Mineola Memorial Library

Mineola, Texas

Internet Policy

PURPOSE

The Mineola Memorial Library provides uncensored access to the Internet as one means of fulfilling its mission to “inform, empower, and enrich the lives of the people in the area it serves...” [Mission Statement, approved by the Board of Directors of Mineola Memorial Library on October 11, 2000]. all Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided to Library cardholders, non-residents, adults and minors as described in this document. It is understood that it is the individual user’s responsibility to demonstrate judgment, respect for others, and appropriate conduct while using Library resources and facilities.

Internet computers will not be used by anyone, including minors, for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, or to access materials that by local community standards would be objectionable Library employees are authorized to take prompt and appropriate actions to enforce the Rules of Conduct, and / or to prohibit use by individuals who fail to comply with the Internet Policy as stated or implied herein. Parents are responsible for their minor children’s use of the Library’s resources and facilities. Parents who believe that their minor children cannot responsibly use the Library’s Internet access are requested to monitor their children’s Internet use.

DISCLAIMER

The Mineola Memorial Library cannot control the content of resources available on the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. Nor does the Mineola Memorial Library make any attempt to censor access to the Internet through the use of filtering software. The Internet offers open access to information, ideas and commentary from around the world in an unregulated medium. As such, it offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, but also enables access to some material that some may find offensive, disturbing and / or illegal, inaccurate or incomplete. The availability of information does not constitute endorsement of the content by the Mineola Memorial Library. The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection. Library users use it at their own risk. Use of Internet resources carries with it a responsibility to evaluate the quality of the information accessed.

Access, use, or dissemination of information via the Internet in the Library is the responsibility of the user. In the case of minors, it is a joint responsibility of the user and the parent or guardian. A public library, unlike schools, does not serve in place of a parent. Librarians cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet. The responsibility for what minors read or view on the Internet rests with parents or guardians.

PRIVACY

The Mineola Memorial Library seeks to protect the First Amendment rights of its customers and their individual right to privacy. However, Internet users must be sensitive to the fact that workstations are in public areas and , therefore, images on the screen are subject to view by a wide audience.

Privacy cannot be protected because of the existing conditions. Users are urged to respect the sensibilities of others when accessing information that may reasonably be offensive to someone else. However, absolute privacy for individuals using electronic resources in the Library cannot be guaranteed. There exists a possibility of inadvertent viewing by others, either by watching the user’s screen or because a user may leave the screen unattended. The “Rules of Conduct” applies to the behavior of individuals using electronic equipment and resources. Failure to follow this policy could result in the loss of computer privileges.

Users are cautioned that the Internet is not a secure environment. Personal information included in all transactions, files and communications may be subject to unauthorized access by third parties.

The Mineola Memorial Library respects the confidentiality of those using its electronic resources and will only release library records as required by law of for the Library’s operations.

ACCEPTABLE USE

1) Minors between the ages of 12, or enrolled in Middle School, and 17 must have parental authorization to use the Internet computers unsupervised. Minors under the age of 12 will not be allowed to use the Internet computers unsupervised.

2) Internet access computers may be used to access a variety of electronic communication resources including email. Although the Library does not provide email accounts to users, Internet access computers may be used to access free email accounts available from a a variety of sources. Users, including minors, are warned that other individuals may obtain unauthorized access to personal information and / or may misrepresent themselves. Users, including minors, are advised not to share personal identification information to unknown or otherwise unverified sources via electronic communication.

3) The Library’s Internet access computers may not be used by ANY user to access inappropriate or illegal materials, including but not limited to material of an obscene nature of child pornography. In addition, minors are prohibited from accessing materials considered to be “harmful to minors”.

4) The Library’s Internet access computers may be used to access information, except as otherwise specified as unacceptable, from a variety of sources such as educational or commercial. The user is the selector of the material accessed and is therefore the responsible party. The user is responsible for complying with all restrictions governing access to specific sites. Any fees are the responsibility of the user, not the Library. In the case of minors, fees are the fiscal responsibility of the parent or guardian. In no event shall the Mineola Memorial Library have any liability for lost profits or for any direct or indirect special, punitive or consequential damages, or any livability to any third party.

WIRELESS POLICY

The Mineola Memorial Library provides free wireless Internet access. The library does not provide technical support for wireless users.

