Somerville Public Library is dedicated to providing the community with a wide variety of information on all topics. In keeping with the mission and vision of the Library, free limited use of the Internet is available to all library users, upon signature of the “Acceptable Internet Use Policy” agreement.
The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection. It allows access to ideas, information and commentary from around the globe. Currently, however, it is an unregulated medium. As such, while it offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, it also enables access to some material that may be offensive, disturbing and/or illegal.
Library employees may provide basic introductory training concerning Internet or personal computer use as time permits but do not provide in-depth Internet assistance. Staff can locate books and other library resources dealing with computer-related topics and can provide referrals to area computer classes.
FILTERING
The Library offers both unblocked and blocked access to the Internet. Full (unblocked, unfiltered) access is available to Adults. Adults use the Internet at their own discretion, and the Library has no control over and is not responsible for the content on the Internet. Not all sites provide accurate, complete, or current information. Some access points carry information that a user might find controversial or inappropriate. We encourage our patrons to be sensitive to the fact that they are in a public setting.
Just as the Library does not restrict access to other material forms and formats, we cannot refuse access to Internet content that someone else may deem objectionable. The principles of intellectual freedom that apply to the traditional print library also apply to the modern electronic access library. All patrons using the Internet must read and sign the Internet Users Agreement before use. Patrons under the age of 17 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the agreement.
INTERNET ACCESS BY MINORS
Minors (up to age 17) can have full (unblocked, unfiltered) access to the Internet, with the signed permission of a parent or guardian. (The parental permission form will be kept on file, and a child’s library card will contain information about their permitted access.) Limited Internet access is also available for minors on machines with commercially available blocking software that is intended to prevent access to visual materials of an obscene or sexually explicit nature that would be considered legally “Harmful to Minors.” The Library cannot guarantee the effectiveness of the software in use, nor can the Library be responsible for any failure on the part of the software to block offensive or inappropriate materials. The Library is also not responsible for the inadvertent restriction of access to desirable, necessary or appropriate information that may result from use of the blocking software. With or without blocking software, children who use the Internet without parental guidance may encounter material that is beyond their maturity level or otherwise unsuitable. We strongly urge parents to discuss the use of the Internet with their children, to determine its most appropriate use.
As with other library materials, restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian. Parents or guardians, not the Library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and /or accessed by their child/children.
COMPUTER USE
Internet computers will not be used for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, or to access materials which by local community standards would be obscene.
- Library staff may limit use of computer equipment which has been purchased from grant funds, according to the terms or intent of the grant agreement.<
- Installation, downloading, or modification of software is prohibited.
- Users will respect copyright laws and licensing agreements.
- Users will not make any attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted files or networks, or to damage or modify computer equipment or software.
- Prompt payment is required by users who incur charges for printing or other authorized fees.
- Terminals will not be “reserved.”
- Access sessions will be limited to 2 hours, unless otherwise authorized by the Librarian in Charge. Access sessions are limited to a maximum of 3 hours in length with a 30-minute timeout period between sessions. During the timeout period the user is denied access to library computers except for the “catalog and database only” workstations.
- Users must end their session and leave the terminal when asked to do so by authorized Library staff.
- Upon completion of an Internet access session, a user may be required to wait 30 minutes before signing up for another session.
- The number of access sessions available per day, per user, may be established by the Librarian in Charge: such limitations will be dependent on facility-specific demand in order to provide access for the majority of users.
- Users will respect the privacy of other users, and will refrain from attempting to view or read material being used by others.
- By mutual agreement, two persons may share one access session as long as their behavior or conversation does not disturb other users or Library staff.
COMPUTER USE TERMINATION
When a library employee observes that a user has failed to comply with the Library Internet policy, they are authorized to terminate that users access session or to prohibit that user from future sessions for up to two weeks from the date of informing the user of that action. After a meeting with the Library Director, the customer may be permanently barred from Internet access from the library.
Internet users whose access session has been terminated or prohibited will be given information concerning the process to protest the action and/or request that Internet access privileges be reinstated.
- First inappropriate behavior incident shall result in termination of the session and formal warning. Note is placed in user’s personal library account.
- Second inappropriate behavior incident shall result in termination of the session and prohibition of access to library computers for two weeks. This incident will be noted in user’s personal library account. The patron must make an appointment with the Library Director to request a hearing to reinstate computer privileges.
- This meeting will determine whether access to the Internet will be reinstated or permanently denied.
