Internet Policy

 

Policy approved by Library Board
10/18/2023

The Bayfield Carnegie Library is providing access to the internet as a means to enhance the information and learning opportunities for the citizens of the library's service area. The Board of Trustees has established the internet use policy to ensure appropriate and effective use of this resource. Access to the internet is available to all patrons; however, this service may be restricted at any time for use not consistent with the guidelines. In supervising children's use of the internet, parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding what materials are appropriate for their children. Restriction of a child's access to the internet is the parents' or guardians' responsibility. Parents or guardians are responsible for supervising their children's internet sessions and for letting their children know if there are materials they don't want their children to use.  All patrons should check in at the front desk before beginning internet use.

Expectations

All users are expected to use the internet appropriately.  The user will be held responsible for his/her actions using the internet. Users are expected to abide by the policies below which include generally accepted rules of network etiquette. Unacceptable uses of the service will result in the suspension or revocation of internet use privileges.

Warnings

The internet is a decentralized, unmoderated global network; the Bayfield Carnegie Library has no control over the content found there. Users should be aware that the internet contains material, messages and/or graphics that may be offensive to a user.  The library will not censor access to material nor protect users from offensive information, and it is not responsible for the availability and accuracy of information found on the internet.  The library is not responsible for damages to equipment or data on a user's personal computer from the use of data downloaded from the library's internet service.  The use of the internet and email is not guaranteed to be private.

Guidelines

  • What we expect of you:

Polite behavior at the internet terminals

a.  Minimal talking in the computer stations

b.  Check in at the front desk before beginning use of public computers

c.  No hovering.

  • Users may use the internet for research and the acquisition of information to address their educational, vocational, cultural, and recreational needs. 

  • Users may use the internet for the receipt and transmission of email as long as they use a free service which will establish and maintain an account for them. The library is unable to manage email accounts for any organization or individuals.

  • Users are limited to one hour of use per day. Exceptions may be made.

  • Users will respect and uphold copyright laws and regulations.

  • Users will respect the rights and privacy of others by not accessing private files.

  • Users shall not deliberately or willfully cause damage to computer equipment,  programs, or settings. 

  • Users will not use the public computers to look up pornographic materials. Any person searching for sexually graphic websites with children will be reported to law enforcement immediately. 

Violation of these rules may result in suspension of internet access privileges, library borrowing privileges and appropriate legal action.

Use of Wi-Fi (Wireless Access to the Internet)

The library provides free public access to the internet via a Wi-Fi network. It is required that patrons who use the internet via the library’s network will do so in a responsible and legal way. The purpose of this policy is to ensure appropriate use of the library’s Wi-Fi network.

1.   The library provides free public access to the internet as an informational, educational and recreational resource. Use of the internet via the library's Wi-Fi network via mobile devices (e.g. laptops, netbooks, iPads, smart phones, etc.) is bound by this Internet Use Policy.

2.   Users must not engage in any illegal activities (e.g. hacking, pirating, downloading illegal materials, etc.) or in any activities inconsistent with this Internet Use Policy. Wireless users attest that they have read and will adhere to these policies.

3.   Printing is not available on the wireless network, but users may save their work to a USB drive, use the library’s public internet computers to print, or make use of the Princh option for wireless printing..

4.   Users of the wireless network may plug their mobile devices into electrical outlets provided the power cords do not extend into aisles or walkways.

5.   Users of laptops, notebooks, and other related devices must be considerate of patrons nearby and are required to use headphones/earbuds when playing movies, music and games or when any other software program generates sound.

6.   Very limited technical support is available through library personnel. The library cannot guarantee that all hardware will work with the wireless connection, and the library is not responsible for any changes users make to their device settings.

7.   The library reserves the right to limit the amount of bandwidth in use by any user of the wireless network, particularly if there are multiple users of Wi-Fi at the same time. The library also reserves the right to end wireless sessions of anyone in violation of the Internet Use Policy.

8.   The library shall not have any responsibility or liability for any claims relating to the loss, damage, or interception of any information, data, work product, or other materials viewed, searched, or stored on users’ mobile devices. Antivirus and security protection are the responsibility of the user.

9.   Wireless users should be certain that their laptops and other devices are always secure and should never be left unattended in the library, even for brief periods of time. Theft of such devices is not the responsibility of the library.

10.   Patrons should be advised that they use the library’s wireless network at their own risk. The wireless network is not secure, as it is not encrypted using WEP, WPA, etc. Unless additional precautions are taken, any information sent to or from a device could potentially be intercepted by a third party who might be within range and using the appropriate hardware/software.

11.   While respecting individual users' right to privacy, the library staff reserves the right to monitor the use of personal computers to ensure compliance with this policy.

Violation of any of the above conditions may result in suspension of wireless access as determined by the Library Director