Background/Philosophy

Tiverton Library Services offers access to the Internet in fulfillment of our mission to provide “the broadest possible spectrum of information and ideas” that will “educate, inform, enrich and entertain the people of our community.” Access is offered equally to all users without charge. Not everyone currently has or can afford access to the Internet in their homes or business. The library can “level the playing field” by providing everyone with open access to this valuable information resource. Even those who can afford access may need it only intermittently and may not wish to pay for it on a regular basis. Others know that information can be found there, but prefer to rely on experienced, trained library staff to assist them with their searches. In providing public access to the Internet, Tiverton Library Services subscribe to American Library Association policies regarding freedom of access, including the Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, Freedom to View, and related statements contained in the A.L.A.’s Intellectual Freedom Manual. Tiverton Library Services uphold the principals of intellectual freedom, the citizen’s right to information, the right to confidentiality of users’ records, and opposes censorship.

Information Disclaimer

The Internet is a worldwide computer network that provides easy access to a massive body of information. The resources available on the Internet expand the library’s information services well beyond traditional collections and electronic resources. The Internet allows access to ideas, information and commentary from around the globe. Currently, however, it is an unregulated medium. As such, while it offers a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, it also enables access to some information that may be offensive, disturbing and/or illegal, inaccurate or incomplete. Users are encouraged to be good information consumers by evaluating the validity of information found via the Internet.

Through the library’s website, www.tivertonlibrary.org, library staff have provided links to specific sites selected because of their useful content. These follow the same selection policies in place for other informational or recreational materials provided by the library. However, all Internet resources may contain controversial material. Our patrons choose which electronic materials and sites they view on the Internet. The library cannot protect them from information that might be considered offensive or inaccurate. It remains the responsibility of the user-or the user’s parent, guardian or caregiver in the case of minors- to determine what is appropriate. Library staff will not monitor, control or restrict anyone’s access to information, sound or images accessed on-line.

Child Safety

The public library, unlike schools, does not serve in loco parentis (in place of a parent.) Librarians cannot act in the place of providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet. The following are recommended guidelines for parents and guardians to ensure that children have positive on-line experiences, whether at home or in the library:

		Use the Internet as a family. Join your children in their Internet exploration.
		Encourage children to use sites on the library’s homepage, and counsel them to avoid sites you consider unsuitable.
		Provide guidelines for your children on the amount of time they spend on-line, just as for television viewing.
		Instruct children NEVER to give out personal information (name, address, password, telephone number)

Parents are encouraged to read ”Child Safety on the Information Highway” jointly produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Interactive Services Association. This publication is available as a link from the library’s homepage at www.tivertonlibrary.org.

Rules of Conduct

All users of library computing resources must comply with federal and state laws, library rules and policies, and terms of applicable contracts, including software licenses, while using the library’s computers. Examples of applicable laws, rules and policies include the laws of libel, privacy, copyright, trademark, obscenity and child pornography; the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which prohibit “hacking”, “cracking”, and similar activities. Users who engage in electronic communications with persons in other states or countries or on other systems or networks may also be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions and the rules and policies of those other systems and networks.

Users may not:

		Damage equipment or software, or change the settings on the library’s computers
		Attempt to modify or gain access to passwords, system files, the operating system or other such data.
		Use the network to make unauthorized entry into other computational, informational, or communication services or resources.
		Invade the privacy of others by gaining access to another person’s files.
		Engage in any activity that is harassing or defamatory.
		Use the Internet for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright and software licensing.
		Use their personal software, equipment or computer disks on the library’s workstations.

An individual whose behavior violates library policy will be warned about the specific behavior that is prohibited. Library employees are authorized to terminate any user’s Internet access, or to prohibit a user from subsequent Internet sessions for up to two weeks from the date of informing the user that action, if the user has failed to comply with the library’s Rules of Conduct.
Potential loss of library privileges, and possible prosecution may also follow.

The library’s computers are set up for optimal usage by a single individual. In some cases, such as a parent/guardian with children, it may be important for two or more people to work together at a computer. Behavior or conversation should not disturb library users or staff. If it does, the patrons will be asked to correct their behaviors, disband, and/or leave the building as appropriate.

Information may be read on-line or printed out. Printing fees of $0.15 per page should be paid at the circulation desks on either floor of the library. Prompt payment is required, or computer privileges may be suspended. Library patrons are asked to use good judgment in conserving paper and library printing supplies.

Instruction

Providing instruction in how to use and evaluate information is part of the library’s role. Staff will devote a reasonable amount of time assisting individual library users with the Internet when needed. They cannot devote large amounts of time to each user because staff scheduled for public services desks are handling many information requests from many individuals.

One-on-one instruction in the use of the Internet may be scheduled with the reference librarian. Please ask at the Circulation Desk for more information.

Library Oversight

Librarians and the library’s Board of Trustees will continually evaluate use of the Internet and library policy. The library reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Patrons may voice their opinions about out Internet policy to the director, who can arrange an appearance at one of the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Trustees.

Adopted June 28m 2002 by the Tiverton Library Services’ Board of Trustees