Internet Access Policy 

Tioga Community Library 

Effective starting June 2019 

Purpose 

This policy is a statement of the Board of Directors of the Library, intended to be used in conjunction with other existing policies to guide administration of open access Internet resources. 

General Statement 

The Internet includes all kinds of resources, among them: current events, society and culture, business, science, technology, and travel. Some information may be offensive to some users. It is the responsibility of the individual user to select for him or herself. 

The Tioga Community Library does not control the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for content freely accessed by individuals. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and library patrons use it at their own risk. 

Rules for Usage 

• Patrons are required to sign in to use the public internet computers.  You will be required to show your library card when you sign in. The daily sign-in form will be located at the front desk. Daily sign-in form(s) will be destroyed at the end of each day. By signing in, patrons agree to the terms of the library policy.  
• Every user age 17 or younger must have a parental permission slip with parent or guardian signature on file at the Tioga Community Library. Minor forms must be signed by parents or guardians within the library with the library director present.  
• Only 3 of the 6 computers can be occupied for Internet access, and the others will remain open for other patrons to utilize for searching and other library site uses. 
• Patrons may use the Internet for one (1) hour per day if there are others waiting to use the Internet. If no one is waiting, they may continue to use the Internet until someone else wants to use it or until the limit of 2 hours has been reached. 
• Customers may not use their own software programs or download programs, files or games on the library Internet computers.
• Use will be on a first come, first serve basis. 
• Individuals will have their Internet use privileges permanently suspended for inappropriate behavior, illegal use of the Internet (including public display of pornography), changing computer settings, damaging equipment and software, not leaving computer when their assigned time is up, failing to pay for copies made off the Internet and failing to follow Internet use guidelines. 
• Library staff reserve the right to ask any patron to end any computer session at any time and for any reason

Printing Charges 

• Patrons will be charged 10¢ for each page printed in black and white, and 50¢ for each page printed in color.  

Special Guidelines for Minors 

• Parents or legal guardians bear the responsibility for determining the level of access to be available to their youth. PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, not the library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents – and ONLY PARENTS OR GUARDIANS – may restrict their children – and only THEIR CHILDREN – from access to Internet resources. 

Liability 

• While the library provides due diligence for connectivity, access, and security of data, the library accepts no responsibility for: 
• Accuracy of information found online 
• Damages resulting from loss of connectivity 
• Breaches in security 
• Breaches of personal data 
• Exposure to or infection by malware. 

The library accepts no responsibility for lost or misplaced items. 

The library accepts no responsibility for what patrons access online. 

Legal Compliance  

• The Internet contains all kinds of resources offering many types of information; some information may be offensive to some users. 
• Library internet access cannot be used to access obscene materials, child pornography, or materials harmful to minors as defined by community standards: 
• Whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards (not national standards, as some prior tests required), would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; 
• Whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct or excretory functions specifically defined by applicable state law; 
• And whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value 

Prohibited Activities 

• Library staff members have final authority regarding propriety of patron conduct. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to: 
• Unauthorized access, including hacking 
• Piracy 
• Accessing or displaying obscene materials, including but not limited to pornography.
• Cyber-bullying 
• Bringing ANY food or drink into the computer area 
• Identity theft 
• Talking on the phone  
• Listening to audio without headphones (headphones are available for checkout at the front desk). 
• Installing software on library computers 
• Any behaviors that impair the ability of other patrons to use the library 

Enforcement 

Patrons perceived to be in violation of this policy will receive: 

1. A verbal warning  
2. A written warning  
3. Banishment from use of the library’s public Internet computers 

Wi-Fi 

Access to Wi-Fi is covered by the terms of this policy.