The Hillsdale Free Public Library attempts to provide materials of the highest quality for use by all members of the community. The Internet provides access to a vast amount of information that can be enriching and enlightening. The Internet is accessible on each public computer in support of the library's mission to meet the educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs of the community. The provision of access is granted in order to encourage life-long learning. The library does not endorse the content or information that may be found on the Internet.
The library upholds the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights. As stated in that document all users are to be provided with equal access to all library resources. An adopted interpretation by the New Jersey Library Association is appended to this policy.
The Internet is available on a first come first serve basis. The library reserves the right to establish procedures for implementing time limits and/or sign-ups. The library reserves the right to end Internet sessions at any time.
Patrons utilizing the Internet computers to play games, send emails, or use chat rooms may be asked by the library staff to end their session if another patron needs to conduct research and no other computers are available. The search for materials and information takes precedence over all other activities.
Library Patrons are cautioned that the Internet is currently an unregulated medium and the content and images may be inaccurate, biased, or offensive. Each individual must determine the appropriateness and usefulness of the information found. The library is not responsible nor has any control over content found on the Internet. In an effort to guide patrons to quality sources the library homepage includes selected links to sites appropriate for adults, teens, and children. Further, patrons should be aware that all security in electronic environments cannot be guaranteed and therefore transactions, files, and communications are vulnerable to unauthorized use and should be considered public. The Library will not be responsible for direct, indirect, or consequential damages related to the use of information found throughout the Library's Internet service.
As with all other library material, parents or guardians should be aware that they are responsible for what their children access via the Internet. The library affirms parents rights to direct and/or oversee their children's Internet activity. Families are encouraged to discuss guidelines and limitations of Internet use in accordance with their own family values.
PATRON RESPONSIBILITIES
All patrons are expected to comply with the Internet use guidelines described here. As with all library resources the Internet is to be used respectfully and appropriately.Patrons are prohibited from modifying any computer settings even for temporary use. The use of the Internet on library computers to conduct commercial or business enterprises is not permitted. The sending of threatening, harassing, offensive messages or images via the Internet or deliberately transmitting computer viruses is a crime. Patrons who engage in such activities will be reported to the proper authorities. Failure to comply with the policies described here may result in the suspension of library privileges.
Patrons may download information onto disks, but not onto the hard drive. Patrons are encouraged to bring pre-formatted floppy discs. Users must adhere to copyright laws and licensing agreements when downloading material found on the Internet.
Any problems with the computers should
be immediately reported to a library staff member.
CHILD SAFETY
Parents or guardians are solely responsible for what their children access via the Internet. As stated above, no filtering software has been installed on any library computers. Parents are particularly cautioned that unsupervised children may see things that the parent finds objectionable. Children should either be accompanied by a parent/caregiver or provided with guidelines for Internet use. The library staff cannot be responsible for screening what is acceptable to children.
USE OF COMPUTERS IN THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARY
Computers located in the Children's Library are available to children through eighth grade and for the parents and caregivers supervising their children while in the room. The responsibility for and any restriction of a child's use of the Internet rests solely with the child's parent(s) or legal guardian.
The Internet computers are located in a public space and patrons of all ages and sensibilities can easily view the screens. Although constant monitoring is not possible, the library staff reserves the right to request that a patron exit a website if another patron expresses concern or if the staff member judges the material to be inappropriate for public viewing. Patrons who fail to abide by this policy will be subject to suspension of their library privileges. Individuals who become argumentative or refuse to log-off when asked to do so by Library Staff will have Internet access privileges suspended.
The library staff is confident that individuals will use sound judgment as to what is acceptable to fellow community members.
The Library reserves the right to modify the policies as necessary to ensure the fair and reasonable use of the Internet.
The Library maintains no record of individuals using the Internet.
The Library may keep a record of patrons violating the Internet Use Policy.
Consistent with the library's mission and with professional principles of public librarianship, this Internet Use Policy affirms the safeguarding of First Amendment rights, intellectual freedom, equity of access, confidentiality of information about users and their use of all library resources including electronic and individual responsibility. The Library affirms the following principles and user rights as delineated in the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights in Cyberspace.
The New Jersey Library Association:
Affirms the right of all users to have unrestricted access to the Internet.
Affirms the right of libraries to make filtering software available to those who deliberately choose to use it.
Acknowledges the right of parents to determine the level of Internet access for their minor children.
Since the advent of the Internet, libraries have ceased to be repositories of selected materials alone and have become gateways to a vast and ever-changing array of resources not selected by library employees or for the most part evaluated by anyone in any way. In contrast to most of the print materials in library collections, the majority of Worldwide Web sites are published by their "authors" and have not been subject to the scrutiny of a publisher's editorial staff. Many of these sites provide reliable, current, readily-retrievable information, some of which is obtainable nowhere else. Unfortunately, some Web sites provide misinformation or content objectionable to some.
Throughout the nation, public officials, activists' groups, and ordinary citizens have begun to demand that libraries deny or restrict access to those sites that violate particular and often varying criteria. Restricting access contravenes principles long espoused by the library profession.
Libraries seek to accommodate the broadest spectrum of library users. The association acknowledges that some library users may wish to shield themselves and their own children from unintentional exposure to text and images that they deem offensive.
Regulation of access by minors is the responsibility of their parents. Libraries may accommodate these users by making filtering software available.
The shortcomings of filtering software are widely recognized. Some filtering programs inadvertently block access to some websites that may be considered useful as well as to sites that may be deemed offensive. Other programs depend upon reviewers to select sites for blocking but give no indication of the criteria the reviewers follow. Filtering programs sometimes block access to certain sites solely because they contain links to other sites deemed objectionable. Libraries that make filtering software available to their users are urged to provide them with information about its limitations and about possible unforeseen consequences of its use.
Adopted as revised by the N.J.L.A. Executive Board on Oct.19, 1999.