Internet Acceptable Use Policy
Peoria Public Library System
Purpose:
Peoria Public Library provides access to the Internet in
support of the Library’s role as Peoria’s leading public
provider of information and life long learning.
The Internet is a global electronic network which is not
regulated by any local, state, federal or international
authority.
The Internet offers access to a wealth of information that
can be personally, professionally and culturally enriching.
But, because the Internet is a vast and unregulated
information network, it may also provide access to ideas,
information, images and commentary that are beyond the
confines of the Library's collection, mission, selection
criteria and collection development policies. Because of
this access and because sites on the Internet change often,
rapidly and unpredictably, the Library cannot protect users
from information and images which they might find offensive
or disturbing.
Not all information available on the Internet is accurate,
current or complete. Users are encouraged to use critical
judgment when evaluating the validity of information
accessed via the Internet. The Library assumes no
responsibility for any direct, indirect, or consequential
damages resulting from its connections to the Internet.
When using a Library computer, complete privacy cannot be
guaranteed. Users are cautioned that the Library computers
on which the public can access the Internet are located in
public areas which must be shared by library users of all
ages, backgrounds and sensibilities. Individuals are asked
to consider this and to respect the sensibilities of others
when accessing potentially offensive information and images.
Use of library terminals for viewing or disseminating R and
X rated images is not permitted.
Sign in logs and any other information that can be used to
identify a user with specific date, files, or programs, or
other electronic materials, are considered by Peoria Public
Library to be confidential and shall not be shared with
anyone other than the user. Such records shall not be
available to any agency of local, state, or federal
government except pursuant to such process, order, or
subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and
pursuant to, local, state, or federal law relating to
criminal, civil, or administrative procedures or legislative
investigative power.
Users are cautioned that because security in an electronic
environment such as the Internet cannot be guaranteed, all
transactions, files, and communication are vulnerable to
unauthorized access and use, and therefore, should be
considered public.
Child Safety on the Internet
Peoria Public Library supports parents and guardians in
their efforts to guide their children's access to print,
non-print, and electronic information. Children who use the
Internet unsupervised may be exposed to inappropriate or
disturbing information and images. Parents are encouraged to
discuss the use of the Internet with their children in
relation to family values and boundaries, and to monitor
their children's use of the Internet. As a public
institution open to use by minors, the library restricts
access to certain materials as described in the Arizona
Harmful to Minors Act, (ARS 13-3501, 13-3506, 13-3507,
13-3508). Violation of this law is a Class 6 felony.
To help parents, the Library has available print and online
materials about the Internet, including Child Safety on the
Information Highway and other information on the educational
use of the Internet. Parents are encouraged to review this
information with their children.
User Responsibilities
All Internet resources accessible through the Library are
provided equally to all Library customers. However, use of
the Internet must be compatible with the Mission of the
Library. It is the responsibility of each user to be guided
by the following principles:
• Respect for the privacy and sensibilities of other users
• Attention to the legal protection provided by copyright
and license to programs and data
• Consideration for the integrity of computing systems (for
example, users must not intentionally develop programs to
harass other users or to infiltrate a computer or computing
system, or develop programs that may damage or alter the
software components of this or other computing systems)
• Further examples of unacceptable use include, but are not
limited to, the following:
• Damaging or destroying equipment, software, or data
belonging to the Library or to other users
• Unauthorized copying of copyrighted material
• Violating software license agreements
• Violating computer system or network integrity
• Using the Internet for any illegal activity
Compliance with Library Policy and Guidelines
In addition to this specific policy, general guidelines for
the use of all public-access computers govern the use of the
Internet in the Library. Violation of the policies and
regulations that govern the use of the Library's Internet
resources may result in suspension or loss of the privilege
to use these resources. Any illegal activity involving the
Library's Internet resources will be subject to prosecution
by the appropriate authorities.
The Library will provide primary access to the Internet
through the World Wide Web via the Microsoft
Explorer/Netscape Communicator graphical browser, which also
includes other Internet-searching capabilities such as
telnet (which creates a direct connection between a
workstation and a remote site such as another library's
catalog), ftp (file transfer protocol, or the ability to
download files from remote sites to one's own computer) and
gopher (menu-driven browsing of telnet and ftp sites).
Usenet newsgroups, however, are not available to customers
through the Library. Patrons wishing to obtain e-mail
accounts should contact an Internet Service Provider.
Users will not be able to dial into the Library's Internet
computers from remote sites. Users may not download data to
any Library computer hard drive.
Due to security concerns, library patrons may not use
compact discs in the public access computing labs.
While Library staff are happy to assist users in accessing
the Internet, each user is nevertheless responsible for his
or her own search. Staff cannot provide in-depth personal
training in the use of the Internet or of personal
computers.
Peoria Public Library gratefully acknowledges those public
libraries from which it received advice in developing this
policy, and from which it adapted some of the language used
in it. Thanks are owed to Dallas Public Library, Seattle
Public Library, and, in Arizona, Glendale Public Library and
Scottsdale Public Library.
