La Porte County Public Library

It is the policy of the La Porte County Public Library to maintain access for the community to local, national and international sources of information and to provide an atmosphere that encourages access to knowledge and sharing of information.

It is the policy of the La Porte County Public Library that information resources will be used by members of the community with respect for the public trust and in accordance with policy and regulations established from time to time by the La Porte County Public Library Board of Trustees and Administration.

The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collections. It allows access to ideas, information, and commentary from around the globe and a vast array of tools and resources for different age levels and points-of-view. The Library does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy of information obtained through the Internet.

Internet resources may contain material of a controversial nature. Selection polices, which serve to govern the Library's purchase of materials, are not applicable to material accessed electronically. It remains the responsibility of the user (or the parent, guardian or caretaker) to decide what is appropriate.

The La Porte County Public Library strives to provide Internet users the widest possible freedom of expression. However, because this is an on-line community, basic standards have been set to build a positive environment.

Illegal activities that are not allowed include, but are not limited to:

• violating copyright restrictions
• conspiring to commit crimes
• conducting illicit transactions
• using Library computing resources to illegally access other computer systems

A user whose conduct violates federal, state or local laws will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The La Porte County Public Library will cooperate with the proper authorities in the investigation of illegal activities.

The following activities are not allowed:

• to upload any outside material
• to access pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material
• to violate any local, state, or federal statute
• to vandalize, damage or disable the property of the library
• the use of chat rooms

Use of the Internet shall be guided by the following principles:

1. Respect for the privacy of others.
   
2. Attention to the legal protection provided by copyright and license to programs and data.
   
3. Consideration for the integrity of computing systems: for example, users shall not intentionally develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computing system, or damage or alter the software components of this or other computing systems.

1. It is not acceptable to use Internet access for any purpose that will violate US or state laws, or interfere with network users, services or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer worms and viruses, and using the network to make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible via the network.
   
2. It is assumed that information and resources accessible via the Internet are private to the individuals and organizations which own or hold rights to those resources and information, unless specifically stated otherwise by the owners or holders of rights. It is not acceptable for an individual to use the Internet to gain access to information or resources unless permission to do so has been granted by the owners or holders of rights to those resources or information.
3. Malicious use is not acceptable. Use of the Internet and any attached network that precludes, or significantly hampers its use by others, is not allowed. Use of the network for chat rooms or recreational games is not acceptable.

Policy on Children's Access to the Internet at the Library

1. All children under the age of 18 may have access to limited Internet capability in the Children's Department at the Main Library and at all branch libraries. No special permission will be required from parents or guardians to use these computers.
2. When accompanied by a parent or guardian, all children under the age of 18, may have unlimited access, according to the library's Computer Use Policy, to the Internet in the Adult Department at Main Library and at all branch libraries.
3. Children under the age of 18 may have unlimited access to the Internet, according to the library's Computer Use Policy, in the Adult Department at Main Library and at all branch libraries, if given permission by an "Internet Parental Permission Form" signed by parent or guardian.

Children's Use of the Internet

Parents/Guardians of children under the age of 18 years must assume the responsibility for their children's use of the Internet through the LaPorte County Public Library's workstations. As with other library materials, restriction of a minor's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.

It is important that parents/guardians understand that the Internet provides access to computers all over the world. Because of that access, and the fact that no one can control the content of the contributions to this network, parents/guardians need to be a ware of the existence of some materials that might be offensive.

We encourage parents/guardians to actively participate in the information enrichment experience that Internet access will provide for their child.

The following are recommended guidelines for parents and guardians to ensure that children have positive online experiences at the library:

• Use the Internet as a family. Join your children in Internet exploration.
• Explore the wide range of available information and tell your children about sites you consider inappropriate for them.
• Encourage children to use sites recommended on the library homepage and counsel them to avoid sites you consider unsuitable.
• Provide guidelines for your children on the amount of time they spend online, just as for television viewing.
• Instruct children to use caution in using email, chat rooms, and other forms of electronic communication.
• Instruct children never to give out personal information (name, address, password, telephone number, credit card number) online.
• Teach children to be good online consumers. As with print information, consider the source, date, and accuracy of online information.

Internet workstations have a time limit of thirty (30) minutes per session. If no one is waiting, a patron may continue to use the workstation. Library staff members have the right to ask a patron to relinquish the use of a workstation, if others are waiting.

Guideline Number 2.

The Internet will be managed in a manner consistent with the Library's Policy on Appropriate Library Behavior which has been adopted and is posted in the library.

Guideline Number 3.

Staff provides limited assistance for basic start up procedures. If patrons have never used computers or have specific questions about the Internet, circulating books and reference books are available.

Guideline Number 4.

The Library does not offer electronic mail accounts to the public. Information about local Internet providers who sell such accounts is available at the Reference Desk.

Guideline Number 5.

The Library does not allow the public to upload files to the Internet. The public may download files from the Internet at designated workstations.

Guideline Number 6.

The Library does not allow Internet use for the purpose of accessing chat rooms or recreational games.

Guideline Number 7.

Failure to adhere to any of the above mentioned rules may result in revocation of Internet use privileges at the library.