Electronic Information Resources Acceptable Use Policy (Draft)

The West Haven Public Library provides access to a variety of electronic resources. These include CD-ROM products, locally mounted databases, and access to inter-networked databases. In order to encourage the responsible use of these resources by our customers, the library has established the following definitions, guidelines, and policies.

External Networks and the Internet

The West Haven Public Library provides free, limited access to resources available on the Internet. This service is available to all users of the West Haven Public Library . The library is not and does not intend to be a full-service Internet provider. Some Internet services will not be provided through the library's connections. Services which may not be available on all library Internet connections include newsgroups, chat, telnet, FTP (file transfer protocol), and personal electronic mail accounts. Customers and staff who use the library's Internet connection to access other computer systems are subject to the policies and procedures established by the administrators of those systems as well as those of the West Haven Public Library .

The library takes precautions to protect its system and equipment from viruses. However, users of any publicly accessible systems and equipment should be aware of the potential for transmission of computer viruses. Downloading is generally not available from these machines. If available, downloading   is done at your own risk. The library is not responsible for any computer viruses transmitted to customers' computers.

The library is responsible only for information pertaining directly to the library and its services. It does not control the availability of external connections to other computer systems which may change unpredictably. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Therefore, the library does not assume responsibility for the content and/or accuracy of information residing on other computer systems. Parents of minor children are responsible for supervising their children's use of the library's Internet resources.

Individual assistance on using the library's Internet connection is available upon request at the reference desk. Many staff members are able to answer questions and offer suggestions on where to search for information. However, library staff members do not provide in-depth training in the use of the Internet.

Confidentiality

In accordance with Connecticut law, the West Haven Public Library is required to protect the confidentiality of our library users' borrowing and library use records. However, patrons using the library's computers to send and receive personal messages over the Internet, if such service is provided at the library, are advised that the privacy of those communications is not guaranteed. As a precaution, users should avoid posting personal information such as home addresses, phone numbers, and credit card numbers to websites or any unknown Internet users.

Legal, Ethical and Responsible Use

Library equipment used to access electronic resources and/or networks may only be used for lawful purposes by library customers and staff. Library electronic resources should be used in accordance with the ethical standards of the library. By using library system equipment and electronic infrastructure, library customers imply their agreement to abide by the Library's Rules and Regulationsand the following list of acceptable behaviors.

• Users of electronic resources will respect the needs of other library users to do research in calm surroundings without interference from others.
• Users of electronic resources will not bring food or beverages (including water) into the library. These items can cause severe damage to equipment if spilled or dropped.
• Users are responsible for disconnecting from remote sites reached via the Internet connection on library workstations and returning to the West Haven Public Library's screen.
• Users of local or remote databases will not spend excessive amounts of time at library computers or engage in any online activity which impedes other library customers' access to electronic resources.
• Users will not cause damage to equipment, software or databases through abusive or destructive behavior.
• Children accompanying users of electronic resources are to be supervised and monitored to prevent them from playing with the equipment or otherwise causing damage.
• Parents, not library staff, are responsible for monitoring their children's use of the Internet and other electronic information resources accessed using the library's connection.
• Users are responsible for material that is accessed. The Internet may contain some material of a controversial nature.

Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Harassment or stalking of other users.
• Libeling or slandering other users.
• Destruction of, damage to, or unauthorized modification of equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other users.
• Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications.
• Unauthorized or illegal copying of copyright-protected material, a violation of US law (US Code, Title 17).
• Violation or attempted violation of computer system security. This includes rearranging or tampering with equipment or network connections in any way.
• Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to others, or any activity that is in violation of Connecticut law.
• Engaging in activity that wastes technology resources including bandwidth, file space, and printers.
• Violation of software license agreements.
• Violation of network usage policies and regulations.
• Violation of another user's privacy.
• Violation of Connecticut law by using the library's electronic systems to display explicit sexual material.

Monitoring

The Library staff monitors the use of the library's electronic resources.The Library reserves the right to interrupt activity or block access to sites that interfere with the performance of the library's computer system, conflict with authorized use of library resources or equipment, or violate local, state, or federal law.

Sanctions

Failure to use the West Haven Public Library 's electronic resource access equipment appropriately and responsibly may result in revocation of library use privileges, and may also have legal consequences.