Meade Public Library Internet Use Policy
The Internet is a global electronic network that provides access to ideas, information and commentary. The Meade Public Library is concerned for the safety and security of users who access online information. The library has no control over the content of the Internet and cannot be held responsible for what the user sees when connected to the Internet. When one uses the Internet, one “leaves” the library. The safety and security of users accessing the Internet require those persons to be cautious, thoughtful, protective of personal information, and respectful of library policy and state and federal laws. The library does not expressly or in any implied manner warrant the quality, accuracy, veracity, completeness or authenticity of any material or information accessed through the Internet computers. It is the responsibility of the user to read all disclaimer statements on the Internet and those associated with this policy. The restriction of a minor’s access to the Internet beyond that required by this policy is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. Youth under the age of eighteen (18) must have a Meade Public Library internet Consent Form signed by their parent or guardian to access the Internet.
A user will not misuse a library computer to:
- access or display information that is “obscene” or “harmful to minors” as defined by Kansas laws;
- participate in any online venue (including but not limited to: email, chatrooms, social networking sites, or instant messaging) that uses information that is obscene as defined by Kansas law;
- compromise or threaten the safety and security of minors when using email, chatrooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;
- disclose, use, and/or disseminate personal information that could threaten or create a vulnerability for a minor, for any other person, or for the library;
- attempt to gain unauthorized access to any data, computer, or network.
Unauthorized Use, the Laws, and Illegal Materials
The Meade Public Library complies with federal and state laws with a particular awareness of federal laws on the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (NCIPA), copyright (U.S. Code, Title 17), and Kansas laws relating to obscenity (K.S.A. 21-4301; 21-4301a, and 21-4301c). The library and library users must comply with these laws. Furthermore, Internet users are not to use the equipment in any unauthorized or unlawful manner or for any illegal purpose, as described in the Kansas Criminal Code (see K.S.A. 21-3755). Library users must respect the legal protection provided by copyright license to software, books, articles, and other electronic files.
Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors. To provide the definition required by CIPA and NCIPA, the phrase “matter…inappropriate for minors….” used in the federal law is regarded as synonymous with the definition of obscenity in K.S.A. 21-4301, 21-4301a, and 21-4301c. CIPA and NCIPA are laws adopted by Congress to protect children and others as they use the Internet from a computer located in a public library or public school. The laws require an age-related limitation of information access for, in the Kansas law, “…a child under the age of 18 years” and in CIPA and NCIPA, “…an individual who has not attained the age of 17.” This limitation is applied to information that is obscene as defined in K.S.A. 21-4301, 21-4301a, and 21-401c. In compliance with state law, the Meade Public Library will apply this limitation to users under the ages of 18.
The Meade Public Library will comply with CIPA and NCIPA regarding the requirement to use a Technology Protection Measure (filtering). All library Internet computers will use a TPM. However, this technology is not reliable and the library cannot be held responsible for prohibited information that might be displayed or for useful information that may be blocked. Library staff members are not responsible for monitoring use of and content accessed by patrons of any age. Parents or guardians, not library staff, are responsible for the information selected or accessed by their children or wards. Therefore, parents and guardians are advised to supervise children’s Internet use.
U.S. Code Title 17 contains the laws that protect the rights or authors to their publications and other intellectual property.
The computers and software provided by the Meade Public Library shall be used in accordance with all pertinent International, U.S., Kansas, or local laws including those prohibiting libel, plagiarism, obscenity, slander, or any other illegal activity. Downloading and/or installing software is prohibited. Accessing inappropriate materials and leaving them on the screen or in the printer for others is prohibited and may be grounds for prosecution. Misuse of the computer or Internet may result in denial of Internet use privileges, expulsion from the library, recovery of damage costs, and/or prosecution under the law.