Patrons need to be aware that the wireless network is not secure. Like many public wireless hot spots, information is not encrypted and is subject to electronic eavesdropping. Wireless users are responsible for providing security for their own equipment and electronic communications.

By using the wireless network you are agreeing to comply with the library's policies concerning use of the Internet.

The library exercises no control over and will not be held responsible for user-supplied equipment or Internet content that users choose to access or create using personal equipment.

While the library strives to provide a quality wireless system, it cannot guarantee the signal quality, bandwidth availability, or general Internet site availability at any time.

RULES OF CONDUCT

1) Internet computers will not be used for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, or to access materials that by local community standards would be objectionable. (Illegal materials include, but are not limited to, obscenity and child pornography as defined in U. S. and Texas law>) Access by minors to materials deemed “harmful to minors” is prohibited. Library Administration reserves the right to determine, based on community standards, materials considered to be “harmful to minors.”

2) Installation or modification of software is prohibited.

The library is not responsible for damage to a patron’s storage device or computer, or for any loss of data, any damage or any liability that may occur from use of a public access computer.

3) Users will respect copyright laws and licensing agreements. Materials obtained or copied on the Internet may be subject to laws that govern making reproductions of copyrighted works. A work protected by copyright may not be copied without permission of the copyright owner unless the proposed use falls within the definition of “Fair Use.” Patrons are responsible for compliance with all international, national and state laws governing copyrighted materials.

4) Users will not make any attempt to misuse the computer. Misuse includes, but is not limited to, using the computer for illegal activities; hacking into the library computer system or any other computer system; interfering with systems operations, integrity or security; damaging or attempting to damage computer equipment or software; gaining unauthorized access to another person’s files; sending harassing messages to other computer users; altering or attempting to alter the library computer’s setting; and violating copyright laws and software licensing agreements. Misuse of the computer may result in the loss of computer privileges, potential loss of library privileges and possible prosecution. Damages resulting from the misuse are the responsibility of the user of in the case of minors, the parent or guardian.

5) Prompt payment is required by users who incur charges for printing or other authorized fees.

6) Users must sign up to use the Internet on a next-available-computer basis. Computers will not be “reserved” for persons who are not in the immediate vicinity when their name is called, and telephone reservations will not be taken.

7) Access sessions may be limited by time and / or use. Limits are determined by authorized library staff. Users will end their session and leave the computer when asked to do so by authorized Library staff, even if they have not completed their access session.

8) Users will respect the privacy of other library users, and will refrain from attempting to view or read material being used by others. Users are prohibited from the unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal information of others. Users are prohibited from misrepresenting oneself to others, Users including minors, are warned that other individuals may obtain unauthorized access to personal information and / or may misrepresent themselves.

9) By mutual agreement, two or more persons may share one access session as long as their behavior or conversation does not disturb other users of Library staff.

TERMINATION OR PROHIBITION OF USER ACCESS

When the Library employees believe that the user has failed to comply with the Internet Policy and / or the Rules of conduct, they are authorized to terminate any user’s access session or to prohibit a user from subsequent access for any length of time determined by the Library Director. Users are advised that due process will be used to handle violations of an illegal nature, including criminal prosecution,if necessary.

DEFINITION

Minor patrons are those patrons who have not yet reached the age of 18

GUIDANCE FOR SUPERVISING CHILDREN’S USE

The public library, unlike schools, does not serve in place of a parent. Librarians cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet. The responsibility for what minors read or view on the Internet rests with parents or guardians.

The Library has determined that compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act is not in the best interests of the community. We firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure information that is not consistent with the educational and research goals of the Library. Parents or guardians must assume responsibility for deciding which library resources are appropriate for their own children.

The following are recommended guidelines for parents and guardians to ensure that children have positive on line experiences, whether at home or in the library.

Use the Internet as a family. Join your children in Internet exploration

Explore the wide range of available information and tell your children about sites you consider inappropriate for them

Encourage children to use sites recommended by you, the parent and counsel them to avoid sites you consider unsuitable.

Provide guidelines for your children on the amount of time they spend on line, just as for television viewing.

Instruct children NEVER to give out personal information (names,address, password, telephone number, credit card number) on line.

Teach children to be good on line consumers. As with print information, consider the source, date, and accuracy of on line information.

Board approval and updated November 9, 2023