INF-05: Internet Safety Policy
Implemented: November 25, 2002
Justification
Current laws require the library to address Internet access and safety for use by minors. The North Platte Public Library intends to enforce these policies through a technology protection measure. Technology protection measures are not fool proof, but lessen the chances of accessing, intentionally or accidentally, material that is considered offensive or harmful to minors. Minors are allowed access to all Internet stations in the building. These safety policies that are in effect for minors will therefore apply to all users. This policy meets Internet Safety Policy requirements of section 1732 of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) modifying Section 254(I) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC 254). This policy should be reviewed annually for amendments.
Policy:
- It is the responsibility of the North Platte Public Library to help guide children and adults in the use and access of information. The Internet and World Wide Web allow access to all forms of information including those that are considered inappropriate for minors by community standards. Information about online and Internet safety for children, parents and care givers is available through the North Platte Public Library.
- The North Platte Public Library seeks to increase the safety and security of minors and all citizens when using electronic mail and other forms of direct electronic communications. All minors under the age of 18 must have a parental signature on file allowing access to the Internet in the Technology Learning Center (TLC). All children under the age of 13 are required to have a parent, guardian or care giver (18 or older) present while the child accesses the Internet in the TLC. Chat rooms, Instant Messaging Services, Internet-based games and online gambling, do not support the mission statement of the library and consume valuable bandwidth; and therefore are restricted for all users.
- Unauthorized access, including hacking, and other unlawful activities are considered crimes. The use of the library’s computers to commit or aid in a crime or to access unlawful content and sites may be pursued to the fullest extent of the law. The North Platte Public Library will cooperate with local, state and federal authorities in the prosecution of crimes committed against, through, or upon library equipment and resources. Installation of unlicensed software on library equipment is prohibited by copyright law.
- All users are responsible for their own information. The library encourages users to remember that it is possible for information provided in an electronic format to be used, disseminated, and disclosed without authorization. Minors should never provide any personally identifiable information, including real name, address, phone numbers, parent or school information, pictures, and other “clues” about who they are, over the Internet or in an online forum.
- The North Platte Public Library has implemented a technology protection measure (Internet filter) in addition to the parental signatures and parental presence rules outlined in this policy. The filter will help prevent accidental or intentional access in the various areas of the library as outlined in the attached “N2H2 Filtering Categories Chart”, which may be periodically updated to effectively carry out this policy. All computer users are required to acknowledge and be subjected to various levels of Internet filtering.
- North Platte Public Library staff may, at a users request and justification, override the Internet filter on TLC stations only and allow full access to a site for up to 15 minutes. This will allow viewing of all sites that are being blocked, if the user requests access to the site for educational or informational purposes. Library staff may alternatively access the site from the TLC staff station and allow the user to get information from the site at that station.
Created October 27, 2005. Last Reviewed May 28, 2008.
Implemented: November 25, 2002
Procedures
- All minors under the age of 18 who wish to use the Internet in the TLC MUST have a parental/guardian consent form and signature on file at the library.
- All children under the age of 13 MUST have a parent, guardian, or care giver (over 18) present with them when accessing the Internet in the TLC.
- You must sign in and out before and after using a public computer station in the library.
- A valid North Platte Public Library card is required to access the Internet. Guests and travelers passing through our community must leave ID with TLC staff and checkout a guest library card to access a computer including the Internet. Internet Only cards are available in the TLC for guests who will be visiting our community up to 2 months. Temporary library cards may be issued from the circulation desk for a fee of $5.00 and are good for 3 months or until permanent residency is established, whichever comes first.
- If you need to leave your computer, but are not finished with your session, you will notify TLC staff or your computer may be given to the next person waiting.
Time Limits
- Your daily time limit on a TLC computer is two 60 minute sessions (2 hours total). You may use a computer as many times as you wish through out the day, but your session limit at any one time is 60 minutes. A 30 minute break is required before you can sign in for your next session if stations are in high demand.
- Your daily time limit on Young Adult and Children’s computers is 60 minutes. If you are over 18, you will not be allowed onto these computers.
- If you are doing research, your daily computer time may be extended by library staff upon request pending station availability.
Electronic Communication
- In accordance with the library’s Internet Safety Policy, the following activities are restricted in the TLC and are not allowed elsewhere in the building:
- Unmoderated Chatting (Moderated chatting is allowed in the TLC and at Young Adult computers only)
- Online Gambling
- Online Gaming (except in the Children’s room for “Kids Only Sites”)
- Sex & Pornography sites
- Other filtering restrictions apply to Young Adult, Children’s, and other public access computers in the building. Please ask for a “Filtering Categories Brochure” for more information.
- The library does not provide e-mail accounts. E-Mail accounts may be obtained through various public providers on the Internet for free or fee.
Equipment
- Printing is allowed. Fees for printing vary, please review posted service and fee rates. Printing charges apply for patron supplied materials and all materials must be labeled for “Laser Printers”, except transparencies, which can only be purchased from the library.
- Downloading is allowed to floppy disk, zip disk (TLC only), and to a public network share also known as “public docs”. Anything that is stored in public docs may be viewed by any user and may be altered or deleted without your consent.
