Dover Public Library :: Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Statement of Purpose

The Internet is a vast universe of computers located throughout the world. To access the Internet, libraries have turned to the World Wide Web, which provides a framework by which the resources of the Internet can be made available to the general public. Because the Dover Public Library is a member of KentNet, the county-wide library automation system maintained by the Kent County Department of Library Services, the library has a high-speed connection to the Internet. Using this connection, library patrons have been able to access the Internet through the Digital Library of Delaware, maintained by the Delaware Division of Libraries. Up to this time, the access has been via a text-based interface, and the Internet Acceptable Use Policy developed by the Division has served as Dover Public Library’s policy. Now, with the advent of graphical Web browsers, which will be available on Dover Public Library computers in 1998, the library must adopt its own Internet policy. The following policy has been developed by the directors of the KentNet libraries. Each library in the consortium will adopt this policy prior to implementing a graphical user interface (GUI) for viewing the World Wide Web.

Acceptable Use Policy

The Dover Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet is a world-wide community with a highly diverse user population, and it is the patron’s responsibility to utilize this resource wisely. Dover Public Library cannot be held responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information found on the Internet. Library staff will, however, provide guidance to assist library users in finding excellent Web resources selected by librarians for their accuracy and usefulness.
Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all library users. The library may, however, establish time limits for using Internet workstations based on demand.
Parents or guardians, not library staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents are reminded that only they can judge what material is suitable for their children to access. There is a great deal of material available on the Internet that many or most parents would find objectionable. Parents should discuss limits to viewing Internet materials with their children. Library staff can provide information to parents to assist them in talking with their children about the Internet. Parents do have the right to block all Internet privileges for their minor children (under 18). Parents who wish to exercise this right must ask their librarian for a form and return the signed form to their librarian.
Internet use at the Dover Public Library is restricted to holders of a valid KentNet borrowing card. Users must enter their 14-digit barcode number and their Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access the Internet. Patrons who have been denied Internet access because of a violation of this policy or of the Internet acceptable use policy of the Delaware Division of Libraries will not be able to use this barcode to access the Internet from the library’s workstation.
Internet workstations must be used in a responsible manner, respecting the rights of others, and taking care with use of the equipment. Computer and Internet settings may not be changed.
The workstations cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activities prohibited by any applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Patrons must be aware that material on the Internet and the World Wide Web is copyrighted. It is the user’s responsibility to be aware of the display of any notices concerning the copyright of information on the Web and to respect the copyright laws of the United States.
While the library will respect user privacy when using the Internet, it should be remembered that Internet workstations are in public areas and can be viewed by the entire community. Users are asked not to display images which will be offensive to other members of the community.
In order to protect computer workstations from viruses, patrons may not use their own software on workstations, nor may they use their own diskettes with the workstations. The library may offer diskettes for sale to library users at a nominal cost. Patrons may download files and programs to diskettes purchased from the library at the time they are using the workstations. They may not use diskettes purchased prior to that time or download to the hard drives of the PC’s.
Internet access may not be available due to technical problems beyond the library’s control. The library will not be held responsible for any material lost due to equipment problems.
The library will provide unfiltered access to the Internet at some public workstations within the library. The library may offer filtered access to the Internet at certain workstations available to younger users.
Internet access will be denied to anyone breaching this acceptable use policy.

Dover, Delaware
FAQs Forms & Policies Adult & Teen Services Children's Services Event Calendar Internet Links Friends & Volunteers Photos & News Advisory Commission Home Search WWW Dover Public Library	Internet Acceptable Use Policy Internet Acceptable Use Policy Statement of Purpose The Internet is a vast universe of computers located throughout the world. To access the Internet, libraries have turned to the World Wide Web, which provides a framework by which the resources of the Internet can be made available to the general public. Because the Dover Public Library is a member of KentNet, the county-wide library automation system maintained by the Kent County Department of Library Services, the library has a high-speed connection to the Internet. Using this connection, library patrons have been able to access the Internet through the Digital Library of Delaware, maintained by the Delaware Division of Libraries. Up to this time, the access has been via a text-based interface, and the Internet Acceptable Use Policy developed by the Division has served as Dover Public Library’s policy. Now, with the advent of graphical Web browsers, which will be available on Dover Public Library computers in 1998, the library must adopt its own Internet policy. The following policy has been developed by the directors of the KentNet libraries. Each library in the consortium will adopt this policy prior to implementing a graphical user interface (GUI) for viewing the World Wide Web. Acceptable Use Policy The Dover Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet is a world-wide community with a highly diverse user population, and it is the patron’s responsibility to utilize this resource wisely. Dover Public Library cannot be held responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information found on the Internet. Library staff will, however, provide guidance to assist library users in finding excellent Web resources selected by librarians for their accuracy and usefulness. Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all library users. The library may, however, establish time limits for using Internet workstations based on demand. Parents or guardians, not library staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents are reminded that only they can judge what material is suitable for their children to access. There is a great deal of material available on the Internet that many or most parents would find objectionable. Parents should discuss limits to viewing Internet materials with their children. Library staff can provide information to parents to assist them in talking with their children about the Internet. Parents do have the right to block all Internet privileges for their minor children (under 18). Parents who wish to exercise this right must ask their librarian for a form and return the signed form to their librarian. Internet use at the Dover Public Library is restricted to holders of a valid KentNet borrowing card. Users must enter their 14-digit barcode number and their Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access the Internet. Patrons who have been denied Internet access because of a violation of this policy or of the Internet acceptable use policy of the Delaware Division of Libraries will not be able to use this barcode to access the Internet from the library’s workstation. Internet workstations must be used in a responsible manner, respecting the rights of others, and taking care with use of the equipment. Computer and Internet settings may not be changed. The workstations cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activities prohibited by any applicable federal, state, or local laws. Patrons must be aware that material on the Internet and the World Wide Web is copyrighted. It is the user’s responsibility to be aware of the display of any notices concerning the copyright of information on the Web and to respect the copyright laws of the United States. While the library will respect user privacy when using the Internet, it should be remembered that Internet workstations are in public areas and can be viewed by the entire community. Users are asked not to display images which will be offensive to other members of the community. In order to protect computer workstations from viruses, patrons may not use their own software on workstations, nor may they use their own diskettes with the workstations. The library may offer diskettes for sale to library users at a nominal cost. Patrons may download files and programs to diskettes purchased from the library at the time they are using the workstations. They may not use diskettes purchased prior to that time or download to the hard drives of the PC’s. Internet access may not be available due to technical problems beyond the library’s control. The library will not be held responsible for any material lost due to equipment problems. The library will provide unfiltered access to the Internet at some public workstations within the library. The library may offer filtered access to the Internet at certain workstations available to younger users. Internet access will be denied to anyone breaching this acceptable use policy.	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