library reserves the right to monitor all use of its internal and Internet networks.
All use of computers owned by the Flint Public Library and electronic traffic originating from the Flint Public Library’s Internet connection shall be in accordance with these Policies of Acceptable Use and Unacceptable Use. Failure to abide by the Policies may result in the loss of computer use privileges, loss of library privileges and other appropriate sanctions.
Acceptable Use
The Library hereby incorporates into its Acceptable Use Policy any acceptable use requirements of its Internet Service Provider. Computer use within the Library is generally acceptable except for use that falls into the category of Unacceptable Use, as defined in these policies.
Unacceptable Use
The Library’s computers and its Internet connection may not be used for any activities prohibited under local, state or federal laws. Such activities include, but are not limited to:
The Library’s computers and its Internet connection may not be used in ways that prevent others from enjoying the use of these resources. Unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to:
Computer and Internet Use Guidelines and Sanctions
Library staff is authorized to establish specific guidelines for computer and Internet use at the Library and to enforce sanctions upon persons who violate those guidelines or these policies. EXCERPT FROM FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY
Revised 6/2013 Adopted by FDL Board on 6/6/13
Internet Use Disclaimer
The Internet and its available resources contain a wide variety of materials and opinions. Provision of Internet access by the Library does not imply endorsement or sanction by the Library of any of the information, images or commentary found on the Internet.
Because the Internet is a global, electronic network, there is no effective governmental control of its users or its content. It is not possible to use the same selection criteria for Internet materials as are used for other Library materials. The accuracy of information gained through this source is the responsibility of each originator or producer of the information. Therefore, the Flint Public Library does not guarantee the accuracy of information obtained through the Internet.
Persons who use the Internet at the Flint Public Library are responsible for the Internet information they access and use the Internet at their own risk.
The Flint Public Library assumes no responsibility for any loss or damages occurring directly or indirectly to personal data or equipment, or for any damage or injury arising from use of the Library’s computers or its Internet connection.
Parents or those responsible for minor children must assume responsibility for and monitor their children’s use of computers and the Internet at the Library. Unsupervised use of the Internet may expose children to inappropriate or disturbing information even if the workstation is protected by technology protection measures intended to prevent such exposure.