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INTRODUCTION
In response to the changing needs of the
community and advances in
technology, the Longview Public Library
endeavors to develop collections, resources
and services that meet the cultural,
informational, recreational and educational
needs of Longview's diverse community. It is
within this context that the Longview Public
Library offers access to the Internet from Public Access
computers in the library.
Have fun exploring the Internet, but please
remember that many times specific information
that is needed is often more readily available
in the library's books, magazines, databases
or through other library services such as
interlibrary loan.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLIENTS
The Longview Public Library does not
monitor or control the information accessed
through the Internet and cannot be held
responsible for its content. The Internet is a
global entity with a highly diverse user
population and content. Not all sources on the
Internet provide accurate, complete or current
information. While the Internet offers access
to a wealth of material that is personally,
professionally and culturally enriching to
individuals of all ages, it also enables
access to some material that may be offensive,
disturbing and/or illegal. Users need to be
good information consumers and question the
validity of the information that is found.
Internet access is provided on all
Public Access computers only.
Clients have access to the Internet within the guidelines outlined in
this agreement.
Parents and/or legal guardians are responsible
for the Internet information selected and/or
accessed by their children.
Parents are encouraged to work closely with
their children in selecting material that is
consistent with personal and family values.
Parents, and only parents (as agreed in the
contract for a youth library card), may
restrict their children from access to the
Internet resources accessible through the
library's Public Access computers. In the
Youth Services area, access to many
pre-selected Internet-based children's
educational and recreational resources is
provided. These services have been
chosen for their value in supporting school
projects and personal interests of children.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF LIBRARY
The library's staff has provided specific
starting points for searches on the library's
home page, which are appropriate to the
library's mission and service roles.
However, the library cannot control or monitor
this material, or other materials accessible
through Internet sources. It is not possible to
apply the same selection criteria that are
used for other materials.
Internet access is available through
numerous "search engines," each of
which has its own search criteria. The
library staff will be happy to assist you
with your Internet access, but does not
provide in-depth training concerning Internet
computer jargon or personal computer use on an
individual basis outside of Public
Training Classes.
Criteria change as systems are upgraded and
replaced and library staff cannot predict nor
have knowledge of these proprietary systems.
The Internet is an ever-changing information
environment. The library looks forward to
assisting you in getting to the places you want
to go on the Internet.
GUIDELINES FOR ACCESS
General Conditions
- Internet access is limited to Public
Access computers. Computers set
aside for the Library Catalog, Pharos
reservation management system, and public
printing may not be used by the public to
access the Internet.
- Patrons will use their library card
number and password to logon onto Public
Access computers. Guests, people
using the library without a library card,
may "check out" a guest card
from the Circulation Desk, or Youth Desk
if they are using a computer in the Youth
Department, by leaving a picture ID at the
desk while using the computer. The
picture ID will be returned when the guest
card is returned.
- Patrons and guests are agreeing to abide
by the "Computer
Acceptable Use Policy" when they
log onto any Public Access computer. The
"Computer Acceptable Use Policy"
is displayed on all public computers prior
to log on and is included here for
clarification. See sidebar on the
right.
- Most Public Access computers are available on a
first-come, first-served basis with a time
limit of 30 minutes that can be extended except
when other clients are waiting.
The Pharos reservation management
system is used to control computer
availability. Waiting clients can use this
system to request a computer up to two
days in advance.
- The following Public Access computers
have special restrictions:
- The public computer located in the Local
History Department is for use by genealogy
patrons and those using the public
scanner;
- Only teenagers (people age 13 to 18) are
allowed to use the teen computer located
near the teen section of the library and
labeled as "Teens Age 13-18
Only";
- Only adults who are accompanied by minors
(people age 17 or younger) in the Youth
Department, are
allowed to use Youth Public Access computers;
- Youth and Broughton Branch Public Access
computers are available for 30 minute
sessions only unless working on school
assignments (ask staff to set up a
reservation).
- The following is not available on the
library's computer system: e-mail
accounts, homepage accounts, Internet relay chat groups, or any service
which requires a subscription or fees paid,
unless previously contracted for by the
library staff.
- Clients may not install any software on library
computers.
Ethical Use
- Users may not use the workstations to
gain access to the library's networks or
computer systems or to any other network
or computer system.
- Users may not obstruct other people's
work by consuming large amounts of system
resources or by deliberately crashing any
library computer system.
- Users may not make any attempt to alter
software configurations.
- Users may not attempt to cause
degradation of system performance.
- Users may not engage in any activity
which is deliberately and maliciously
offensive, libelous, or slanderous.
- Users may not make any attempt to
deliberately and knowingly introduce a
computer virus.
- Users may not use any workstation to
operate a business.
Legal Use
- Users may not make any attempt to damage
computer equipment or software.
- Users may not use any library
workstation for any illegal or criminal
purpose.
- Users may not violate copyright laws or
software licensing agreements in their use
of Library workstations.
- Users may not send, receive, or display
text or graphics which could be
characterized as obscene, violent or
otherwise inappropriate as defined in the
following state and municipal codes:
- Texas Penal Code 43:24: Sale,
Distribution, or Display of Harmful
Material to Minor: (b) a person commits an
offense if, knowing that the material is
harmful: (2) he displays harmful material
and is reckless about whether a minor is
present who will be offended or alarmed by
the display. (Full copy is available at
the Information Desk)
- City of Longview Code of Ordinance,
Section 58-81: Obscene publications,
exhibitions, moving pictures, etc and Sec.
58-81.1 Display of obscene publications by
establishments open to persons under
eighteen (Full copy is available at the
Information Desk)
- Service Policy of the Longview Public
Library, adopted by the Longview City
Council. Section VI.C.2 Disruptive
Behavior. (Full copy available at the
Information Desk)
THE LIBRARY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE
THE INTERNET ACCESS PRIVILEGES OF ANY PERSON
ABUSING THESE RULES
COPYRIGHT
U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code)
prohibits the unauthorized reproduction of
copyrighted materials, except as permitted by
the principles of "fair use."
Users may not copy or distribute electronic
material without explicit permission of the
copyright holder.
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