- Installation of software on library equipment is prohibited by copyright law and may be grounds for privilege suspension.
- Do not restart stations without consulting library staff. You are responsible for any damages caused by tampering or harming any library equipment.
- If you experience equipment problems you will notify library staff immediately.
- Unauthorized access, including hacking, is considered a crime. The library will cooperate with local, state, and federal authorities in the prosecution of crimes committed against, through, or upon library equipment and resources.
Respect the rights of all computer users and general library patrons
by leaving quietly and promptly when your session has ended.
Implemented: November 25, 2002
The North Platte Public Library maintains a separate Internet Safety Policy protecting minors using Internet stations in the Technology Learning Center (TLC) and other areas of the library. You may request a copy of this policy from TLC staff at any time.- Children’s Computers are available for use by children under the age of 13 in the children’s room.
- Young Adult Computers are/will soon be available for use by minors who are 13 years of age and under 18 years of age.
- The library implements N2H2 filtering technologies on all public library computers. This technology is in place to help prevent accidental or intentional viewing of Internet material that has visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic or harmful to minors.
- In accordance with the library’s Internet Safety Policy, the following activities are restricted in the TLC and are not allowed elsewhere in the building:
- Unmoderated Chatting (Moderated chatting is allowed in the TLC and at Young Adult computers only)
- Online Gambling
- Online Gaming (except in the Children’s room for “Kids Only Sites”)
- Sex & Pornography sites
- A list of the filtering categories and how they are implemented is available from TLC staff, ask for the “Filtering Categories Brochure”.
- As a parent or guardian of a minor child, I understand that it is my responsibility to be involved in what my child views on the Internet and acknowledge that the library is acting in the best interest of the community by filtering Internet content.
- All children under the age of 13 MUST have a parent, guardian, or care giver (over the age of 18) present when the minor uses the Internet in the TLC.
- All minor’s under 18 years of age MUST have a parental consent form on file to use the Internet in the TLC.
Created October 27, 2005. Last Reviewed May 28, 2008.
North Platte Public Library offers remote access to various subscription databases through a product called Remote Patron Authentication (RPA) and the library’s inventory catalog through the Horizon Information Portal (HIP). Users of remote access services require their current library barcode and PIN to login to both systems.
Both systems are accessible from the library’s webpage at http://www.ci.north-platte.ne.us/library.
The RPA service is available directly through http://rpa.ci.north-platte.ne.us.
The HIP service is available directly through http://catalog.ci.north-platte.ne.us.
Created October 27, 2005. Last Reviewed May 28, 2008.
INF-09: Wireless Network Access
North Platte Public Library has an Internet Safety Policy (INF-05) in place. The Internet Safety Policy is in effect for Wireless Access. In addition, the following Wireless Access Acceptable Use Policy is established.
Network Security: The wireless network is not an open network but is configured for access to the Internet and provides access to information. In order to use the network, you must agree to the Terms of Use each time you log on to the wireless network. There is a potential for any information and signals within the wireless network to be intercepted. Use of the wireless network is at the risk of the user. The North Platte Public Library shall not be liable for any security breaches a user may experience while using the wireless network.
Network Availability: The wireless network is available during Library Service Hours (see FAC-02). There is a potential for the wireless signal to breach the building. There are no restraints on 24 hour use if the signal bleeds through the walls. However, vagrancy and loitering outside the building are discouraged.
Limitations on Use: The North Platte Public Library will continue to monitor usage of the network’s bandwidth. Abuse of bandwidth may require the North Platte Public Library to impose a bandwidth restrictions and/or additional filtering restrictions.
Personal Equipment Security: The North Platte Public Library is a public building. Keep track of your equipment and belongings. The North Platte Public Library is not responsible for lost, stolen or missing property. Please contact the Circulation Desk and/or the TLC Staff Desk if you suspect your property has been stolen.
Filtering: The wireless network is filtered. Sites that have been categorized as: Extreme, Gambling, Gruesome, Hate/Discrimination, Illegal Software, Incidental Nudity, Nudity, Pornography, Profanity, and Violence will be blocked from access. If you have to access one of these categories, you will need to use the Technology Learning Center (TLC). Staff will not override filtering on personal equipment.
Support: Library Staff are not trained to help you use your equipment. You may ask TLC staff for assistance in accessing the network, but support should not be expected. In general, your network settings must allow DHCP and you will need to accept the Terms of Use on the portal page. The North Platte Public Library provides a single laptop for one hour use with wireless capabilities. Please inquire about laptop availability at the TLC. The Library’s laptop is preconfigured for use on the Wireless Network.
Printing: There is no printing support to Library printers from the wireless network.
Limitations & Disclaimers: The Library’s wireless network is not secure. Information sent from or to your laptop can be captured by anyone else with a wireless device and the appropriate software. Library staff is not able to provide technical assistance for personal equipment and no guarantee can be provided that you will be able to make a wireless connection. The Library assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment or for laptop configurations, security, or data files resulting from connection the Library’s network. Printing capability is not available on the NPPL wireless network.
Created October 27, 2005. Completely new draft January 22, 2009.
