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Policy and Procedures for South Park Township Public Library
Internet Usage |
SOUTH PARK TOWNSHIP LIBRARY BOARD
POLICY REGARDING INTERNET USE
Nov. 30, 1999
Whereby the South Park Township Library Board of the South Park Township Library recognizes the importance of the Internet and the World Wide Web as an invaluable source of information.
Whereby the South Park Township Library Board also recognizes that this same information may not be appropriate for all users of the Internet and of the South Park Township Library, the South Park Township Library Board of the South Park Township Library enacts the following policy for the benefit of all Library Users.
INTERNET USE POLICY
The South Park Township Library endeavors to provide our patrons with accurate, complete, current, and unbiased information in many formats. The Internet provides many sites that meet these criteria and is available, free of charge, to our patrons for recreational and educational use.
Since our Internet access computers are available to patrons of all ages, we provide blocking software for these computers. It is intended to prohibit access, by minors, to explicit sexual materials. This software is not infallible and material that is offensive, illegal or inaccurate may still be accessed It is the patron’s responsibility to determine if this material is of value.
The Library staff will not be responsible for supervising children while they are on the Internet. Parents or guardians are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet. The Library does not have the right or responsibility to determine the appropriateness of any material for a particular child. We strongly recommend that all children be supervised by an adult while using the Internet.
The Library is a public place and some materials may not be appropriate for viewing in this setting. Moreover, Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Crime Code, Sect. 5903 states that it is a felony offense “to display or cause any explicit sexual material… on any… viewing screen in such manner that the display is visible… in any establishment where minors, as part of the general public, may be exposed to view all or any part of such materials.” The Library staff will terminate any session that displays such material and the patron’s computer use privileges will be revoked. Printing of these materials is prohibited. In addition, Internet computers cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purposes including any activities prohibited under any applicable Federal, Pennsylvania or local law.
Internet users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium. The library cannot be responsible for any theft, fraud or invasion of privacy that may occur as a result of Internet use at the Library.
Patrons may not use the Internet at the Library for commercial or for profit purposes. In addition, patrons should be aware that some material on the Internet is copyrighted and is subject to rules and regulations regarding its use just as printed material is subject to these rules and regulations.
